An occurrence like this is enough to make many homeowners consider leaving their homes and renting a hotel room for the night. If you would like to know more about the small black lighting-fast bug that scares homeowners at midnight, here are a few things to consider.
What Are Oriental Cockroaches
Cockroaches are 1” long, black hard-shelled insects that commonly invade homes here in Mobile. Known also as water bugs for their love for moisture, this pest is often found around damp, dark, and secluded areas both in and out of homes. As a general rule Oriental roaches are more sluggish than other species of cockroaches in our area.
This means you are more likely to see them, and they won’t run away from you at lightning-fast speeds. Male oriental roaches have wings that cover three-quarters of their body. They use these wings solely as stabilizers when falling from high locations and cannot use them to fly.
Why Oriental Cockroaches Invade Homes
As a general rule, our homes are more comfortable for roaches than their natural habitat. For this reason, these pests often look for ways to get inside. During seasons of cold, hot, or inclement weather, cockroaches are more encouraged to come inside, as it means safety from the conditions outside.
The Dangers Of Oriental Cockroaches
Cockroaches don’t have limited eating habits. These pests are just as likely to eat trash as they are to eat a piece of pizza off your counter. Many of the dirtier things cockroaches eat contain disease-causing bacteria, bacteria that these pests pick up, and then transmit around other areas they roam throughout homes. Some of the most common diseases a person can contract from an Oriental cockroach include salmonellosis and E. coli.
If spreading disease wasn’t bad enough, cockroaches also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions with their shed skin and fecal matter. As populations of roaches grow within a home, this problem grows exponentially worse.
How To Prevent Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches invade homes in many ways for many reasons. To reduce your chances of dealing with these pests around your living areas, here are some effective pest prevention tips to try:
- Eliminate sources of water build up around your property.
- Repair damage to your home’s gutter system.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures around your home.
- Use some caulk or liquid cement to fill holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Make sure your window and door screens are in good working order.
- Address damage to weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Thoroughly clean your home, paying special mind to areas around refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.
- Store leftover foods inside airtight containers.
- Pick up and clean out your pet’s food and water bowls before going to bed at night.
If you want to 110% make sure Oriental cockroaches stay out of your home, you need help from the experts here at Prewett Pest Control. Our team of highly trained pest technicians has the industrial-grade equipment and treatments needed to protect your home from pests year-round. All you have to do is give us a call.
Contact our team today to learn more about our comprehensive plans or schedule a visit for your Mobile property.