Winter is coming and there is nothing we can do to stop it. The weather will get colder, we will have to wear warmer clothing, and cockroaches will be trying to get into our homes. What attracts cockroaches into homes? Mostly warmth. Just like us, cockroaches need some way to stay warm when the weather outside becomes unfriendly. Our temperature-controlled homes are the perfect place for them. Plus our homes offer a variety of amenities such as food, shelter, and a near-infinite supply of water. The only question is, will your Raleigh home be prepared when cockroaches come knocking?
Common Cockroaches In Raleigh
Here in Raleigh, we only have 3 major home-invading cockroach pests, the German cockroach, the American cockroach, and the Oriental cockroach. Each is slightly different in size, ranging from ⅛ of an inch to over 1 1/2 inches in length, and varying in color from shiny black to brown to yellow. These roaches can cause a lot of trouble for Raleigh homeowners.
How To Identify A Cockroach Infestation
When it comes to identifying a cockroach infestation, it all comes down to two things, where to look, and what to look for. Typically, cockroaches avoid human interaction as much as possible. They stay hidden during the day and only come out once people have gone to sleep. During the day, cockroaches hide in damp and dark areas. Some common locations cockroaches hide include behind refrigerators, under sinks, stoves, washer and dryer units, beneath floor drains, and within larger appliances.
Here are some common signs cockroaches leave behind that you can look for.
- Droppings
- Eggs
- Shed Skins
- Smear Marks
- Musty Smell In The Air
- Damaged Items
Here are some things you can do to inspect your home for cockroaches.
- Pull out appliances, or use a flashlight to check beneath appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
- Investigate your basement, checking anywhere cockroaches could squeeze under or between.
- Check under your bathroom sink and around drains.
- Lift up floor mats and check beneath them.
- Check behind wall-mounted artwork and clocks.
Keep in mind that if you see one cockroach, it is a good sign that there are many more hiding just out of sight.
Can Cockroaches Do Any Harm?
The quick answer to this question is, yes they can. The long answer is that cockroaches are filthy pests that carry dangerous bacteria with them wherever they go. More specifically, cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six parasitic worms, and 7 human pathogens. That’s a lot of ways you and your family could get sick. When cockroaches wander through your home at night, on kitchen surfaces, over left-out food, and through boxes of stored food, they can contaminate everything they come in contact with, putting you and your family at risk.
Cockroaches can also trigger asthma attacks with the skin they shed while molting. You don’t want cockroaches creeping around in your Raleigh home.
How To Get Rid Of Roaches Without An Exterminator?
We get asked this question all the time. “Is there a way to get rid of roaches without an exterminator?” The answer is, you can, but it can take months of training and expensive equipment to get the job done right. In the end, you would be wasting money, effort, and time when a simpler solution is available.
Here at Pest & Termite Consultants, we have your simple solution. Our pest professionals have trained long and hard to know how to get cockroaches out of homes and have the tools needed to do so.
If you are ready to be free of dangerous roaches and to get your home back, we are here to help. Give us a call today to schedule services for your Raleigh home!