Cockroaches

American Cockroaches

The American Cockroach is one of the most common and largest cockroaches we find. They’re often called a palmetto bug and a waterbug even though they’re not acquatic. Generally, they have a light reddish-brown color and they can grow up to 2″ long. They have large antennae, six legs, and a yellow colored figure eight pattern on the back of their head. Being such a large cockroach, these can be very disturbing to find around the house. 

Brown Banded Cockroach

These are one of the smallest cockroaches, only growing to about 14 mm in length. They get their name from the light brown bands that run across their wings/back. This species prefer a warm, dry climate so you’ll often find them in cabinets, pantries, and are usually found in home attics. 

German Cockroach

The German cockroach is another smaller species of cockroach, growing to only 1.1 to 1.6 cm in length. They vary in color from tan to a very dark, almost black color. This species prefer warm and humid environments where both food and water are plentiful. You’ll often find them in commercial kitchens and restaurants that aren’t getting regular pest control. 

Oriental Cockroach

The Oriental cockroach is also called a waterbug and black beetle, is another large species of cockroach and grows to 1″ in length. They’re shiny and dark in color hence the name “black beetle”. They are often found near water sources and prefer to be outdoors. You will sometimes find them indoors during the summer months when they’re searching for damp, cool environments. 

How Serious Is a Cockroach Problem? 

Cockroaches can carry and transmit a number of harmful diseases and bacteria. They roam in some pretty gross areas like sewers, drain pipes, garbage, dead animals, etc. and then they make their way into your home. They can contaminate your food sources, unensils, plates, and any kitchen surface in your home. The bacteria they transmit can cause diarrhea, salmonella, and a few other less than desirable diseases. They can also shed skins and trigger allergies for those with sensitivities. They lay many eggs, permeate all areas of your home and a small cockroach problem can turn into an infestation very quickly. If you see one, there are more and it will become a much larger problem so you should call immediately to have your home or business treated. 

How Did I Get Cockroaches?

Cockroaches, like all pests need food, water, and shelter. The type of cockroach you have will help to determine how they entered your home. For example, if you have brown banded cockroaches, they may have gained entry through small gaps that gave them access to the attic. The Oriental cockroach probably came through a pipe somewhere, and of course, all of them could simply walk in by going under the door or through a crack in the wall. There are many ways to get them which is why its important to have a year-round pest control plan that keeps them away permanently. 

Where Will I Find Them?

Cockroaches are nocturnal so you will almost never see them during the day. In fact, if you do see them during the day, its an almost sure sign you have an infestation on your hands. However, you can look around the house for signs. You may smell a musty odor, you’ll likely see signs of excrement in cabinets, and you may find discarded skins in these same areas. You may also want to check your attic and other darker spaces in the house. You can move some things around to see if they’re hiding underneath them as well. 

How Do I Get Rid Of Cockroaches?

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen signs of cockroaches or possibly even seen a cockroach in your house. If that’s the case, chances are that you either have an infestation or you’re verging on having one. The best thing to do is call a professional pest control company like Big Dave’s Termite & Pest. We have affordable year-round pest control solutions that keep cockroaches as well as all other general pests out of your home at all times. We have decades of experience in pest control throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and the surrounding areas so we know pests here like the back of our hand. We’ll find the problem, treat it, and put safe measures in place to keep them away all year. Give us a call now.