In Houston, we enjoy a warm climate, for the most part. However, the heat and humidity can lead to moisture which, unfortunately, tends to attract cockroaches. Though we can do out best to turn up the AC and install dehumidifiers, sometimes its inevitable for cockroaches that find their way inside of your Houston home.
There are three species of roaches that you may see in Houston, and all lead to headaches and frustration for homeowners.
Types of Cockroaches In Houston
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are typically dark brown or reddish in color with a light yellow figure-eight shape on the back of the head. These are frequently the largest and one of the most common types of cockroaches to invade a home. They have wings, but they rarely fly. Mostly, they skitter across the ground. They prefer areas with high humidity and low light, so they often infest basements, walls, and crawl spaces.
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are the most common type of cockroach in the world, these are a bit easier to identify because of the dark, black stripes that run along the backside of their bodies. Rather than other roaches that live outdoors and find their way inside of a home, German cockroaches actually prefer to live inside, making nests and laying eggs in wet, humid areas so their nymphs are close to nearby food sources.
Oriental Cockroaches
Often called “black beetles” or “water bugs,” Oriental roaches can actually grow bigger than American cockroaches. While they have wings, they are too underdeveloped to fly. Oriental cockroaches are dark black in color and prefer to stay outdoors, but can be attracted to a home while searching for rotting organic matter or food scraps.
Why Roaches Are So Bad
No matter what type of roach infestation you’ve got, they are all bad to have in a home. They are legendary carriers of diseases and parasites, meaning they can pose some major health risks. Their droppings and rotting egg scraps can cause a nasty odor, too.
Roaches can survive on the merest of scraps or material. They have unique chemical receptors that can detect tiny crumbs of food the second they are dropped on the floor. And, as one of the fastest insects on the planet, roaches can dart in and out of a room with their catches before the lights even go on.
How They Get In
Roaches can enter a home through small cracks in walls or floors or holes in window screens and door frames. Sealing off these access points is a good prevention step.
They can also be carried in via deliveries or shipments by unsuspecting parcel services or shoppers returning with many bags in tow. So it’s good to check parcels outside and inspect packages carefully.
While regular cleaning and containment of foodstuff can reduce the risk of a roach infestation, even clean homes can see an infiltration. That’s because roaches can survive on material that most other animals wouldn’t consider food, even eating the glue found on wallpaper!
Tips To Keep Roaches Out Of Your Houston Home
Due to the tenacity and diverse appetite of these pests, it can be challenging to eliminate attractants. However, there are some logical steps you can take to keep roaches out of your Houston home:
- Keep your home dry. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas and repair leaking pipes and faucets.
- Keep your home clean. Vacuum and wipe down countertops regularly.
- Keep your trash sealed or outside. Invest in a trash can with a lid that seals. Take out your trash regularly.
- Keep your food in storage containers. Avoid packaging that’s easy to penetrate. Instead, store food in sealed plastic or glass containers.
- Keep your appliances clean. Take the time to clean around and behind appliances.
Dealing With An Infestation
For smart, money-wise homeowners, it can be tempting to try and take care of the problem yourself. But this can have serious risks.
For one, without knowing specifically where the roach nests are, killing off a few bugs isn’t going to stop the problem. For another, store-bought pesticides and solutions can often be harmful and toxic.
That’s why the best course of action is to call the professionals at Romney Pest Control. We provide thorough, effective and affordable pest solutions and prevention measures. We can not only inspect a Houston home for pests themselves, but find out where they are lying low and where they enter your home in the first place. For true peace of mind, rely on the expertise of Romney for professional cockroach prevention.
