Summer is the time to be outdoors. Whether you enjoy hiking, picnicking, or just relaxing in the sun, a lot of us look forward to this season. It’s an unfortunate coincidence that we aren’t the only ones looking forward to the summer. Cockroaches are one of the main pests that bother Oklahoma residents during these sunny months, and they can quickly take over a living space. We at Montgomery Exterminating provide high quality pest control in Owasso, and we want to keep you and your loved ones safe.
What Do Cockroaches Look Like?
Oklahoma has three main types of cockroaches, which are American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches. All of them can infest homes, and there are certain features they all have in common. All cockroaches:
- Have two long antennae
- Have six jointed legs
- Have a vertical head
- Have two wings that they seldom or never use to fly, depending on the species
Differences between the three types of cockroaches exist in size, color, and where they infest. American cockroaches are the largest, growing up to three inches long. Next in size is the Oriental cockroach, which is about an inch long, and then the German cockroach at 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch.
American cockroaches are dark reddish-brown, with a yellow outline on their thorax (the body segment behind their head). Oriental cockroaches are shiny, and German cockroaches are light brown or tan. Both American and German cockroaches infest indoors, whereas the Oriental cockroach likes to stick to the outdoors.
Are Cockroaches Dangerous To Have In Your Home?
These pests are dangerous to have infesting your home. Their diet and their filthy habits jeopardize the health of humans and pets. Some dangers to consider from cockroaches are:
- The spread of pathogens
- The contamination of food
- Bites
Though they aren’t known for it, cockroaches do bite. Their diet is anything but scrupulous. They eat all types of food, cardboard, paper, human hair, and even human flesh. A bite will cause irritation, swelling, lesions, and the risk of becoming infected.
Because cockroaches live in filth, they track pathogens everywhere, depositing bacteria and viruses wherever they venture. If they get into food supplies, they’ll undoubtedly contaminate them with bacteria that could cause serious illness in humans. Specifically, food contamination can lead to staphylococcus infections, diarrhea, and food poisoning.
Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Roaches Inside Homes?
Cockroaches in your home are one of the worst infesting pests around. Seeing one may not seem too alarming, but it can mean a substantial number of them are living on your property. Some difficulties with cockroach infestations are:
- They are incredibly talented at hiding.
- They reproduce quickly.
- They reproduce frequently throughout their lifetime.
- They can develop resistance to pesticides.
These insects are adept at surviving. Their desire to remain out of sight is encouraged by their flat bodies, which allow them to sneak into small cracks and crevices. You might find them behind appliances in the kitchen, in drains, and in the bathroom. But it probably won’t be limited to just one nest. Cockroaches spread around a property and lay multiple eggs. If you’ve found one cockroach in your apartmentor home, you’ll most likely have more in other nearby places.
Reproduction is a huge factor. Females can lay 16 eggs at one time. Over their life, they can lay these sets six to 14 times. In total, that would be 244 eggs. For some, it takes 44 days to mature, so it can mean infestations might not be over when you think they are.
At Montgomery Exterminating, we know that cockroaches are getting more and more resistant to pesticides. Spraying cockroach pesticideon your own is never a good idea. It might only end up endangering you or your loved ones while these pests continue to run rampant. Cockroach control products are unfortunately not always as effective as companies claim.
Effective Cockroach Control In Owasso
There are ways to prevent cockroaches from invading your property. They will look for food, warm places to hide, and moisture. If you’re proactive enough, infestations might never start. How to keep cockroaches away:
- Fix leaky pipes.
- Dry up all standing water.
- Check for cockroaches behind appliances, in bathrooms, in attics, and in basements.
- Treat drains.
- Seal up cracks around the property.
- Keep all food in airtight containers.
- Use a dehumidifier.
Deterring cockroaches takes constant effort, and sometimes they will still find a reason to infest. At Montgomery Exterminating, we are proud to be pioneers of new pest control methods. After leading the pest control industry in Oklahoma for more than 30 years, we were one of eight companies that brought the Sentricon system to our home state. Our preventive, analytical, and pest elimination expertise are unmatched. Call us today.
