All about Roaches

When you think of bugs, there’s a good chance that these creepy crawlies come to mind. Nobody likes going into the kitchen for a midnight snack, turning on the lights, and seeing cockroaches scatter under appliances and under cabinets. What many people don’t realize is that if you’re seeing them, there are usually many many more hanging out where you can’t see them.

What kinds of roaches do you have?

Identification is the most important part of exterminating cockroaches. In Grand Junction, we have four types of cockroaches:

American Cockroach

The largest cockroaches found in Mesa County are the American cockroach. They are typically 1-2 inches long but can grow up to three inches. They are characterized by their dark brown bodies. When they move indoors, American cockroaches prefer to live in moist, humid environments. When an American cockroach population infests a human home, the insects are drawn to food storage and preparation areas, as well as moist locations.

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Oriental Cockroach

Oriental cockroaches are the next largest cockroaches. The oriental cockroach is approximately and dark brown to black. Males have wings covering 3/4 of their body, and the female has very short

(rudimentary) wings. These cockroaches are sometimes referred to as “water bugs” because they hang out in damp areas, as well as “black beetle cockroaches” because of their smooth, dark bodies. Oriental cockroaches gain entry into households by going under doors and through gaps beneath siding, as well as following pipes, sewers and drains into a structure.

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Brown Banded Cockroach

These are the smallest of the cockroaches found in Colorado. They can measure up to a half inch long. These roaches will eat food and other items in your pantry and indoor storage areas. They may carry bacteria and protozoa that cause disease, diarrhea or gastroenteritis, and they may deposit the germs on food and utensils. Brown banded roaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria. They can cause allergic reactions in some and make asthma attacks worse, especially in children.

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German Cockroach

German roaches are small and light brown. These little bugs are easy to identify because they are EVERYWHERE. German roach infestations are the most difficult to deal with. This is mainly due to the fact that they have the highest reproduction rate, and their egg capsules are resistant to pesticide. When treating for German roaches, multiple treatments are necessary to kill living roaches and the newly hatched nymphs on later visits.

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All roaches enter the home in similar ways. Cracks in the foundation, gaps in doors or other parts of the structure, and piles of wood or debris near the home can give the cockroaches the leverage they need to come in other entry points such as windows and weepholes.

How to prevent cockroaches

A messy home is an enticing environment is an enticing spot for cockroaches to aggregate. Keeping your home clean is a good preventative strategy. Additionally, keeping leaves, wood, and other debris off the side of your home will help keep bugs out. However, keeping your home spotless does not mean that these bugs won’t find their way in. If you enjoy online shopping and commonly bring cardboard boxes into your home, you are likely introducing roaches to your home’s interior. Sealing any open entry points such as caulking around baseboards, sealing off holes in the foundation, and rehanging loose doors will help keep bugs out.

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What King Pest Solutions Does

Whether you have already seen cockroaches around your home or not, King Pest Solutions is the right company to call for all your bug needs. Certified professionals at King Pest Solutions always give a full inspection to identify the cockroaches you are seeing. Following identification, our technician will treat the exterior and interior of your home and leave monitoring devices such as glue boards for easy identification on our follow up visit.

Even if you are not seeing activity, a preventative maintenance plan is always recommended. It is easier (and cheaper) to prevent bugs from coming in than getting rid of an infestation.

Call King Pest Solutions today at 970-250-5882 or visit us at www.KINGPESTS.com to schedule your initial visit.