American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), which are sometimes called “palmetto bugs” in the southeast of the United States, are one of the most common types of cockroaches. These big bugs often get into people’s homes, and they can be both a bother and a health risk. This post will talk about American cockroaches, what they look like, and how to get rid of an infestation.
How to Spot an American Cockroach
American cockroaches are pretty easy to spot because they have these traits:
- Size: Adults of this species of roach are about 1.5 to 2 inches long, which is longer than most other cockroaches.
- Colour: The colour of them ranges from light brown to dark brown, and there is a figure-8-shaped yellow pattern behind their heads.
- Wings: American cockroaches have wings and can fly short distances, but they are better at sliding.
- Behaviour: These cockroaches are mostly busy at night, when it’s dark outside. They are scavengers, which means they will eat anything biological, like paper, food scraps, and even other dead bugs.
- Where they live: American cockroaches like warm, damp places and can be found in basements, crawl areas, and around drains. They can also live in drains, yards, and tree holes
How long they live: An American cockroach usually lives for one year.
How to Get Rid of American Cockroach Problems
As soon as you notice American cockroaches in your home, you need to take action. Here are some ways to get rid of an infestation:
- Cleanliness: Don’t leave food scraps around the house. Keep food in containers that don’t let air in, and clean up spills and crumbs right away. Getting rid of cockroaches’ food sources is one of the best ways to keep them out of your space.
- Get rid of moisture: American bugs like wet places. If you have any pipe or leak problems that could make your home damp, fix them. If you need to lower the dampness, use a dehumidifier.
- Cover up places where cockroaches can get in. American roaches can get into your home through small holes and cracks. Around doors, windows, and utility holes, use caulk or weatherstripping to seal off possible entry points.
- Cockroach Baits: Cockroach baits can be a good way to get rid of American cockroaches. The roaches eat these baits and then bring the poison back to their nests, which can help get rid of whole groups.
- Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): IGRs mess up the life cycle of American cockroaches, stopping young roaches from growing up to be adults that can reproduce.
- Professional Pest Control: If you’re having a lot of problems with pests or your efforts aren’t working, you might want to hire a professional pest control service. Professional pest control experts know how to get rid of American cockroaches and have the right tools to do it.
- Do regular checks: Look out for signs of a comeback. Early diagnosis is very important. Regular checks and tracking with cockroach traps can help you find and fix a problem before it gets too big to handle.
In conclusion, American cockroaches are a common pest in homes that can be controlled if you know what to do. To stop infestations, it’s important to keep things clean, get rid of sources of moisture, and seal off entry spots. If you think or know you have an issue, act quickly to keep the problem from getting worse. There are health risks that come with having American cockroaches in your home, but these tips can help keep them away.
Cockroach Control Newmarket deals with cockroach infestations with a systematic and exhaustive approach. Our trained technicians not only exterminate the cockroaches that are easily visible but also locate their nesting locations and thoroughly treat them, thus eliminating the threat of a future infestation.