No-Sweat Cockroach Control Tips For Wilmington Homeowners

8/14/2020

Few pests exemplify how gross and dangerous infestations can be than the cockroach. The creepy critters are slimy, disease-ridden, and difficult to get rid of. But with the tips outlined in this blog, you’ll be a step ahead on proper prevention and control.

Common Invasive Cockroaches

Cockroaches come in all shapes and sizes, but all of them can pose serious risks to your property. Knowing what to look for can help determine if an infestation is brewing:

• German cockroaches: The most common invasive roach in the world, these small, ovular cockroaches are easily identified by the dark dash marks on their backs. They can fly but typically only flutter short distances, and they grow to about a half-inch in length.
• American cockroaches: The largest invasive cockroach species are distinguishable by the figure-8 shape on the tops of their heads. American cockroaches frequently grow over two inches long, and some can be easily double the size of other cockroaches.
• Western wood cockroach: These guys are easy to mistake for other varieties because they are similarly reddish or brown but lack the easily discernible markings of other common roach varieties. They typically grow to be about an inch in length.

What Attracts Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that forage for food and water and constantly seek shelter. Roaches look for dark, damp places where they can nest and have easy access to sustenance. As such, all of the following are things that might attract them to your property:

• Food storage: Cockroaches use chemical receptors to detect food from miles away, so even the smallest crumb or traces can be an attractant. Clean up food and spills quickly and thoroughly, especially in hard-to-reach places. Don’t forget to store pet food in secure areas, too.
• Trash storage: The food in the pantry or on the floors and countertops isn’t the only thing cockroaches will eat. They will even root around in the trash for scraps, so securely bagging and binning your garbage is important for prevention.
• Moisture: Cockroaches prefer dark, dank areas, so anywhere that moisture pools or hangs in the air is a beacon for roaches. Proper pipe maintenance and ventilation will reduce these factors.

Cockroach Prevention For Your Property

While you can control some factors to try and reduce the likelihood of a pest infestation, it’s also important to remember that easy access is its own incentive for roaches looking for areas to populate. The insects can flatten their bodies and squeeze into impossibly tight areas, so even small cracks or holes can be potential entry points for cockroaches. Routinely checking the exterior of your home, as well as the walls and floors of interior spaces like basements and crawl spaces, will help you spot potential access areas. If you spot holes or cracks, use professional-grade caulk or easy wood patching kits to quickly cover these spots up. Regular inspection and maintenance by professionals can also ensure that you catch potential problem spots early.

The Ultimate Tip: Professional Help

A cockroach infestation isn’t just a gross nuisance, it’s a potentially dangerous problem. Cockroaches spread diseases, and their mere presence inside of a property can be enough to cause health hazards or loss of business. It’s best to not take a chance with cockroaches, which can be nearly impossible to exterminate once they’ve moved in. Too many property owners waste time with ineffective solutions when proven assistance from local pest experts would have saved time and money.

Don’t make that mistake -- whether an infestation is already forming or if you want to get started on proper prevention today, contact the professionals at Jay Taylor Exterminating for total cockroach control.