Cockroach Identification & Prevention

While there are over 4000 species of cockroach, there are generally four kinds of cockroaches that can be found infesting homes in the Omaha area. These four species can be major pests in restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, offices and buildings with food-handling areas:

• German cockroaches are very common indoor cockroaches that range in color from brown to tan. They are usually carried indoors accidentally in boxes, bags or cardboard containers. They emit a musty smell and are notorious for being attracted by even the smallest crumbs of food.
• Brown-banded cockroach are small in size, often less than a centimeter. They are attracted to hot, dry climates and feed on materials high in starch such as books, wallpaper glue, and stamps.
• American cockroaches are brown and can grow over 3 inches long. They can fly and normally live outside, but will enter homes to find food and water. They avoid the light, and can be hard to detect until the infestation is serious.
• Oriental cockroach are dark reddish brown and enter homes by slipping under doors and through cracks. They tend to feed on garbage and waste.

Cockroaches in your home prefer to reside in dark, warm places with moisture and food. As a result, cockroaches can often be found hiding under kitchen sinks, in cupboards, closets, drawers and countless other places in the homes. Cockroaches are also nocturnal. Depending on the species, if you see a cockroach out in daylight, it could be a sign of a much larger infestation.

Many people are disgusted by the mere presence of cockroaches. However, cockroaches also present an important public health problem by contaminating food and eating utensils. Cockroaches are known to carry bacteria (such as Salmonella and E. coli) which can result in food poisoning or diarrhea. In large numbers, cockroaches secrete a substance which can result in unsightly stains and disagreeable odors. Finally, products of cockroach infestations, including saliva, feces and cast skins, are a source of allergens and can irritate allergies and asthma in people, especially children.

Cockroaches, particularly German cockroaches, have also been contacted to the occurrence of asthma in children. The excrement and debris from decomposing cockroach bodies can be lifted into the air, inhaled, triggering an immune reaction in the bronchial tubes. The allergic reaction in the bronchial tubes is known as asthma.

It is often very challenging to treat cockroaches. In most cases, your best bet is to hire Quality Pest Control to treat them. We have the necessary experience and tools to successfully eliminate these pests from your home. However, your cooperation by improving sanitation and reducing harborage areas is very important in the management of cockroaches:

• Do not use aerosol foggers and bombs. These products do a poor job of delivering insecticides to the cracks and crevices where cockroaches hide while increasing the exposure of pesticides to people and pets.

• Cockroaches are particularly challenging to control in multi-unit dwellings, such as apartment buildings. It is usually necessary to treat the units that are known to be infesting as well as all adjacent units. Cockroach control in multiple unit buildings usually requires the services of a professional pest exterminator. Call Quality Pest Control today.

Call the Omaha, NE pest professionals at Quality Pest Control for help managing your cockroaches today.