Here in Raleigh, there’s a lot to enjoy. However, we’re not the only ones who enjoy this town. Cockroaches are a reality that Raleigh property owners, unfortunately, have to think about. These dangerous, nuisance pests crawl around looking for sustenance and water, and where better than your property? In North Carolina, the most prevalent species of cockroach are the American cockroach and the German cockroach. Let’s review some of the distinctions between the two.
American Cockroach
- Measures from 1-3 inches long.
- They are the largest house-infesting roach species
- They are reddish-brown.
- They have a distinct yellow-colored, figure-eight pattern behind their heads.
- They have wings and can fly short distances.
German Cockroach
- They measure from ½ – ¾ long.
- They are the smallest house-infesting roach species.
- They are yellowish-brown in color.
- They have two short, horizontal, black stripes running from the back of their heads to the base of their wings.
- They cannot fly and they hate the light.
Now that we know the basic identifiers of our local cockroaches, let’s discuss the consequences of having these intruders enter your property. What’s the big deal, anyway? They’re small and harmless, right? Not exactly; they are sneaky, unsanitary pests that pose a real threat to your health. They are disease-causing little invaders that are always spreading germs wherever they go. Just think about all of the places they frequent.
Cockroaches like to hang out in trash, sewage, dumps, and other filthy places where they can feed on decaying matter and other organic food sources. This includes all kinds of bacteria-ridden places. When they enter our homes, they bring that bacteria with them. As they crawl around your space, traveling along vulnerable surfaces, they spread these pathogens and cause widespread contamination. This exposes you to adverse health reactions.
What Can Happen Because Of A Cockroach Infestation?
Cockroach infestation leads to a long list of diseases, such as dysentery, cholera, leprosy, Typhoid fever, and a host of viral diseases. As cockroaches spread around your space, not only do they contaminate the insulation, causing allergens to become airborne, but they also leave feces, saliva, shed skin, and other droppings everywhere they go. This exacerbates allergies and asthma symptoms.
Imagine you’re sitting down breakfast, ready to start the day, but little do you know cockroaches have contaminated your food. The food itself, the food prep surfaces, not to mention all their droppings. There could be cockroach carcasses in your cereal, and you’d have no idea until suffering from a severe allergic reaction.
So, How Can You Tell If You Have A Cockroach Infestation?
That’s a great question. Obviously, no one wants to experience a cockroach problem; it’s even more frustrating trying to figure out how they got inside in the first place, wishing there was something you could have done about it. It would be nice if there were some signs that we could look out for, and luckily, there are some common indications of cockroach activity to keep in mind.
Usually, cockroaches create a sort of musky odor throughout active areas. It’s an unpleasant smell that’s hard to miss. Additionally, there are all the droppings they leave behind. As mentioned earlier, cockroaches leave excrement and saliva and feces wherever they roam. This includes cockroach carcasses and egg casings that they discard as they progress through their life cycle.
If you suspect cockroach activity in your Raleigh home, there’s only one reliable way to go – professional pest control. Innovative Pest Solutions provides comprehensive cockroach control and prevention services that protect your property throughout the year. Your well-being is too precious to put at risk, and when cockroaches invade, they seriously compromise your health. Contact us today to schedule an initial inspection, we’re here to help you kick those nasty cockroaches to the curb once and for all.
