How To Get Rid Of American Cockroaches

Need to get rid of cockroaches? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches are also known as “water bugs” or “palmetto bugs.” They are about 1.5 inches long, but can be longer, are reddish-brown and have wings. Male American cockroaches have longer wings than female American cockroaches which develop when they fully mature. 

American cockroaches primarily live outdoors in warm, damp areas. You might find them in flower beds and under mulch and are very common in sewer systems of American cities. The American cockroach is also called the “palmetto bug” because in certain areas of the United States where palmetto trees are popular, you might find many American cockroaches have made the tree their home. 

Why Do I Have American Cockroaches In My Home?

American cockroaches will enter your home in order to find food, water and shelter. Despite their large size, American cockroaches can easily fit under doors and through basement windows and garages. 

When in homes, American cockroaches are typically found in bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements for their moisture and in kitchens where they can find food. Outside your home, American cockroaches eat plant material, wood particles, fungi and algae. In your home, American cockroaches will eat crumbs, scraps of food, and even left behind sticky or greasy spillage and smears. They have also been known to eat pet food. 

American Cockroach Control 

The first step is to determine if you have an American cockroach problem. American cockroaches leave behind black specks of fecal matter (these may resemble pepper flakes or coffee grounds) on walls and surfaces near their nests. Nymph cockroaches shed their skin as they grow. You may find cast skins around your home which would be a clear indication of an American cockroach infestation. Be wary of dealing with these skins yourself, but also mindful to rid your house of them as soon as possible as these shed skins can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals, including asthma attacks. 

Eliminating roaches from your home is always a difficult task. They are adept hiders who can slip into tiny cracks and crevices. They can survive for long periods of time without food or water. The best way to truly eliminate American cockroaches from your home is to contact a pest control specialist who can find their entry points and make sure that not only is the problem eliminated, but will work to protect your home from further infestations. 

Find A Pest Specialist For Cockroach Control

If you are concerned about cockroaches and cockroach control for your home, please give us a call or fill out the form on this page. PestControlExperts.com is a team of experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your home, no matter which part of the United States you live in.