If you live in West Chester, residents are most likely to encounter five different cockroach species, such as:
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German cockroaches: Not only do they reproduce more quickly than most other cockroaches, but German cockroaches are the most common roach species in the country. You can usually identify them by the dark stripes behind their heads.
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American cockroaches: Growing up to three inches long, American cockroaches, which also go by palmetto bugs and water bugs, are the largest roach you’ll find your home.
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Brown-banded cockroaches: With dark bands encircling their bodies, brown-banded roaches prefer to stay outdoors if they can.
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Oriental cockroaches: With dark, glossy bodies, Oriental cockroaches are almost as large as American cockroaches.
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Wood cockroaches: While they usually prefer the outdoors and aren’t known to contaminate food, wood roaches can still occasionally end up in houses.
Unfortunately, cockroaches are one pest that’s far from easy to go toe-to-toe with – not only can they hold their breath underwater for up to forty minutes, but they also tend to be resistant to pesticides. Their formidability can make them tricky for homeowners to eradicate. Here’s what you should know about cockroaches, why they’re so difficult to get rid of, and what you can do about your existing cockroach problem.
How Dangerous Are Cockroaches?
While most people can admit that cockroaches are gross or unpleasant to look at, a lot of homeowners don’t realize how unsanitary these pests truly are. Decaying and organic matter is part of a cockroach’s diet, and before they end up in homes, these critters may crawl through drains, sewers, and other unsanitary places that make it easy for them to pick up harmful pathogens.
Cockroaches aren’t associated with specific diseases like some pests are, but their unsanitary nature can still become dangerous for you and your family in these ways:
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They can spread pathogens: Cockroaches can pick up dangerous bacteria, like salmonellosis, streptococcus, or staphylococcus, and then contaminate your home with these pathogens. These roaches may do this by crawling across kitchen counters or other surfaces where you prepare food, by entering food packages directly, or even scratching you with one of their heavy leg spines.
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They can make allergies or asthmatic symptoms worse: There’s an enzyme found in roach saliva and droppings that may worsen asthmatic symptoms or cause allergic reactions in some people, especially younger children. The bigger the infestation is, the more likely it is that a family member will have issues with allergies.
Are Cockroaches Difficult To Get Rid Of?
When discovering a cockroach infestation, many homeowners make the mistake of attempting to solve the problem on their own – usually through the use of pesticides or traps. While these solutions may kill some of the roaches in your home, cockroaches are still extremely difficult to completely eliminate. Often DIY techniques are effective with some, but not all, of a population.
Firstly, cockroaches reproduce quickly. Female cockroaches produce egg cases, which can often hold over thirty roach eggs at once. Certain species, like the German cockroach, are even known for the way they reproduce and create infestations more quickly. Despite how fast they breed, cockroaches are still excellent at hiding, and their presence can go undetected for months. Even if you discover your roach problem and try to eliminate them on your own, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find every single roach. The survivors will just relocate to a better hiding spot and start regrowing their numbers.
The best way to combat cockroaches in West Chester is through professional help from Masters Touch Pest Solutions. If you suspect that you’ve got a cockroach problem and you’re spotting signs of their presence, there’s no reason to wait for the infestation to get worse. Contact us at Masters Touch Pest Solutions today for total cockroach elimination.
How To Prevent Cockroaches In West Chester
Besides using professional pest control assistance, there are a couple of tips and tricks you can use to try and prevent cockroaches in your home, such as:
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Keeping any food in your home, including pet food, in sealed containers or packaging
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Identify tiny holes or gaps in your home’s foundation and use a sealant to block them off
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Not leaving dirty dishes lying in your sink overnight or for long periods of time
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Decluttering your home as often as you can, including storage areas like basements and garages
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Removing yard debris from your backyard regularly and inspecting any items before you bring them inside
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Dealing with moisture issues as soon as you notice them, like leaky faucets or obstructed gutters
Prevention steps are a great start in cockroach control. For more advice or assistance contact the experts at Masters Touch Pest Solutions.
