Cockroach Identification & Prevention

Cockroaches are unwelcome and dangerous pests. They have an oval-shaped body, long antennae, six legs, and may or may not have fully developed wings, depending on the species. Even if the cockroach has wings, you are more likely to see them running from place to place than flying.

German cockroaches and American cockroaches are two of the main species living in our area and invading our homes and businesses. Both are unwelcome and dangerous pests. German cockroaches are light brown to tan in color with two horizontal dark stripes behind the head. They are a small species and have adapted to living mainly indoors. American cockroaches are much larger. They are the largest structure invading roach living in the United States. The body of an American cockroach is reddish-brown with faded yellow edges on the thorax. Adults grow to be between one and a half and two inches long.

Cockroaches pose a danger to your health and the health of your family and personal belongings stored inside your home. Both American cockroaches and German cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces with diseases and parasites that make people ill.

Diseases spread by cockroaches include:

• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Gastroenteritis
• Dysentery

Shed skins and feces trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in those susceptible, especially young children. The cockroach’s feeding habits also cause them to destroy paper and fabric items. They create unpleasant odors and stain walls, floors, upholstered furniture, and more with their excrement.

Cockroaches move into homes and other structures on their own while foraging for food or after accidentally being introduced inside in something like a delivery box, grocery bag, used appliance, or used piece of furniture. In addition to food, moisture attracts cockroaches. Homes with clogged gutters, leaky pipes, damaged foundations, and poor drainage are more susceptible to cockroaches than a home with no moisture issues present.

Areas that are high in humidity and temperature attract both American and German cockroaches. Inside, cockroaches move to kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to meet their moisture and temperature needs. They also hide in cabinets, drawers, behind appliances, in wall voids, and crawlspaces.

German cockroaches rarely live outside, but American cockroaches do. American roaches usually only move inside if the weather dictates it or while in search of food. Outside, large American cockroaches live in tree hollows, the soil under shrubs, mulch, woodpiles, garbage piles, or near sewers or drains.

The smartest way to eliminate cockroaches and other pests from your property is to partner with Smart Pest Control. We deliver pest control solutions in Costa Mesa that are comprehensive and detailed, ensuring we get to the root of your pest problem and solve it completely.

To learn more about how our locally owned company will protect your property from pests, reach out to Smart Pest Control today. We can work together to ensure your Costa Mesa home or business becomes and stays free of pests, we guarantee it! Call today to learn more about our cockroach control solutions!

The professionals at Smart Pest Control can help you prevent problems with cockroaches and other pests. In addition, use the following tips to help prevent future problems with cockroaches.

• Make sure trash cans both inside and outside your home have tight-fitting lids.

• Empty indoor trash cans daily and have trash removed from your property every week.

• After eating, quickly clean up leftover food.

• Wash dirty dishes every evening and wipe crumbs from tables and counters.

• Vacuum floors regularly.

• Reduce a cockroach’s access to food by limiting eating to kitchen and dining areas only.

• Cockroaches are active at night; every evening, pick up uneaten pet food.

• Reduce humidity levels in your home by repairing leaky pipes and using dehumidifiers.

• Eliminate entry points into your home by sealing up holes in exterior walls and the foundation.

• Make sure open doors and windows have intact screens.