pests

Roaches have been around since the dawn of time and they undoubtedly have their place in the ecosystem, but that place isn’t your home.  Roaches are nocturnal insects and you won’t see them running around in the light of day.  The most common roach is the German Roach, and if you have ever found a roach in your home that is the species.  Roaches can hide anywhere, under your floor, behind and under appliances, in the walls and a bunch of other inaccessible spaces.  Roach infestations can be really hard to detect and getting rid of roaches can be even harder.

Preventing Roaches in Your Home:

1. Keep it Clean: Keeping your home clean isn’t just for appearances it keeps bugs away.  Keeping food containers sealed, cleaning counters of crumbs and food, clean the floors and take out the trash.  All of these will help keep roaches away.
2. Seal Your Home: Older houses have cracks between walls, pipes, windows and doors, all of that gives roaches the opportunity to enter your property. Grab some sealant and get rid of the cracks.
3. Get Rid of Packaging: Roaches can come in on food packaging or boxes that get brought into your home.  Break them down and put them in the trash or recycling bin immediately.
4. Get Rid of the Damp: Many insects, including roaches like damp spaces.  That’s why you frequently find them in the bathroom or the kitchen.  You can get a dehumidifier or products like Damprid to take the moisture from the room.

Signs of an Infestation:

1. Musty Smell: When you have roaches they leave behind droppings that emit a pheromone meant to attract other roaches. That pheromone typically smells musty.
2. Eggs: You may find roach eggs that are light-colored and oval-shaped.
3. Movement: When you first enter a room and see movement out of the corner of your eye, it could very well be roaches.
4. Roach Shells: Roaches shed their exoskeletons a couple of times throughout their lives and you can find the leftover skins throughout your home.
5. Damages: Roaches aren’t as bad as rats or termites but they will eat just about anything so you may find evidence of roaches

Dealing with a Roach Infestation

Roaches need to be taken seriously even if you only see one of them.  One roach can produce thousands of roaches over a year.  Roaches can transmit diseases, contaminate your food and they can trigger asthma attacks.  Call an exterminator the minute you see the first roach, where there is one there is undoubtedly more.