Around the world, no household pest has higher numbers than cockroaches. These common pests contaminate surfaces and foods. They also spread diseases and cause damage to your home and belongings.
Cockroaches make their homes anywhere they can find water, food, and hiding places. Homeowners find cockroaches in cabinets, under appliances, and in basements or laundry rooms. If there are dark corners with dampness and a nearby food source, cockroaches might move in.
Fortunately, you can stay one step ahead of these pests and keep your family and home safe.
Common Cockroaches in San Antonio
In the United States, homeowners might find any of 60 species of cockroaches in their homes. However, around the world, about 4,500 species exist.
In San Antonio, four cockroaches tend to show up more often than the others. One of those is the American cockroach. They are a distinct reddish-brown color with a yellow band behind their heads. They grow to about 50 mm in length.
Another common species in San Antonio is the brown-banded cockroach. It is light brown with transverse bands on its wings. Brown-banded cockroaches are the smallest of these four, measuring about 11-14 mm.
The German cockroach is a tad bigger than the brown-banded roach. It is also light brown but has three stripes behind its head. Finally, there is the Oriental cockroach, which is dark brown to black. They are larger than German roaches and brown-banded roaches. The largest of all is the American cockroach.
What Attracts Cockroaches to Your San Antonio Home
Like other creatures, cockroaches want a warm place to live with a nearby source of food and water. They also like dark hiding places where they can avoid predators.
Cockroaches quickly find their way to any available food source, as well. Open bowls of pet food and unsealed food in cabinets are easy targets for these pests. Any nearby moisture makes the food sources more attractive.
Cockroaches also appreciate nearby landscaping, especially if it is near cracks in the foundation. They’ll crawl around the landscaping, enjoying the food and moisture. Then, they enter through the openings to your home, where they find shelter and protection.
Signs That You Have Cockroaches
You might not see cockroaches in your home, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any. They might stay hidden when you’re awake, but they’ll leave visible evidence that you have an infestation.
Cockroaches leave a musty odor that may affect the quality of your food. You may also find egg casings that are about 5 mm, brown, and covered in a hard shell. The egg cases (ootheca) will be near cockroach excrement, which looks like little pieces of black dirt.
If people in your home have allergies or asthma, it might worsen if you have cockroaches on your property. They can trigger serious asthma attacks, and spread diseases through food, so your family members might notice some gastrointestinal or other health problems.
San Antonio Cockroach Prevention Tips
To keep cockroaches out of your home, be sure the things that attract them aren’t available. Keep your home clean and clutter-free, especially in cupboards and basement corners. Seal up the cracks and holes in your foundation, doorways, and windows using caulk or weatherstripping.
Fix any pipes that leak and take care of your gutters, removing clogs and repairing the damage. Trim your landscaping, and move large plants away from your home.
In your home, clean behind and under your appliances. If you have pets, be sure their food is sealed, and empty and clean their food bowls every day.
What Makes Roaches Hard to Treat?
Unlike termites, cockroaches have evolved to avoid threats and survive danger. They have become resistant to the tools that pest control companies use, like pesticides and insecticides. It is difficult to kill them with chemicals, unlike termites and rodents. Pest control companies are the best choice for removing cockroach infestations.
Conclusion
Even the cleanest homes can suffer from cockroach problems, especially in warmer areas of the United States. If you have signs of cockroaches in your San Antonio home, the experts at Romney Pest Control can help.
We’ve been providing quality home pest control services in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio areas for over 10 years. For prompt, dependable, and trusted insect extermination, contact us today for a free estimate!
