West Palm Beach's Guide To Cockroach Identification & Control
When you think of harmless insects around your West Palm Beach residence, do you picture ladybugs or butterflies? Those critters are aesthetically pleasing and harmless. Cockroaches, on the other hand, are ugly, gross, and dangerous. The fact that they can reproduce quickly and that some are capable of flight makes them even more frightening. They live and breathe with germs on their bodies. They get nastier as they crawl through garbage and filth. By the time they get to your interior surfaces and food, they’ve contaminated it.
You might not want to think about roaches, but you need to. You can’t control or prevent them if you don’t understand how they operate or how to identify them.
Common West Palm Beach Roaches: Appearance, Behavior, & Risks
American, German, Australian, and brown-banded cockroaches frequent this area. American roaches are mahogany and can be over 2 inches. A German roach is 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long. Their tan or brown bodies have horizontal head stripes. Their young are black with stripes. Australian roaches range in size from 9/10 to 1 1/4 inches long. They’re dark brown and have yellow bands on their heads. It’s all in the name with brown-banded roaches; they have brown or tan body bands. They're about 1/2 an inch long.
In general, cockroaches prefer darkness and thrive around moisture and warmth. They enter properties through gaps in foundations, piping, doors, and windows. Sometimes they’re inadvertently brought in with bags, boxes, plants, or electronics. You’re liable to find these critters in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Outdoors, they may be in gardens, trees, sewers, and trash. They’ll consume almost anything.
Signs of infestation include seeing droppings and eggs and smelling a musty odor that is persistent. As mentioned before, roaches can taint items and spread diseases. It’s possible for humans to experience the following if there is a cockroach infestation where they are living:
- Asthmatic reactions
- Allergic responses
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Viruses
- Pathogens
- Gastroenteritis
Cockroach Prevention Techniques
To try to keep roaches away, make your home or business less attractive to them. Cut off their easy access to your property as well as their sources of food and water. And create an environment that is less comfortable for these pests. Here are the specific things you should put on your “to-do” list:
- Roaches can get through any size hole. Seal those you find around your doors, windows, utilities, and foundation.
- Attach sweeps to all your exterior doors.
- Repair leaks and other moisture issues.
- Wash your dishes, vacuum, and remove the trash on a regular basis.
- All trash and food should be in containers with tight lids.
- Don’t procrastinate to clean up crumbs, spills, and food messes.
- Groom greenery and place it at least two feet away from your house.
- Look over plants, packages, and bags before bringing them indoors.
Native Pest Management Cockroach Extermination
At Native Pest Management, we offer customized, quality pest control services in West Palm Beach to meet home and business owners' needs. Our plans are cost-effective and accommodating. You can have quarterly or bi-monthly visits, with guarantees and warranties. We believe in comprehensive care that will address lawn, exterior, and interior issues. All of our products are industrial-grade but safe for humans, pets, and vegetation. Most of all, we have an expert team of technicians. Your place will be roach-free before you know it.
Cockroach entry points will be treated, and the insects will certainly die. Further, our South Florida home pest control solutions will create a barrier to block out future intruders. Get a free inspection. Call today!