There are many things you can do to prevent a cockroach infestation or to get control of a cockroach infestation in your home. If you’re willing to roll your sleeves up, you can have success, but it depends on the cockroaches you’re dealing with in your home and on your property. Some cockroach infestations are more difficult to control than others. When you have difficult roaches, or when things go wrong, your secret weapon is professional Tucson pest control. Join us as we look at which Tucson roaches are the worst, the dangers they present, and what you can do to get rid of cockroaches without cockroach control products. 

Types Of Roaches That Infest Tucson Homes

We have three kinds of cockroaches in Tucson that you should know how to identify. They vary in their ability to infest your home. Let’s start with the worst.

German Cockroaches

These little, tan-colored pests aren’t just the worst of all cockroaches – they are among the worst of all structure-infesting pests in the world. They reproduce quickly, are highly adaptable, and are able to live in conditions that are inhospitable.

American Cockroaches

These large, chestnut-colored roaches are often called palmetto bugs. They got this name because they love to hang out underneath palmetto fronds. They do this to shield themselves from the drying effects of the sun and to keep themselves hydrated in the moist environment found underneath vegetation. While these insects can infest your home, you can have some success in deterring them by reducing moisture and humidity.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are relatively small, only growing to about ½ inch long. They can be identified by the lighter brown bands across their darker brown bodies. Like other species, these pests prefer moist environments and are often found in kitchens and bathrooms. Their small size can make it easy for them to go unnoticed in your home. Reducing moisture in your home can also be somewhat effective in preventing this species.

Did you notice the theme? Moisture control is your weapon against cockroaches. When combined with a high level of sanitation, you can have some success keeping cockroaches out of your home. However, for a serious cockroach infestation, especially with German cockroaches, you’re going to need professional treatment. Reach out to Pest Friends for assistance in Tucson.

Is This A Cockroach Or A Beetle?

The first step to preventing and controlling cockroaches in your home is knowing how to identify them. Cockroaches can look similar to other insects, including beetles. However, there are some simple ways that you can tell them apart.

When it comes to cockroaches and beetles, most people prefer not to deal with either. However, cockroaches often rank higher on the “gross meter” than beetles. Out of the 350,000 different beetles worldwide, only a few typically bring significant problems to homes. Knowing the distinct differences between the different types of cockroaches and beetles can aid in adequately removing them from homes.

A listing of differences between cockroaches and beetles includes the following:

• Cockroaches are typically larger than beetles.
• Cockroaches’ antennae are long; beetles’ antennae are short.
• Cockroaches’ legs are long and have noticeable spikes; beetles have short legs that bend close to their body.
• Cockroach bodies are narrow, oval, and flat; beetles are thick.
• Cockroach bodies have no gaps between their head, thorax, and body, whereas beetles’ heads have a noticeable gap between their head and body.
• Cockroaches move fast; beetles are slow movers.

Cockroaches are also much more likely to invade your home than beetles. Beetles prefer to live outdoors, while cockroaches thrive inside our homes. If you regularly see bugs in your home that resemble roaches or beetles, it is more likely that they are cockroaches. Unfortunately, cockroaches are a much more problematic insect. Next up, we’ll explore some other signs that you may have a cockroach infestation in your home.

How To Tell If You Have A Cockroach Infestation

Cockroaches are most active at night and are excellent hiders. This makes it difficult to see the insects themselves. However, cockroaches leave behind other telltale signs of their presence.

Do you suspect that cockroaches have taken up residence in your home? Here is how you can tell:

• You see cockroach droppings. Cockroach droppings look like coffee grounds or smear marks on surfaces.
• You detect a strong, musty smell. 
• You find odd, dark-colored capsules around your home. They might be cockroach egg casings, which each contain many eggs inside.
• Unexplained damage to personal belongings such as books, leather, etc., can be due to cockroach activity.
• You find the exoskeleton of cockroaches but no actual cockroaches. Cockroaches are good at hiding, but you can still find their exoskeletons as they shed them.
• If you find a cockroach in your house, you are sure to have more hiding out of sight.

You might not always see cockroaches in your home, even if they are active and are reproducing, but you will most likely see one of the signs above. If you suspect a cockroach infestation, it is crucial that you take control of it and learn how to deter cockroaches.

Cockroaches Trigger Allergies And Spread Dangerous Diseases

While it is sometimes possible to control cockroaches on your own, you might not want to make the attempt. If your cockroach control falls short, it can leave you exposed to allergens and diseases. Cockroaches are implicated in the spread of more than 33 kinds of bacteria, seven human pathogens, and at least six parasitic worms. Here is a breakdown of diseases that cockroaches can spread:

• E. coli infection
• Salmonellosis
• Typhoid fever
• Giardia
• Cholera
• Listeriosis
• Gastroenteritis
• Dysentery

Not only do cockroaches spread disease, their presence inside homes is connected to an increase in hospitalization for asthma-related symptoms. A cockroach’s shed skin, feces, saliva, and urine can cause problems for people who suffer from asthma and allergies. 

The cockroaches in your home are attracted to filthy things and they are quite efficient at spreading microorganisms around. If you decide to tackle your roach problem on your own, please make sanitation a priority. Doing so can reduce the risk of bacterial illness. For the safest and most effective cockroach control, it is always best to work with pest control professionals.

Five Effective Cockroach-Prevention Tips For Around The House

Whether you have had cockroach problems in the past or simply want to take a proactive approach to cockroach control, prevention is key to keeping your home cockroach-free. We’ve already touched on two of the five tips we’re going to share. Here are some specific ways to apply these control methods.

1. Address exterior moisture. Clean your gutters. Remove organic debris. Move stacked wood away from your exterior. Fix plumbing leaks.
2. Keep your exterior clean. Clean your trash receptacles. Pick up litter. Remove piled objects. If you have compost, make sure it is properly mixed.
3. Seal potential entry points. Use a caulking gun to seal gaps. Patch foundation cracks. Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps if needed. Install weep hole protectors. 
4. Reduce interior moisture. Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and garbage disposals. Install a dehumidifier. Use your bathroom fan when you take a shower or bath.
5. Keep your interior free of food options. Clean. Deep clean. Put dirty dishes in soapy water. Keep food in sealed containers. Put pet food down only during mealtimes.

Do you see how it works? Cockroaches are looking for moisture and food. If they can’t find what they’re looking for, they may go elsewhere. Despite your best efforts, your home may still be susceptible to cockroaches. In that case, reach out to your local cockroach control experts.

The Secret To Total Cockroach Control For Tucson Homes

Getting rid of cockroaches is only part of the battle. You also need to keep them from coming back. DIY cockroach prevention can provide some relief, but an experienced pest control company can help you find more long-lasting and effective methods to keep your home free of cockroaches. 

Cockroaches are not only startling and unsettling; these scavengers can carry serious diseases. If keeping your home clean and using prevention tactics aren’t helping you get rid of cockroaches, it is time to contact a professional pest control company and ask about effective cockroach control that fits your needs. Your secret weapon is a licensed pest management professional. Here are a few reasons why:

• Your technician will identify the cockroach species you’re dealing with on your property and select appropriate products to address the specific species.
• Your technician will inspect your property and consider breeding sites, conducive conditions, and other important factors that relate to cockroach control.
• Your technician is trained to apply a regime of control products to deal with German cockroaches.
• Your technician uses field-tested inspection methods to make sure no cockroaches remain inside your home.

If you live in Tucson, you’re in our service area. Reach out to us at Pest Friends for a cockroach treatment or for ongoing protection from cockroach infestations. Our residential pest control service is one of the best in the area. We can keep cockroaches, and a long list of other pests, out of your home. Connect with us today to request a pest control inspection.