Cockroach Identification Guide

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are large insects with oval-shaped bodies that are usually brown, dark brown, or reddish-brown. They also have six legs and two long antennae; some species are winged, but none are terrific flyers. A strong, musty odor that many species create also helps to identify when these insects have invaded a space.

Cockroaches live worldwide, and just the thought of them invading our homes makes most people quiver. Outdoors, cockroaches are beneficial pests, as they help to break down decaying animals and plant matter. Cockroaches don’t become problematic until they decide to invade our properties.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches aren’t aggressive and spend most of their time trying to stay hidden. However, cockroaches do pose many health hazards when they get into homes and businesses. Cockroaches carry and spread many pathogens that can make people quite ill. The bacteria that cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces with may cause diarrhea, vomiting, fevers, and salmonella. Their shed skins and excrement also trigger allergies and asthma attacks, particularly in young children.

Cockroaches will also stain with their excrement or chew through walls, clothing, and upholstered furniture inside the homes and other structures they've invaded.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches will become a problem on your property once they discover it offers them access to food sources. Things that attract roaches to an outdoor space include pet food, open trash containers, compost piles, and outdoor eating areas. Once on your property, cockroaches will make quick work of finding their way inside your home, looking for more food sources and other nesting spots.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Cockroaches live and breed in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. Common outdoor hiding spots for cockroaches include the following:

• Behind tree bark

• Under mulch

• In gardens

• Around dumpsters, trash cans, or compost piles

• In sewers and around drains

Inside, most species of cockroaches seek dark, damp nesting locations such as behind appliances, in drawers, under cabinets, behind wall voids, and around pipes and drains. Some species prefer dark, hot, dry sites and tend to hide in attics and the upper parts of cabinets.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

To solve your cockroach problem, it is best to partner with a professional. PESTOUT® is committed to getting rid of cockroaches and other pests, and keeping them out! Here at PESTOUT®, we are a family-owned company dedicated to serving the needs of our residential and commercial customers.

Our friendly professionals utilize advanced technologies to deliver the comprehensive pest control services needed to solve pest problems in Hampton Roads Virginia. If you would like to learn more about implementing our cockroach control services into your Virginia home or business, reach out to PESTOUT® today. One call controls them all!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Prevent problems with cockroaches by implementing the following prevention tips in and around your Virginia home:

• Seal‌ ‌up entry‌ ‌points‌ ‌in the ‌roofline,‌ ‌foundation,‌ ‌and‌ ‌exterior‌ ‌walls.‌

• Fix‌ any ‌leaky‌ ‌pipes‌ ‌and‌ ‌fixtures and use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce humidity levels in your home.

• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on‌ ‌trash‌ ‌cans‌, recycling bins, ‌and‌ ‌compost‌ ‌bins‌.

• Store‌ ‌food ‌in‌ ‌airtight‌ ‌containers or refrigerators.

• Wash‌ ‌dishes‌ ‌and‌ ‌remove‌ ‌trash‌ ‌from‌ ‌your‌ ‌home‌ daily.

• Regularly clean and sanitize food prep areas.

• Eliminate‌ ‌clutter‌ ‌where ‌cockroaches‌ ‌can‌ ‌hide‌.

• Inspect boxes, packages, electronics, and used furniture before bringing them into your home.