A Handy Guide To Cockroach Control For Florida Property Owners

There is little more disconcerting than turning on the lights in your kitchen only to see a cockroach—or two—scurry across the floor and disappear into a crack somewhere. While this alone is enough to make even the bravest person’s skin crawl, did you know that cockroaches aren’t just unsightly, but dangerous, too?

That’s right. Cockroaches can be dangerous to humans which is why you should take all the necessary steps to reduce your exposure and prevent cockroaches from entering into your home. You and your family’s health could depend on it.

Common Area Cockroaches

All cockroaches have flat, oval-shaped bodies with six legs, long antennae, and wings that lie flat on their backs (though not all cockroaches fly).

With that said, each species of cockroach has more defining characteristics that allow you to know exactly which kind of roach you are dealing with. Here in Jacksonville, the species you are most likely to encounter include American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Asian cockroaches, and Australian cockroaches.

American cockroaches are the largest domestic cockroach in the U.S., growing up to 1 ¾ inch in length. They are reddish-brown in color with a yellow figure-8 pattern behind their heads. They are capable of flying.

German cockroaches are brown in color and feature two black stripes behind their heads that run parallel to their bodies. They are capable of flying but do so only rarely.

Asian cockroaches look very similar to German cockroaches but are more prone to flying than their counterparts. Moreover, Asian cockroaches are less likely to come indoors.

Australian cockroaches look similar to American cockroaches, however, they feature light-yellow stripes on their abdomens.

What Threats Do Cockroaches Pose?

When it comes to cockroaches, the primary threat they pose to humans has to do with the human pathogens and diseases they spread as they move about our homes. Cockroaches pick these up while wandering around outside, in the trash, sewers, and other locations; then, they spread them to countertops, floors, and even food.

In addition to this, cockroaches trigger asthma and allergies in at-risk people and children. There is any number of reasons you don’t want cockroaches in your home which is why you should take the necessary preventive actions to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Cockroach Prevention Techniques

When it comes to cockroach prevention, the goal is to remove any factors that might attract them into your homes such as access to food or water. With that in mind, here are some helpful techniques you can utilize to cut down on your chances of having a cockroach infestation.

• Properly store all food in air-tight containers or the refrigerator.

• Wipe up any spills from countertops or floor immediately.

• Refrain from stacking up dirty dishes in the sink.

• Take out the trash regularly.

• Store trash in tightly-sealed bins.

• Fix any leaking pipes or fixtures.

• Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home.

• Seal any gaps around window and door frames.

If you can accomplish these simple tasks, you should greatly reduce your odds of having any cockroach infestations.

The Best Way To Prevent And Eliminate Cockroach Infestations

While you can and should take all the necessary precautions to prevent roach infestations, the best way to prevent and eliminate current and future infestations is to call the professionals here at Lindsey Pest Services. Not only will we eliminate any infestation you may currently be dealing with, but will also provide on-going assistance to prevent future infestations.

Don’t put you and your family’s health at risk. If you think you may be dealing with a cockroach infestation, call Lindsey Pest Services today.