Cockroaches are considered to be one of the most common household pests in the world. They are not only disgusting to look at but also bring in a haven of diseases. On average, roaches can range anywhere from one-half to 3 inches long. The three most common types of cockroaches in America are German, Oriental and American roaches. These types of roaches can be attracted to your house for various reasons. For instance, the most common roach found indoors is the German roach. The German roach is attracted to water. Reducing access to water sources in your home can help reduce a roach infestation.

Most Common Cockroaches in the US

Understanding the type of cockroach infesting your space will make it easier to accurately treat the infestation. So let’s understand the most common types of cockroach infestations seen in the US.

1. German Cockroaches - These are light brown in color, and are small-sized cockroaches with a torpedo-shaped body. The biggest identification factor of German cockroaches is the racing stripes on their body. Such cockroaches thrive in dirty environments and are most commonly found near trash bins. These have developed resistance to common insecticides and hence a pest control agency can best help mitigate their infestation.

2. Brown banded cockroaches - These are extremely small and until you closely inspect them, you may not even realise they are cockroaches. They have a reddish brown color. The brown banded cockroaches are found in atypical spaces such as higher corner and ceilings. The reason being that their water needs are different from other cockroaches. These won’t often crawl on food but rather continue to habit higher up spaces.

3. American cockroach - Also known as palmetto bug, these cockroaches are the largest occurring cockroaches in America. They have a shiny, red body and are often spotted during the peak summer months. They are mostly spotted in ground level homes since they crawl from the sewers in search of food.

4. Smoky brown cockroach - These come close in size to the American cockroaches. They can grow up to 2 inches and are often black in color. They too have a shiny skin but it’s starkly different from the American cockroach. These cockroaches don’t naturally occur in domestic environments but can find its way into home if you live in the suburbs or use materials like firewood.

Why and How Cockroaches Enter Your Home

How cockroaches enter your home

Cockroaches can easily find their way into your house in multiple ways. Here’s highlighting a few ways so you can take preventative measures. Often when you buy groceries or move furniture, you may be carrying a cockroach along with you. Containers, plastic bags, cardboard boxes are all spaces where cockroaches thrive. So it’s best to thoroughly check them before you enter the house. Another tip is to thoroughly clean the bags and boxes after you have used them. You can also use recyclable bags or cloth bags to ensure you don’t carry anything from the stores. Drainage and sewage systems are another means by which cockroaches can enter your house. If you are having repairs in your plumbing system or changing your sewage system, then it’s likely you will be spotting a few cockroaches. This infestation might further increase during the summer months, since cockroaches come out of sewers to escape the heat and to look for water.

Many people don’t know that factors such as location, moisture levels and accessibility can also attract cockroaches. If you live on ground floor homes or highly humid climates, then it’s likely you will spot cockroaches. In addition, lack of hygiene, when it comes to the kitchen area, is often seen as a cause for cockroach infestation. Renovation activity, paint jobs and having closed, cluttered spaces often create an environment that attracts cockroaches.

Your outdoor area can also attract cockroaches. Stagnant water in plant pots, compost, manure or piles of leaves and wood often attract cockroaches.

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Hence, here is a list of five ways through which one can eliminate cockroaches from infesting one’s home: 

1- Identify the problem areas with flashlights and glue strips 

The first and foremost step is to identify the possible roach infestation sites. Conduct this research using a flashlight to search popular roach hiding spots, including behind the refrigerator, under the sink, crevices in cabinets and shelves, closet door corners, bathroom cabinets and closets. You can use roach glue strips to locate large infestations. Monitor these corners for a few days to a week. Strips in high-traffic areas will catch the most roaches, and these areas will need the most treatment. 

2- Use caulk to close gaps to prevent further infestation 

To prevent a roach infestation from expanding, use caulk to fill possible entry points, including gaps between walls or tile, small nooks, corners and crevices and entry holes. 

3- Place gel bait stations to reduce roach population effectively 

Gel bait can be an instrumental roach killer. This usually comes in the form of a tube that can be applied on various nooks, corners and crevices. While this method can be extremely useful in getting rid of cockroaches, you can also find your home infested with dead cockroaches after applying the tube. You can also make optimum use of bait stations to kill cockroaches—these work by attracting roaches into stations to feed on poison. The poisoned bug then travels back to its home location, dies with poisoning and is consumed by the other roaches, further passing on the poison and killing them. This helps in the deduction of the population. However, one should be very careful while using such measures.

4- Boric acid powder for further effectiveness 

Boric acid is found in substances like toothpaste and detergent. It can be one of the best roach killers. However, you should know how to apply it generously, not to contact children and your pets. In case it does, it can prove to be extremely hazardous. It is made by chemically combining boron and water. It is deadly for cockroaches. 

5- Hire a pest management professional 

You do not have to undergo any hassle listed above if you simply hire a pest management control company. They offer a more practical approach towards getting rid of cockroaches and other kinds of infestations. They also eliminate the need to have traps scattered around your home.

Metro Pest Control was established in 1977 and had since been providing comprehensive exterminator services throughout New York City. We equip our customers with the best-suited cockroach removal solutions in New York City. Our exterminators specialise in the removal of bedbugs, mice, roaches, ants and more. We will ensure to deliver our services promptly. Our experience-friendly options ensure the health and safety of our customers. We also provide squirrels removal services in NYC. If you’re on the lookout for a termites exterminator in NYC, we will surely not disappoint you with our expertise.