If you're concerned that you might have cockroaches in your Anaheim home, you need a professional Anaheim pest control company like A-1 Bonded Termite to help you get rid of them. Cockroaches can cause serious diseases and allergies, so you need to eradicate any infestation you might have as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn how to tell if you have cockroaches, the reasons they're dangerous, why they're so hard to get rid of, and the secret to getting rid of them fast.
How Do I Tell If It's Cockroaches In My House?
There are three main types of cockroaches in the Anaheim area: American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and oriental cockroaches. However, the signs of a cockroach infestation are primarily the same for each species.
- Cockroach droppings: Cockroach droppings look like coffee grounds or black pepper scattered around on your counters and floors.
- Smear marks: Cockroaches may smear their droppings on walls or in corners. These smears are irregularly shaped and black.
- Musty smell: Cockroaches use their pheromones to communicate, creating a dry, musty smell.
- Egg capsules: Cockroaches are unique in the way they reproduce. After mating once, the female never needs a male again to lay eggs. She creates four to five egg capsules during her lifetime, each with 30 to 50 eggs, then carries the capsule with her until a few days before the eggs are ready to hatch. The capsules are brown, segmented, and about 1/5 to 1/2 inch long, depending on the species.
- Shed skin: From the time they're born to the time they reach adulthood, cockroaches molt 11 to 13 times, depending on the species. They leave the tan to light brown exoskeletons behind.
- Nymphs: Nymphs are brown baby cockroaches that look like full-grown cockroaches, only smaller. They range in size from 1/8 to 1/2 inch long.
- Full-grown cockroaches: Surprisingly, one of the least likely signs of cockroaches is cockroaches themselves. These insects are experts at staying hidden. Spotting a roach in the open is often a sign of a serious infestation.
American cockroaches are the largest of the three species. They grow up to 2 1/2 inches in length. They're brown with leathery wings that they can use for gliding from a higher elevation to a lower one. They have six legs and two antennae, and a yellowish figure eight marking on their heads. German cockroaches are the smallest, only reaching 1/2 to 5/8 inches long as adults. They're brown with parallel black lines on their backs. They're also the most common type of cockroach in the Anaheim area. Oriental cockroaches are medium-sized, growing to about 1 inch long. They're a shiny black color and resemble beetles.
If you see any of these signs, call A-1 Bonded Termite to get rid of cockroaches.
Why Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
There are two primary reasons cockroaches are dangerous. The first is that they can carry as many as 46 bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens that could make you very sick, including:
- Salmonella
- Typhoid fever
- Cholera
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Listeria
- Giardia
- E. coli
The second reason cockroaches are dangerous is that they can cause allergic reactions, especially in children and people with asthma. However, anyone can develop an allergy to cockroaches. German cockroaches are the most likely to cause allergic reactions. Allergies can cause or exacerbate asthma attacks.
If you think you have cockroaches in your home, you need cockroach control from A-1 Bonded Termite.
Why It's So Hard To Get Rid Of Cockroaches
Cockroaches are tough to eliminate. First, they're highly adaptable. They can fit through the narrowest cracks because their exoskeletons are flexible. They can find nutrition from a wide variety of sources, including cardboard boxes, books, glue, wallpaper, toothpaste, and hair.
Second, cockroaches breed fast. The average female can produce 128 eggs in her lifetime. They can breed up to six generations a year, with each batch of sexually mature females laying 128 eggs apiece. What may seem like just a few cockroaches in your kitchen could actually be a few thousand behind your walls.
Third, cockroaches are incredibly resilient. They produce enzymes that protect them from toxic environments and substances. They can live for a week with no water and a month with no food. Additionally, cockroaches are resistant to many commercially available pesticides, even those relied upon by pest control companies. They're breeding that resistance in each new generation.
For these reasons, it's imperative that you seek professional pest control for roaches whenever you see signs that they may have infested your house.
The Secret To Getting Rid Of Cockroaches Fast!
If you want to know how to get rid of cockroaches for good, the answer is simple: call a professional pest control company like A-1 Bonded Termite. We have 46 years of experience in our third-generation family-owned and operated pest control business, and we know all the tricks to get rid of cockroaches. Contact us today for your free inspection.