Cockroach Identification

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are medium to large-sized scavenging insects that, when living near us, often end up in our homes and businesses, taking advantage of the food and shelter they provide. Most cockroaches are winged, but not many are adept flyers; most move from place to place by running up to three miles per hour! These insects have oval-shaped bodies and are usually dark in color, which, along with their quick movements, helps them to stay out of sight.

A problem both inside and outside of our structures, cockroaches living in the West Palm Beach area include:

• American cockroaches
• Brown-banded cockroaches
• Florida wood cockroaches
• German cockroaches
• Oriental cockroaches

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Most cockroaches living worldwide never come into contact with people and therefore pose no risks or dangers. However, those species that have learned to live with people do pose many threats. Cockroaches living in a home increase the risk of children developing asthma, and they can trigger allergy symptoms like runny noses, watery eyes, and skin rashes in anyone. Many diseases (salmonellosis, E. coli, dysentery) that cockroaches carry affect the gastrointestinal system and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Cockroaches living in our homes will happily and without asking feed on our food and crawl across our food prep areas, cabinets, and drawers, contaminating them all with their excrement, saliva, and the bacteria they carry on their bodies. 

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches give off pheromones as a means of communication; the pheromones allow cockroaches to find each other and gather together in large groups. When a few cockroaches find food, they emit pheromones that attract other cockroaches. Good communicators and prolific breeders, a small group of cockroaches finding their way into your home, can quickly turn into a large-scale infestation that's difficult to control.

Cockroaches living outdoors near our homes often are attracted to our properties by things like open trash cans, dripping faucets, pet food, and food debris around grill areas. Once foraging for food near our homes, it is easy for them to move inside after coming across cracks in the foundation, openings around pipes, or by moving through drains.

Where will I find cockroaches?

By day, cockroaches hide, and by night, they flock from their hiding spots and forage for food. Since most roaches prefer to hide in warm moist locations, you'll typically find them in the humid areas of our homes like kitchen, bathrooms, wall voids, and utility rooms. Drawers, cabinets, space behind or under appliances, and openings near hot water pipes often become home to invading cockroaches.

It is important to note that Florida wood cockroaches and brown-banded cockroach habits vary slightly from most other cockroaches living in our area:

• Florida wood roaches prefer to live outside and don't often become a problem inside our home. They invade places like greenhouses, woodpiles, boxes, and storage areas near our houses.
• Brown-banded cockroaches differ slightly from most other cockroaches living in Florida because they prefer to live in warm, dry areas. Inside our homes, attics, the upper parts of cabinets, and spaces behind interior door frames are where these roaches like to hide.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

To get rid of the current problems you are experiencing with cockroaches, reach out to the experts at Empire Pest Defense. We will protect your home or business from dangerous cockroaches and other pests through detailed inspections, effective interior and exterior treatments, and ongoing services.

Empire Pest Defense is a local company with a deep commitment to our community and we provide our customers with top-notch services to eliminate pests. All of our highly trained technicians are licensed, insured, and dedicated to meeting the unique pest control needs of West Palm Beach home and business owners. Reach out today and learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services and how to eliminate cockroaches from your property once and for all!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Avoid problems with cockroaches with the help of the professionals at Empire Pest Defense, our effective pest control solutions, and our practical prevention tips:

• Always inspect deliveries, furniture, and electronics for cockroaches before bringing those items into your home.
• If you live in an apartment complex, make sure to keep door sweeps on your exterior doors and seal any cracks or openings in walls, along baseboards, or around pipes.
• Inspect the exterior of your home, sealing any gaps leading into your home.
• Switch out white lights in outdoor fixtures for yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to cockroaches.
• Keep roaches from smelling food sources on your property by keeping tight-fitting lids on garbage cans, compost bins, and recycling bins.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.