American Cockroach

Cockroaches are a major pest threat in the Dayton area. There are four types of cockroaches in this region: American, German, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches. Despite differences in appearance, their habits, dangers, and things that attract them remain the same. Learn how a Dayton pest control company like EcoPro Termite & Pest can help you get rid of cockroaches once and for all.

How To Tell If You Have A Roach Problem In Your Home

There are multiple signs that you have a cockroach problem in your Dayton home, including:

  • Cockroach feces that look like coffee grounds or black pepper flakes on your kitchen counter.
  • A strong, musty smell indicates that cockroaches are using their pheromones to communicate with each other.
  • Egg capsules are brown and segmented and vary in size from ¼ to ½ inch long, depending on the species. 
  • Shed skin is left behind as cockroaches molt up to 14 times between birth and becoming full-grown adults. 
  • Nymphs are baby cockroaches that look like the full-grown version, only smaller. 
  • Full-grown cockroaches are most active at night, but in cases of large infestations, they may be seen throughout the day in your kitchen, bathroom, and wherever people eat.

American cockroaches are the largest, at 2 ½ inches long. They’re brown and have two circles on their heads that resemble a figure eight. German cockroaches barely reach ½ inch long. They’re brown with two parallel black lines on their back and are the most common cockroach in the Dayton area. Oriental cockroaches are medium-sized roaches at about 1 inch long. They’re black and shiny and resemble wingless beetles. Brown-banded cockroaches about the same size as German cockroaches, only growing to ½ inch long. They’re dark brown and have two tan bands going across their wings.

Whatever the species, it’s important to know how to get rid of cockroaches, which you can do quickly and efficiently by calling EcoPro Termite & Pest for help.

Roaches In Your Home Can Be Very Hazardous To Your Health

Cockroaches are dangerous Dayton pests for two reasons: They carry diseases that can infect your family and cause severe allergic reactions.

Some of the bacteria and diseases they spread include:

  • Cholera
  • Dysentery
  • E. coli 
  • Giardia
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Listeria
  • Salmonella
  • Typhoid fever

All cockroaches can cause allergic reactions, but German cockroaches are most commonly associated with allergies. These allergies can be especially severe in children with asthma and the elderly, but anyone can develop an allergy to cockroaches at any point in time. Severe allergic reactions may require immediate medical attention if breathing becomes labored.

To avoid becoming seriously ill as a result of an infestation, it’s crucial that you work with a roach pest control company like EcoPro Termite & Pest to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Remove Factors That Attract Roaches Into Your Home

By now, you’re probably wondering, “How do you get cockroaches?” Cockroaches are attracted to food in your house.

Here are some tips to remove those factors:

  • Keep a pristine kitchen. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Wash dishes after eating instead of letting them pile up in the sink. Sweep or vacuum your floor, then mop, every day. Take out your kitchen trash daily. 
  • Keep outdoor garbage cans several feet from your house. Put tight-fitting lids on them so cockroaches won’t be drawn to the smell of your garbage. Do the same for your recycling bin and compost heap.
  • Make sure the rest of your house is clean, too. Cockroaches can derive nutrition from cardboard, books, newspapers, wallpaper, glue, toothpaste, soap, and hair. 
  • Fix leaky pipes and fixtures, both inside and out. Cockroaches can live for a month without food, but they must have water at least once a week.
  • Repair window and door screens and frames, Replace worn-out door sweeps. Fill in cracks and crevices in your foundation and put screens over weep holes, vents, and your chimney to keep cockroaches out.

Even with all these preventative measures, you may still have a cockroach infestation. So you’re probably desperately thinking, “How do I get rid of cockroaches?” The answer is simple: Partner with EcoPro Termite & Pest and get started on our cockroach control services in Dayton.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Roaches Safely And For Good

How do you get rid of a cockroach infestation? Work with a professional pest control company like EcoPro Termite & Pest. Our highly-trained technicians are licensed and have been through thorough background checks for your peace of mind. We have the know-how and years of experience to know how to eliminate roaches safely and for good. Reach out today, to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Dayton.