Cockroach Identification & Prevention

Cockroaches are opportunistic, scavenging insects and regular invaders of our homes. The most common types of cockroaches to invade our Texas structures are:

• German cockroaches
• American cockroaches
• Smokybrown cockroaches
• Asian cockroaches
• Cuban cockroaches

American and German cockroaches are the most common to invade our structures.

German cockroaches are pale to dark brown and have two dark parallel bars on the pronotum (the first segment of the thorax). They range in size from ½ to ? of an inch in length. These cockroaches are winged but rarely fly. Instead, they prefer to use their legs.

American cockroaches are reddish-brown. Their pronotum or shield-like place located above its head is also reddish-brown but with yellow around its edges. These are the largest house-infesting cockroaches in the United States, and adults grow to 2 ? inches in length. American cockroaches are winged and fly in a glide-like manner.

Cockroaches, no matter the species, are dangerous and unwanted in our homes for several reasons. The biggest reason is that these insects pose significant health risks. Cockroaches spread diseases and allergens through their feces, contaminate food, produce unpleasant odors, and their presence scares people and makes them uncomfortable.

Cockroaches are prolific breeders, making it difficult to control these dangerous pests once they find their way into our Texas homes. A cockroach infestation can occur in any of our homes, and being aware of that fact is vital so you can remain vigilant and do your best to keep them out.

Most people associate cockroaches with dirty or cluttered homes, but the truth is that cockroaches can become a problem in any of our houses. These insects live in large populations all around us and can find their way into any home, either on their own or by hitchhiking inside.

German cockroaches are great hitchhikers and regularly are introduced into Texas homes unintentionally by homeowners. These cockroaches travel inside in grocery bags, boxes, packages, appliances, and furniture delivered from infested areas. They also have been known to ride inside purses and backpacks.

Once they enter your home, they take over quickly. Female German cockroaches produce an egg capsule (ootheca) after three months of development. Every egg capsule contains 30 to 40 baby cockroaches (nymphs). One female may produce 120 to 200 nymphs in her lifetime.

American cockroaches live quite successfully outside in Texas. However, they can wind up inside our homes, generally moving indoors through gaps in the exterior perimeter of buildings, doorways, windows, and attic spaces. In addition, American cockroaches can enter buildings through drains, especially during rain events when the sewers are full of water.

Just like German cockroaches, American cockroaches can also quickly take over homes once they find a way inside. Females can produce 21 egg capsules (ootheca) during their life, producing one egg case every six days. Each ootheca can contain as many as 16 baby cockroaches.

Cockroaches are adaptable pests and can survive in almost any indoor or outdoor environment. Places that most cockroaches find most attractive are anywhere there is warmth, moisture, and easy access to food.

American cockroaches will infiltrate various places, including hollow trees, sewers, garages, basements, kitchens, attics, wall voids, and bedrooms.

German cockroaches have adapted to living indoors and are the most common cockroach species to invade human structures.

These small, fast-moving cockroaches commonly invade kitchens (fridge ovens, dishwashers, electrical appliances), bathrooms, restaurants, and food processing facilities. Anywhere people prepare or store food could become infested by cockroaches.

To get rid of cockroaches currently in your home or to prevent them from ever finding a way inside, partner with us at Green Pest Guys. To guard your family against the health problems a cockroach infestation can inflict, we offer customized treatments, guaranteed services, and use eco-friendly products. Call today to learn more about our local, family-owned-and-operated company and our guaranteed residential pest control and commercial pest control services!

Implement the following tips for the best chance to keep cockroaches out of your Texas home.

• Inspect anything you bring into your home, like secondhand items or deliveries for cockroaches, before carrying them inside.
• Fill in spaces around wires and pipes entering your home.
• Seal spaces in your home’s foundation cockroaches can move their flat, oval bodies in and out of your home through.
• Reduce food odors that cockroaches can’t resist. Never store trash cans near your home’s exterior, and always keep tight-fitting lids on them.
• Cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Keep your home well-ventilated to reduce excess moisture in addition to using dehumidifiers.

A professional cockroach remedy is the most effective way to prevent problems with cockroaches. Call today to learn more!