How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Your Roseville Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

There are few insects as mysterious as cockroaches. They appear out of nowhere and disappear as if into thin air. Why? Because they are highly mobile. A cockroach can run across a table, go over the edge, and run across the bottom without slowing down. A cockroach can run full speed across a ceiling. But, most of all, a cockroach can flatten its body and squeeze through a gap less than half its height. That's how they get into your walls, floors, and other hiding places. So, it can be more than a bit troubling when you start seeing cockroaches inside your Roseville home. Don't worry. We have the perfect prescription for cockroach infestations. Join us as we look at four steps to help you evaluate your cockroach infestation, get relief from the roaches in your home, and prevent future roach infestation. If you like learning fun facts about cockroaches and roach control, you're in for a treat. If you need immediate assistance with a roach infestation and professional cockroach pest control in Roseville, feel free to call. Your Neighborly Pest Management team is here to help. We'll guide you toward the best solution for you.

Step One: How To Identify A Cockroach Infestation

The first thing we're going to look at is cockroach identification. When you find roaches in your home, there are a few things those roaches can tell you about your infestation. Cockroaches are somewhat unique. Some are more unique than others. Here are a few things you should know:

How big are your roaches? If you're finding roaches that are larger than two inches long, you have an American cockroach infestation. These roaches are chestnut colored and have a yellow mark on the back that looks a little bit like an infinity symbol. American cockroaches, also called waterbugs, have a high requirement for moisture. They're not going to do well in your home if you keep it dry.

Do you have black roaches? If you do, they are likely oriental cockroaches. What you should know most about oriental cockroaches is that they are dirty – even by roach standards. But you can use that knowledge against them. Oriental cockroaches are a lot like houseflies, which is to say, they can't live in a home that is clean. If you roll your sleeves up and do some deep cleaning, these roaches may hit the road.

Do you have small tan roaches with two dark lines on their backs? If you do, we have bad news for you. They are the hardest cockroaches to control. Those little tan roaches are German cockroaches. They are the most common roaches found inside man-made structures. Because of this fact, they also have the highest resistance to conventional treatment materials and baits. It is time to contact a pest professional and get German cockroach control when you see these roaches.  

Do your roaches crawl around in the light? If so, we have good news for you. The cockroaches that are the most hazardous to humans are nocturnal by nature. It is good when you actually see roaches crawling around inside your home, so to speak. They are likely wood roaches. While certainly pests, they're easy to control because they don't want to live inside your home. You may have success keeping these roaches out if you remove organic debris near your home and seal exterior entry points.

Most of the time, cockroaches stay hidden. They lurk inside your walls and come out at night to crawl around to find food. When they do, they can contaminate the areas they explore. For this reason, it is essential to know the signs of cockroach infestation. Look for the following:

• Black droppings: The fecal matter from roaches will look like tiny specks of sticky pepper or appear as spots on fabrics.
• Shed skins: Cockroach nymphs shed their skins several times as they grow into adult roaches. You'll find these in dark voids and tight spaces. 
• Oothecae: Some roaches carry their ootheca with them, but the ones that leave them lying around will provide a warning sign for you.
• Damage: Cockroaches nibble on cardboard, paper, and fabrics. If you find these tiny holes, you may have a roach infestation.
• An odor: The pheromones of a cockroach are oily and musty, and as infestations grow, so does their odor. If you smell something a little off, it is likely roaches.

Once you evaluate your cockroach infestation, it is time to consider the health concerns. Knowing how roaches can impact your health can actually help you with cockroach control. Let's take a look at how it works and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.