The Chesapeake pest control experts at Hawk Mosquito & Pest are here to help. Here’s what you need to know to figure out if you have an infestation and what you can do to get rid of roaches for good.
Physical Characteristics Of Roaches: How To Identify Them
Cockroaches are surprisingly easy to identify as they don’t look like most other residential pests common to the Chesapeake area. They range in size from 2/2 to 2 1/8 inches long, depending on the age of the roach and the species.
Roaches are typically brown, and while the markings and shades of brown will vary depending on the species, most are reddish or dark brown. In addition, most roaches also have shiny exoskeletons.
Health Risks Of Roaches: The Dangers Of Cockroach Infestations
Roaches don’t bite, which makes them seem relatively harmless. But that doesn’t mean they can’t put your safety and health at risk. They’re known carriers for many types of illnesses, including the following:
- Salmonella
- Typhoid fever
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Listeriosis
- Giardia
- E. coli
Though these diseases are treatable, they can cause long-term health consequences for those infected. Roaches pick up bacteria and pathogens and carry those contaminants everywhere they walk. They can track germs across your countertops, contaminate the food in your pantry, and expose you to diseases wherever they go.
If you suspect that you have an active cockroach infestation or have noticed what looks like massive roaches lurking in your kitchen, plan to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces in your food preparation areas. These chores will reduce the bacteria that roaches may have spread in your kitchen and reduce your risk of contracting one of the diseases they carry.
Professional Roach Extermination: Call The Experts Right Away
Dealing with an infestation on your own is both difficult and rarely as effective as it needs to be to rid your home of roaches once and for all. Why? Because cockroaches are excellent at hiding themselves away and breeding in areas that you may not know to treat. The best thing you can do is make professional pest control for roaches a priority.
Experienced professionals know how to adequately treat your home to deal with an active infestation. They can identify where roaches are getting inside, where they’re lurking when not out in the open, and find any areas where they may be breeding. Once they determine the extent of the infestation, they can treat your home.
Professional treatments do two things; kill the roaches inside your home already and prevent new roaches from entering your house.
Preventing Cockroach Infestations: Tips For A Roach-Free Home
If you’re trying to figure out how to prevent roaches in Chesapeake, working with a professional pest control team is your best bet. However, you can do a few things to keep cockroaches from infesting your home. Here are a few proven tips to help you keep your home roach-free:
- Store your food in airtight containers.
- Take the trash out often.
- Seal cracks in your walls and siding as soon as you find them.
- Make sure humidity levels are low in each room.
- Cover your drains and vents when they’re not in use.
These simple steps will help you keep roaches from coming back after professional treatments, but they’re not enough to get rid of an active roach problem. If you’ve seen roaches in your home, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with Hawk Mosquito & Pest as soon as possible.