COCKROACH CONTROL NEWTOWN PA
Cockroaches are infamous when it comes to infestations in homes and businesses. This is due to their ability to thrive in places with an abundance of food and poor sanitation.
Cockroaches are nocturnal and can be found foraging for and eating any human foods during the night, as well as other items, such as glue, toothpaste, hair, soap, excrement, and other forms of filth. During the day, they will remain hidden in dark, secluded spaces, especially if there is access to warmth and moisture. They also have a preference for narrow cracks and crevices, where surfaces can touch them on both sides.
While they do not live in nests or colonies like termites, ants, or bees, they often congregate in certain locations based on the odor left by their collective feces, which can be identified by their pepper speck-like appearance. When disturbed, the roaches will scatter.
ARE COCKROACHES HARMFUL?
Cockroaches can secrete a substance that can stain surfaces and leave a bad odor. They can also damage paper and fabric products.
Because they move freely through filth, this allows them to pick up bacteria that can contaminate food, kitchen utensils, and other household items, leaving people at risk for food poisoning, diarrhea, or other diseases. The German cockroach is specifically believed to be able to transmit the hepatitis virus, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and coliform bacteria, as well as promote the spread of typhoid and dysentery.
The cockroach’s cast skins, saliva, and feces can irritate many people’s allergies as well, causing congestion, watery eyes, and sneezing. It can also cause or trigger asthma in people, especially children who live in densely populated housing conditions.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF COCKROACHES?
Only a small percentage of cockroaches can be seen in the house. This makes correct identification important, as there are many insects who look similar, such as beetles and crickets.
Overall, a cockroach will have an oval body, six strong and spiny legs, and a head that will be hidden if viewed from above. Certain species of cockroaches will develop wings in adulthood, but few can ever utilize them for flight. During their immature stages, these cockroaches will appear smaller, and any signs of wings will be absent.
For further identification, here are a few cockroach species that are most commonly found in the Newtown area:
• BROWN BANDED COCKROACH
The brown banded cockroach is a species that prefers temperatures over 80 °F. They are around 1/2 inch long, and can be identified by the two yellow, horizontal bands running across their wings and the black, bell-shaped pattern behind their heads. Adult males will also have a narrower, golden-tan body with wings extending past their abdomens. They are known to fly if disturbed. Meanwhile, adult females will have a wider, dark brown body with wings that don’t completely cover their abdomens. Unlike males, they are unable to fly.
Because brown banded cockroaches have a preference for glue and other starchy foods, they are usually not associated with food preparation areas. However, they can still be found infesting kitchens, schools, hospitals, and animal care facilities, as well as industrial facilities, laboratories, and offices.
Within these spaces, they will often hide behind paintings and other wall decorations, inside crevices around or in electrical appliances, inside or beneath furniture, among books, or in other forms of clutter.
The egg cases of a brown banded cockroach are light brown and 1/4 inch long, and can be found glued on ceilings, beneath furniture, within closets, or in other dark areas.
• GERMAN COCKROACH
German cockroaches are considered the most common species to be found not only infesting homes and businesses in Newtown, but also throughout the US.
Similar to brown banded cockroaches, they prefer warm temperatures. However, their preferred range is between 70 °F and 75 °F. While their size and appearance may also be similar to brown banded cockroaches, they can be identified by their light brown coloring, as well as the two dark, parallel lines running longitudinally across the back of their heads. Although they have fully developed wings, they are not known to fly.
They live in any indoor location associated with food preparation and storage, and prefer hiding in dark and humid areas. Because of this, it will be common to find them hiding near plumbing fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as within cupboard cracks as narrow as 1/16 inch.
Their success at being the most common and the most troublesome pest comes down to their notorious persistence. The German cockroach is known to have the highest productive potential, with females producing 30–50 eggs at a time, as well as 6–8 egg cases throughout their life. Assuming there are two generations per year, German cockroaches can produce over 10,000 descendants in one year.
Their egg cases are light beige and 1/4 inch in size. However, unlike other species of roaches, the female has the tendency to carry her egg cases until they are ready to hatch.
• ORIENTAL COCKROACH
The oriental cockroach is a species that can be found both outdoors and indoors. They are 1 inch in size, and are colored a shiny black or dark brown. They often prefer temperatures under 84 °F, and can even be found surviving in freezing temperatures outside.
They are also known as the black beetle or water bug due to their preferences for dark and damp places, such as sewers, cellars, and crawl spaces. Other notable hiding spots include areas in or around drains and leaky water pipes, and spaces underneath refrigerators, washing machines, sinks, and floors. Outdoor locations can include places where pets, livestock, or wildlife are being fed, as well as water meter boxes.
While both females and males have wings, they are short and unable to be used for flight. Likewise, they are slow moving and do not possess the ability to climb smooth, vertical surfaces. Because of this, they will often be found infesting the ground floor of a building, or consequently, trapped in sinks or tubs after falling in or climbing up drains and sewer pipes.
While less mobile than other species, the oriental cockroach is still considered the dirtiest cockroach, not only because of their tendency to crawl through unsanitary spaces, but also because they feed on garbage, human and animal waste, and other forms of decaying organic matter.
Their egg cases are around 3/8 inch long, red-brown, and are often deposited in debris or places with food.
WHAT CAUSES COCKROACHES IN THE HOUSE?
While cockroaches thrive in places with poor sanitation, infestations can still be found in clean homes.
There are various ways cockroaches can enter a building. They may be introduced into your property through infested furniture, grocery bags, beverage cartons, cardboard boxes, luggage, or firewood. They may also gain entry through gaps in windows, doors, vents, or other openings.
Cockroaches can also be observed traveling between units in an apartment building through common ceilings, walls, and so on.
HOW DO I PREVENT COCKROACHES FROM COMING INTO MY HOUSE?
Since cockroaches flourish in places with food, moisture, and shelter, cleanliness is an important step in preventing an infestation. Specific steps you can take include:
• Cleaning up food waste and spills
• Preventing pet food and unwashed dishes and utensils from sitting overnight
• Vacuuming floors, cracks, and crevices
• Storing loose food in tightly sealed containers
• Preventing trash from accumulating
• Discarding newspapers, cartons, and paper bags
• Sealing cracks, gaps, and other openings
• Installing screens on windows and sweeps underneath doors
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A COCKROACH IN YOUR HOUSE?
When a cockroach infestation is already underway, managing it will not be easy.
The most effective way to get rid of them and their egg cases without the use of chemicals would be to utilize a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This filter will reduce the risks of the cockroach leaving harmful airborne debris.
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