Although one cockroach may not seem like a problem, it’s the sign of trouble to come. One cockroach means there are more, and you’ll soon find yourself with an infestation. Unfortunately, a cockroach infestation is nearly impossible to get rid of on your own. Find out why it is that cockroaches in Houston are so difficult to eliminate.
Types Of Cockroaches In Houston
In the state of Texas, there are about thirty species of cockroaches. However, only five species are frequently found in Houston. You are most likely to come across the American cockroach, the German cockroach, the oriental cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach, and the smokybrown cockroach.
- The American cockroach is one of the worst local offenders. They are large in size and like to shelter inside of homes. To identify this roach, look for a figure-eight shape on its head. Unlike some other types of cockroaches, this one is a good flier.
- Smaller in size, the German cockroach can be identified by the two black stripes on its head. They like to gather in restaurants, hotels, and homes. Meanwhile, Oriental cockroaches are less common in local properties. They are black and have a foul, musty odor.
- Often attracted to pantry foods, brown-banded cockroaches are one of the smallest species of house-invading roaches. Their small size makes them hard to find. As their name implies, brown-banded roaches have light brown or beige bands on their wings.
- Lastly, the smokybrown cockroach is dark in color. Young roaches have a white stripe on their thorax but soon become all black or mahogany. They like living in leaf litter or mulch, which makes them hard to find.
What Makes Cockroaches Dangerous?
Most people acknowledge that cockroaches are disgusting. But not as many people realize that they are also dangerous. Because of their propensity to hang out in alleys and garbage pails, they pick up bacteria and disease. As soon as cockroaches enter your home, they make you susceptible to sickness.
Some individuals also develop allergic reactions to cockroaches. Having an infestation in your home could make you or your family miserable. And unfortunately, infestations are difficult to prevent.
Why Roaches Are So Hard To Prevent
One of the biggest problems with cockroaches is that they are difficult to deter. Consider their eating habits. If you have any food scraps, crumbs, or unsealed food, they will be attracted to your home. There’s only so much cleaning that you can do, and you might not get every crumb off your floor.
Even if you don’t have an available food source, cockroaches are hardy creatures that can survive for about a month without food. So if they find themselves in your home they can persist until they find another food source.
Roaches also need water to survive, but it’s impossible to eliminate all sources of moisture from your home. If you have a leaky faucet, a humid basement, or any other source of water in your home, the pests will have more than enough water to survive. They can live for up to a week without any water at all.
You might think that sealing up your home is a way to keep cockroaches out. Although it’s a good start, closing up entry points is not always effective. Cockroaches can squeeze through small holes that you may not see. Your home is full of cracks and crevices that go unnoticed by you but will be obvious to pests.
The Key To Prevention
In addition to keeping your home clean, removing sources of water, and sealing up entrances, there’s another step you can take to prevent and eliminate cockroaches. The best way to protect you and your family from the dangers of cockroaches is with professional help. Call Romney Pest Control.
