Few pests are less welcome into our homes than roaches. These disgusting little critters contaminate everything they touch, spread a myriad of diseases, and in general, make our skin crawl. Cockroaches are one of the most common insects to invade our homes and one of the most challenging pests to remove once they do.
Cockroaches are ultimate survivors. They can withstand pressure over 500 times their body weight, survive a week without a head, and regrow lost limbs. Add to that an insanely effective immune system isn't affected by most poisons and pesticides. In addition, they have the ability to lay over 300 eggs a year (which, when hatched, can produce over 90,000 cockroaches that same year), and you can see why cockroaches are one of the most dreaded invaders for American homeowners.
Let's look at how to deter cockroaches from your home, the problems they bring with them into your house, and where to find reliable pest control in Austin to kick them outside your walls.
Types Of Cockroaches You Can Find In Austin
There are over 4000 species of cockroaches around the world, but in the Austin area, you're likely to run into the following culprits invading your home:
- American cockroaches in Austin grow up to 2 1/8 inches long, making them the largest common species of roach in North America. They have reddish-brown oval bodies and long antennae, but the easiest way to identify them is a figure-eight mark on their backs.
- Brown-banded cockroaches are usually around 1/2 an inch long, with brown bodies and two lighter stripes running down their backs. Brown-banded cockroaches are usually in high places, infesting cabinets near the ceilings.
- German cockroaches are 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long with oval-shaped brown bodies and two black stripes behind their heads to help identify them. Like most cockroaches, German cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer to infest kitchens and bathrooms thanks to the humid environment they provide.
Common Problems Cockroaches Cause
Cockroaches are arguably the least hygienic creatures on the face of the earth, and every bacteria and pathogen they stroll through in the disgusting places they hang out is spread all over the surfaces of your home.
They carry numerous infectious and deadly illnesses:
- Typhoid fever
- Cholera
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Listeriosis
- Giardia
- E. coli infection
Their saliva and feces (all over your home if there are roaches) are apt to cause an allergic reaction or an asthma attack in people with weaker immune systems or asthma.
Factors That Attract Cockroaches To Your Home
Cockroaches in Austin, like most other pests, are attracted to your home by easy access to food. They will eat just about anything, such as sugar, plants, fabric, and each other. They also enjoy a comfortable environment, preferably above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keeping your home unorganized allows cockroaches to find hiding places and moisture leaks from plumbing problems create the nice humid environment they crave. Leaving human or pet food out will attract roaches; they have one of the best-developed senses of smell and will literally smell a spilled coke or crumbs of a breakfast muffin from miles away.
The Trick To Getting Rid Of Cockroaches In Your Home
Making sure that cockroaches are not attracted to your home will go a long way to avoid dealing with them, but with cockroach infestations becoming more and more common in Texas, there is a good chance that sooner or later, you will have to face the task of figuring out how to get cockroaches out of your Austin home.
At EnviroGuard, we've been helping Austin residents keep their homes roach free for over 40 years and have the knowledge, experience, and tools to clear them out of your home and help you figure out a good strategy to avoid them coming back. Reach out today to get started on our effective cockroach control services in Austin.