One of the most common pests that we deal with as a pest control company and Broken Arrow Exterminator is cockroaches. These insects can find their way into homes looking for food, water, and shelter. Cockroaches can contaminate food and surfaces, so keeping them under control is an important part of household sanitation. Your Broken Arrow Exterminator can help you do this. In this article, let’s take a good look at cockroaches and what you can do about them.
Several cockroach species can become pests in Oklahoma homes. Four that are commonly encountered in pest-control situations are German, brown-banded, American, and Oriental cockroaches. Each behaves somewhat differently, which is why correct identification matters.
The first is the German cockroach. These small cockroaches are generally light brown to tan and are identified by two dark, parallel stripes on the pronotum, the shield-like area directly behind the head. German cockroaches commonly infest kitchens and other areas where food and moisture are readily available. They can hide in cracks, cabinets, appliances, and other protected areas near food preparation surfaces.
The brown-banded cockroach is another indoor pest. It gets its name from the two lighter-colored bands that cross the wings and abdomen. Unlike German cockroaches, brown-banded cockroaches often favor warmer, drier locations and may be found higher on walls, in furniture, or behind wall hangings and other objects.
Next is the American cockroach, one of the largest cockroach species commonly encountered around structures. It often lives in warm, moist areas such as sewers, drains, basements, and utility areas and can enter buildings through plumbing pathways, gaps, and other openings. American cockroaches are scavengers and can feed on many types of organic material, including food when it is available.
Oriental cockroaches are another species that may enter homes from damp outdoor or utility areas. They are frequently associated with cool, moist locations such as drains, basements, crawl spaces, and areas with decaying organic matter. Oklahoma State University Extension provides information about cockroach identification, biology, sanitation, and control.
Cockroaches can feed on decaying organic material and other unsanitary sources. As they move between contaminated areas and kitchens or food-preparation surfaces, they can mechanically carry bacteria and other microorganisms. This is one reason sanitation, exclusion, and effective cockroach control are important.
Cockroaches also molt as they develop, shedding their exoskeletons. Cockroach body fragments, shed skins, and fecal material can contribute allergens to indoor dust and can aggravate asthma in susceptible people. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies cockroach allergens as an indoor asthma trigger and recommends reducing food, water, hiding places, and cockroach populations.
It’s important to address cockroach problems quickly, especially when an indoor species such as the German cockroach is reproducing inside the home. Your Broken Arrow Exterminator can identify the species, determine where it is living, and choose an appropriate treatment plan. Call TermMax Pest Control today if you need help getting a cockroach problem under control.
