Cockroach Guide | Pest Czar

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are major pests that live across the United States and throughout the world. They invade homes, restaurants, warehouses, office buildings, hospitals, and food processing facilities. Cockroaches have flattened, oval-shaped bodies and six legs that are covered in spines. They also have long antennae. Many species of cockroaches are winged, but only a few species are strong fliers.

The most common species of cockroaches found invading homes and businesses in Maryland include the American cockroach, German cockroach, and Oriental cockroach.

German cockroaches
German cockroaches have two distinct black stripes running horizontally down behind their heads, which helps to identify this species. They like living indoors and commonly invade restaurants and homes.

American cockroaches
American cockroaches are large in size, and are considered to be the largest house-invading cockroach. They have a distinct, yellowish-colored figure-eight pattern located behind their heads. These cockroaches prefer to live outside.

Oriental cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches, or “water bugs”, have a smooth, shiny bodies, and are black or dark brown in color. Adults grow to about 1 inch in length. This species of cockroach emits a powerfully unpleasant musty smell.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are dangerous pests to have living in any home or business. Here are a few reasons why:

They spread a wide variety of diseases and infections, including dysentery, salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, and E. coli.
Cockroach feces, their saliva, and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, especially in young children.
Inside homes and businesses roaches contaminate food sources, food prep areas, utensils, and many other areas of your home with their saliva and excrement.
Cockroaches rarely bite people. However, in the case of a large infestation, cockroach bites can occur.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches are attracted to properties with easy access to food, water, and shelter. Leaky pipes and fixtures, open trash containers, compost piles, pet food, crumbs and spills, and dirty dishes are all things that make homes and businesses attractive to roaches.

Cockroaches get inside through drains or pipes, through spaces around windows or doors, through torn screens, or through spaces in the foundation or exterior walls of homes. In addition, they can accidentally be brought inside in deliveries and packages, on potted plants, or even on the bottoms of people’s shoes!

Where will I find cockroaches?

Cockroaches live and nest in a variety of places. They prefer to live and feed in the dark. Outside, cockroaches nest in flower beds, underneath mulch, inside sewer systems, underneath rocks, in potted plants, behind tree bark, and in piles of firewood. Cockroaches that find their way inside nest in warm, dark, humid places, such as underneath bathroom or kitchen sinks, in basements, in crawl spaces, behind large appliances, in cabinets or drawers, and in laundry rooms.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

To completely eliminate cockroaches from your home or business, and prevent a re-infestation, partner with a knowledgeable professional. At Pest Czar, our local and experienced professionals can provide the comprehensive pest control services needed to find and eliminate all the cockroaches living in your home or business. We can then prevent their return by implementing one of our GreenPro certified pest protection plans. For exceptional, eco-friendly cockroach control services in the Baltimore Metro area of Maryland, call Pest Czar!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Preventing problems with cockroaches can be a difficult task. There are several things you can do in and around your home or business to keep them out:

Put into place a professional residential or commercial cockroach control program from Pest Czar.
Seal gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your structure.
Place weather stripping around all exterior windows and doors.
Remove sources of water around your property.
Make sure that outdoor trash cans have locking lids placed on them.
Inside your home or business, keep all food (including pet food) in airtight containers or in the refrigerator.
Wash dirty dishes often.
Remove trash daily.
Vacuum regularly.
Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels.