What Are American Cockroaches? How Big Are They?
American Cockroaches are reddish brown in color with a yellow band that outlines the area behind their head. Both males and females have wings and can fly short distances. American Cockroaches are the largest cockroaches with adults averaging between 1.4” to 1.6” (35-41 mm) in length, but they can be bigger, exceeding 2”.
Do American Cockroaches Bite Or Carry Disease?
American Cockroaches have the ability to bite, but they rarely do. If a bite occurs, it shouldn’t be problematic unless it gets infected.
Cockroaches often cause problems for people with allergies and asthma. They also carry pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and more. They can disseminate bacteria, the most common bacteria being E coli. Therefore, cockroaches are a sanitary hazard.
How Can I Tell If I Have A Cockroach Infestation?
There are four telltale signs of an American Cockroach infestation:
- Homeowners will see the fast-moving insects themselves usually fleeing to dark areas.
- American Cockroaches leave behind droppings in the dim areas in which they hide. These small droppings are blunt on the ends and have ridges on the sides. They are often mistaken for mouse droppings, so it’s important to contact a licensed pest control professional for proper identification.
- Another sign of an American cockroach infestation is the presence of egg capsules, which are about 8 mm long and dark-colored. Egg capsules are sometimes glued to a surface near food sources, and can be found in basements, laundry rooms and kitchens, as well as behind appliances or underneath cabinets.
- The American Cockroach will produce a pheromone that some people describe as having a “musty” smell. People with sensitive noses may notice this odor around the house.
How Do I Get Rid Of Them?
Pest control companies like PESTOUT can treat your house for a cockroach infestation. To prevent cockroaches and block them from entering the house, PESTOUT treats the baseboards, cracks, and crevices along the outside foundation. To treat an infestation, PESTOUT targets specific areas and will fog the crawlspace, treat the attic and all surfaces. American Cockroaches have developed a high resistance to chemicals and if one chemical combination doesn’t work, PESTOUT will treat with a different chemical until they are gone.
Why Don’t DIY Treatments Work Well On American Cockroaches?
American roaches have become resistant to many chemicals, especially DIY sprays. Homeowners aren’t trained to find the entry points to their homes to spray, and often end up calling pest control companies to treat difficult cockroach infestations.
Call PESTOUT to schedule a cockroach treatment or fill out the form. PESTOUT is a local, professional pest control company with the experience to treat your cockroach infestation effectively. PESTOUT will treat your cockroach problem until resolved.