American Cockroaches invading homes all over the south, including New Caney, Kingwood, Humble, Texas. These large roaches, sometimes referred to tree roaches or water bugs have a keen sense of travel when the temperature is high and the rain is low. Or in some cases when the rain is high. But there are things we can do to prevent their populations from getting so high that you start finding these large flying pest inside.
American cockroaches (like Oriental roaches) are primarily outdoor critters, but can frequently find their way into your New Caney home to set up shop. Indoors, American roaches are most commonly found in kitchens and storage areas. They are very active when the temperature is 70 degrees or higher, but can survive in lower temperatures as well.
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Are American Cockroaches Harmful?
American cockroaches do not sting or have a venomous bite, but just like other roach species, they are very dirty. American roaches move freely outdoors, and from house to house as well as from drains, gardens, garbage receptacles, dead animals, and sewers. Because they wallow in and feed on all sorts of feces and other filth, they can spread germs that cause disease.
Roaches themselves are not usually the main causes of a disease, but similar to houseflies they spread germs and bacteria on everything they come in contact with, contaminating human food and surfaces as they go. Roaches have shown to be (or strongly suspected to be) carriers of germs that cause:
- Diarrhea
- Dysentery
- Cholera
- Leprosy
- Black Plague
- Typhoid Fever
- Other viral diseases such as Poliomyelitis
They also carry parasitic worm eggs, and a large enough roach problem may cause allergic reactions in you, your family, and/or your pets (including dermatitis, itching, swelling of the eyelids, and more serious respiratory conditions like asthma).
Want more information on cockroaches? Check out all the different types of cockroaches.
How Do I Get Rid of American Cockroaches?
American cockroaches multiply quickly, so the faster you act, the quicker they’ll be gone. Keep in mind that preventive measures always go a long way to keep roaches out of your house:
- Keep your lawn mowed, and bushes, shrubs, and trees trimmed back at least a good 6 inches from the side of your house.
- Get rid of cockroach hideouts in storage areas (garage, basement, shed, etc.) like empty boxes and stacks of newspapers and magazines.
- Repair pipes and faucets with visible leaks, indoors and outdoors.
- Regularly clean your kitchen. Keep spills, grease spots, and crumbs wiped, swept, and mopped up on surfaces. Don’t forget to clean underneath and between appliances, and in drawers, pantries, and cupboards.
- Seal up cracks around your home’s exterior and foundation (any type of entrypoint for cockroaches and other pests). Ensure screens are repaired, and fix weatherproofing and door sweeps as needed. Screen over vents and other openings (like pipe/cable entry points into your home).
American cockroaches are among the most UNWANTED of houseguests, but you don’t have to fuss with them. Cleaning and prevention do a lot to keep roaches away, but cockroaches can show up even in the cleanest of homes. Once your preventive measures are in place, you may still have a cockroach problem or two to deal with.
Contact our New Caney, TX pest control experts for cockroach elimination and prevention at home for you and your family!
