Pest Spotlight: American Cockroaches In Frisco
Are you familiar with the insect known as the American cockroach? Do you know that this species is found throughout the world? Do you know that it does not originate from America but is actually tracked back to the middle east and parts of Asia? Okay. Those cockroach facts and $9 will get you a cup of coffee. You didn't come here to learn fun facts, right? You want to know how to keep American cockroaches out of your home and how to apply cockroach pest control in Frisco to keep your home roach-free. Today, we'll tell you some quick tips to help you identify American cockroaches and keep these and other cockroaches out of your Frisco home. We'll also briefly discuss the risks of having roaches in your home and how professionals deal with cockroach infestations and ongoing prevention. If you currently have an infestation and you're at the end of your rope, you can contact us immediately for assistance with the cockroaches in your home. You don't have to read an article about roaches to solve a roach problem.
American Cockroach Identification Tips For The Home
You likely know what American cockroaches look like because they're well-known pests, though you may call them palmetto bugs or waterbugs. These are common names used for these common roaches. If you are unfamiliar, here are a few quick identifying features:
- Adult cockroaches of this species are between 1 ¼ and 2 ⅛ inches in length. They are the largest cockroaches that get into structures in Frisco. If you find a cockroach in your house that is larger than an inch, you may assume it is an American cockroach.
- Adult American cockroaches have a yellow thorax with brown spots on it, which may look like a figure eight pattern. These two brown spots on yellow are between the head and the wings.
- Male and female roaches of this species have wings that hang past the abdomen.
- Nymphs (young roaches) don't have wings. They grow from tiny yellowish-orange insects to large reddish and wingless insects before eventually becoming winged adults. Nymphs run at the same speed as adults. If you see fast-moving roach-like insects in your home, they're not another pest. They're definitely roaches.
American cockroaches can fly and may take to the air on hot, humid days. Most of the time, they skitter across the ground or floor, hide under stuff, and squeeze through tiny gaps to get into homes, but on a hot day, watch out for these pests fluttering past you to enter your home.
How Serious Is This American Cockroach Infestation?
All cockroaches can spread germs and allergens, but some species are worse (or better) than others. The dirty cockroaches in Frisco are Oriental Cockroaches. They're the black ones. The cleanest roaches are wood roaches, though they're not entirely clean. American cockroaches fall in the middle.
Another factor to consider is how difficult a cockroach infestation is to correct. Once again, American cockroaches fall in the middle. The worst of all cockroach pests are German cockroaches. They are tan roaches with the dark equal sign on their backs. If you find German roaches in your home, contact Adams Exterminating Company for immediate assistance.
The bottom line with American cockroaches is that they're persistent pests that are attracted to filthy things. You can expect these roaches to continually appear in your home and occasionally make you sick. If someone in your home battles with asthma, take immediate action to deal with any cockroach infestation. Cockroach infestations increase hospitalizations for asthma-related symptoms.
Why Choose Adams Exterminating?
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Trained Entomologists & Service TechniciansOur team brings a deep understanding of insect biology and behavior to create targeted pest control strategies. We're equipped with the latest techniques and technologies to effectively eliminate pests.
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Customized Plans for Every BudgetRecognizing that each space is different, we customize pest control services for every home or business. Our approach involves targeted solutions, addressing specific needs for your environment.
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Trusted in the Community Since 1947With a legacy dating back to 1947, our pest control company brings decades of experience with a proven track record to keep your space critter-free.
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Locally Owned & OperatedAs a locally owned business with offices in both Denton and Lewisville, we are rooted in the community and dedicated to serving our neighbors with personalized service.
Six Simple Tips To Prevent American Cockroaches
Now that you know a little about cockroach identification, it is time to discuss prevention. Knowing how to deter cockroaches will help to naturally prevent an infestation within your home. If you already have roaches in your home, don't worry. These tips can also help you drive roaches out of your home.
1. Sanitation.
American cockroaches are attracted to rotting organic matter. If something stinks, you can expect these insects to investigate. Keeping things clean removes the attractant that lures roaches to your home and makes them want to live inside your home. It also removes potential food options.
- Get trash to the curb and clean your receptacles if they start to smell funky.
- Clean up dog waste in the yard.
- Deep clean your home to remove food debris, grease, oil, hair, dead skin, and other attractants.
- Clean spills immediately.
Everything you do to keep things clean will have an impact on cockroaches. They prefer unsanitary environments. Applying sanitation will also reduce the risk of roaches spreading germs.
2. Moisture Control
American cockroaches are called waterbugs because they hang out near ponds, puddles, and other water sources. Addressing moisture issues will help reduce cockroach activity around your home and reduce the chances that roaches will get inside. Moisture control can also drive roaches out of your home. No self-respecting roach is going to want to live in a dry home. Here are some tips to help with keeping things dry.
- Clean your gutters and fix any areas that are broken. Doing this reduces ground saturation after it rains.
- Trim your landscaping. Vegetation can trap moisture. Remove weeds and unnecessary plants in your landscaping to keep things open and dry.
- Water your plants in the morning to allow the sun plenty of time to dry moisture before nightfall.
- Fix leaking faucets, showerheads, pipes, and plumbing. These provide moisture for roaches to drink and elevate humidity.
- Install a dehumidifier in areas of your home that stay humid.
It might seem like a small matter, but moisture and humidity control has a big impact on American cockroaches.
3. Hiding Places
There are many places American cockroaches hide outside and inside your home. Let's look at a few of the places and why cockroaches are drawn to them.
- Stay on top of yard work. American cockroaches have a fairly high moisture requirement, as we pointed out. For this reason, they're attracted to leaf litter and leaf piles. These trap moisture underneath and shield cockroaches from the sun.
- Move objects away from your exterior and clean cluttered spaces within your home. American cockroaches are big but they like to squeeze into incredibly tight spaces. They are attracted to any object sitting on the ground because they want to squish underneath it.
- Clean cluttered spaces in your home. American cockroaches are thigmotactic/ They will love your home if there are lots of tight spaces to hide.
Some hiding places also offer a food source, such as stacks of cardboard, paper, or clothing. Keep this in mind as you remove piles and declutter your home.
4. Exclusion Work
American cockroaches don't create entry points; they exploit existing entry points. When you roll your sleeves up and seal gaps, cracks, and holes, you create a physical barrier to stop these roaches in their tracks.
- Seal gaps around plumbing on the inside and outside of your home. The pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Use a can of expanding foam for a quick and messy fix.
- Fill in rotting wood holes. Cockroaches are attracted to moisture and organic materials. They will get into wood holes if you let them.
- Make sure weatherstripping, door sweeps, and screens are working properly. If not, make repairs.
It is hard work to apply exclusions, but remember that your hard work will do more than keep cockroaches out. Many pests get into your home through tiny gaps.
5. Sticky Traps
While sticky traps are inadequate for arresting a cockroach infestation, they can help you detect cockroach activity and monitor the success of your prevention efforts. We don't have a bullet list for this one. Place sticky traps in secluded spaces that tend to stay dry. If cockroaches pass through, you'll find some on your sticky traps.
6. Pest Control Service
When you want the best prevention possible, it pays to get a professional pest control service plan. Professionals apply granular products to reduce pest activity in your yard, liquid application to prevent roaches from getting into your home, and apply targeted cockroach control as needed.
When determining whether to step up your game and get professional pest control, it helps to know the risks of having roaches in your home. Let's look at a few facts to help you put things in perspective.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 940-239-9786 today!
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What are the steps to take prior to receiving flea treatment?Please review our flea treatment information sheet found here.
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What type of payment options do you accept?We accept cash, check or credit card. We do ask that you pay at the time of service. Many of our customers put a credit card on file with our office. It is stored securely in our system and only charges AFTER the service is rendered.
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What are your hours?Our offices in both Lewisville, TX and Denton, TX are open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
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How long do I have to stay out of my home or property after treatment is performed?In situations where you have to be out of the property during and after treatment (flea treatment, roach clean-out service, or for health reasons, etc.), we recommend that you stay away until all products have completely dried. This is usually approximately two to four hours depending on conditions, after which time it is completely safe to re-enter the property.
