Cockroaches are one of the most common pests to invade homes and businesses, and they multiply quickly. If you don’t treat cockroaches at the first sign of problems, you can find yourself with a full blown infestation in no time at all.
Over 15 kinds of cockroaches are found in South Carolina, but only a few of these may make their way into your home. Some of the most common types of cockroaches in South Carolina include the German cockroach, the American cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach, and the Australian cockroach.
An adult cockroach measures between 1 and 5 centimeters in length, and ranges in color from black to reddish-brown. Most species found in South Carolina have wings, but cannot sustain flight for any meaningful length of time. Instead, they scurry from place to place – up to 11 inches per second! Cockroaches have six legs, and a pair of long antennae. Their oval-shaped, flattened body is perfect for hiding in small cracks. Cockroaches aren’t known for making noise, so you’re not likely to hear them moving about.
Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, which means they’re more active once the sun sets. If you spot a cockroach during the day time, it’s safe to assume there are many more hiding within your building and you should contact a professional pest control company immediately to help deal with the problem. Even though they come out at night, they can sense our vibrations and will run and hide, making them difficult to spot no matter the time of day.
Why Do I Have a Cockroach Problem?
Like many other pests, cockroaches make their way into homes and businesses in search of food and water, and to escape the elements. Trash, compost, pet food, and outdoor eating areas are all attractive feeding grounds for foraging cockroaches. They especially love to eat meats, starches, sugars, and fatty foods. Unfortunately, in the absence of available food, they may eat household items such as soap, glue, and toothpaste.
If there are any cracks in the walls of your home, cockroaches can easily slip through and make their way inside. Once established, they multiply quickly, which can make them difficult to treat. Signs of cockroaches include finding piles of feces that resemble coffee grounds or specks of pepper.
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Cockroaches are considered beneficial for their role in breaking down decaying matter and putting nutrients back into the soil. However, species that invade homes and businesses can be dangerous and unwanted pests. If you suspect you have a cockroach infestation, it’s important to call in a professional right away.
What Sort of Problems Do Cockroaches Cause?
Cockroaches can cause a number of problems, including:
- Spreading salmonella and other bacteria
- Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Triggering allergic reactions
- Causing asthma attacks, coughing, and wheezing
- Contaminating food
- Damaging personal items
- Skin rashes
How Worried Should I Be About Cockroaches?
There’s no sugar coating it, cockroaches are a serious problem and you should be pretty concerned if you suspect you have an infestation. Not only are they gross to look at, they can cause some serious health issues if a problem is not addressed quickly.
Where Do You Find Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are a highly adaptable pest, taking up residence anywhere there’s enough food, moisture, and heat to support them. Cockroaches seek out warm, damp environments in close proximity to sources of food and water – basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms that contain sewer pipes or other plumbing are all ideal habitats. Unfortunately, that means they’re frequently coming into homes and businesses. Restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, warehouses, and shipyards are all popular cockroach hideouts. During the day, most cockroaches tend to hide away in tight spaces around refrigerators, stoves, sinks, or in the walls. This can make it difficult to know if you have a cockroach problem.
How Do I Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Depending on the type of cockroach infestation you have, there are several different ways to treat the problem. A professional exterminator will know not only where roaches may be hiding, but also what type of treatment you need. There are at-home remedies that you can use to get rid of cockroaches, such as sticky traps, baits, sprays, and dusts, but these methods are often not as effective – and don’t completely eliminate cockroaches – as professional pest control treatment.
How Do I Prevent Cockroaches From Coming Back?
Preventing cockroaches from coming back is a multi-step process that takes a few measures:
- Eliminate food sources. Keep kitchens clean, vacuum regularly, ensure all food containers are tightly sealed, and keep trash emptied. Clean up any crumbs and spills promptly.
- Eliminate water sources. Fix leaky pipes and faucets, don’t allow water to stand in tubs, showers, or sinks, and keep pet water dishes emptied and dried overnight.
- Eliminate shelter. Seal any cracks around baseboards, door frames, and window frames, and seal any holes around pipes and light fixtures.
- Eliminate moisture. Dry out basements using dehumidifiers and ventilate crawl spaces to help reduce dampness and eliminate moisture.
- Eliminate clutter. Cockroaches are experts at hide-and-seek. Removing clutter can help make them easier to spot as they’ll have fewer hiding places.
At Putman Pest Management, we know cockroaches. We know how to identify them and we know how best to treat an infestation. We also know how to prevent cockroaches from coming back. Even if you’re not sure what type of cockroach you’re dealing with, we can help. Explore our pest library to learn how to identify common pests like cockroaches, what attracts them to your property, how to get rid of them, and how to keep them out. From common house bugs to tiny pests and crawling insects, our pest control services keep your home or office pest-free. Simple and safe, our treatments offer convenient protection that will treat and prevent cockroaches. Contact us today for your free estimate.
