The unfortunate truth about many pests is that when they are out in the wild, they are beneficial to the world around them; however, when they come into homes, they pose all sorts of threats to the humans who live in them. One such pest, here in Turks & Caicos, is the cockroach. While out in the world, cockroaches feed on decaying organic material and return nutrients to the soil. However, once cockroaches invade homes, they can contaminate surfaces and spread a wealth of diseases. As such, you need to know the steps that you can take to keep cockroaches out of your Turks & Caicos home. After all, the health of your family could depend on it.
Identifying Common Area Cockroaches
While all cockroaches share some common characteristics — such as having six spine-covered legs, long antennae, and oval-shaped bodies — they vary in size and color depending on the species. Here in Turks & Caicos, three common home-invading cockroach species are German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and brown-banded cockroaches.
German Cockroach
German cockroaches are a light-brown color and feature two black stripes on their backs, just behind their heads. They generally grow to be anywhere from half an inch to five-eighths of an inch long. These cockroaches prefer to live in humid areas, close to food and water sources.
American Cockroach
American cockroaches are reddish-brown and feature a pale-yellow figure-eight pattern on the back of their heads. American cockroaches generally grow to be anywhere from an inch long to two and an eighth inches. Male and female American cockroaches have wings and can fly for short distances, though they do not do so very often.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches have dark brown bodies with light-brown bands running across them, and they can grow to be a half an inch long. While the males have large wings and are capable of flying, the females have underdeveloped wings that prohibit them from taking flight.
What Attracts Cockroaches Into Homes?
More often than not, cockroaches enter a home because there is easy access to food, water, and shelter. Therefore, food stored improperly, leaky pipes, and unsecured or overflowing trash bins could all be possible causes for cockroaches entering your home.
Additionally, once they are inside, cockroaches aren’t just unsightly pests; they can spread all sorts of diseases, including salmonella, E. coli, dysentery, typhoid fever, and gastroenteritis.
How To Prevent Cockroaches From Entering Your Home
When it comes to keeping cockroaches out of your home, your main goal should be to take away as many factors that attract them to your home as possible. Additionally, sealing off any potential entry points can help keep these dangerous pests out of your house.
To keep cockroaches out of your home, you should:
- Store all food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Wipe up any spills from countertops and floors immediately.
- Refrain from keeping dirty dishes stacked in the sink for long periods.
- Take out the trash regularly.
- Store trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures in your home.
- Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels low around your home.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Install weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
The Most Effective Cockroach Control Solution
If you do find yourself dealing with a cockroach infestation in your home, don’t delay in calling the professionals here at Parkway Pest Solutions. Our trained pest technicians have the experience and the expertise needed to eliminate any cockroach infestation effectively. Additionally, we will work with you to ensure your home is safe from future infestations. Don’t let these invasive pests overrun your home. Give us a call now.