What To Do About American Cockroaches In Scottsdale Homes

In many ways, we are trained to believe larger is better. Just look at phones. Not ten years ago our cellular devices were so small we could hide them in one hand. Now some are so big they don’t fit into our pockets. There are many arguments on whether this is good or bad. What isn’t argued over is whether or not cockroaches should be bigger. These creepy-looking pests are scary enough as it is. That said, there is one large species of roach in our area that might just find its way into your  home. Here is what you need to know about American roaches and some practical steps to protect your Scottsdale home against these invasive insects.

A Few Facts About American Roaches

The American roach is the largest species of roach found in North America. It is also one of the most common. Besides these basics, here are some other facts you should know about the American cockroach.

• The American roach is fast and can travel up to 50 body lengths per second. To put this into perspective, if these pests were the size of humans, they would be able to travel at 210 miles per hour.

• The American cockroach doesn’t slow down when it transitions from floors to walls to ceilings.

• The American cockroach can live for up to two years.

• The American cockroach has wings. Their wings are not, however, strong enough for sustained flight but are mainly used to slow their fall if they are knocked from a high surface.

The Dangers Of Roaches

The American cockroach, like other area roaches, is a prime culprit for spreading diseases. Specifically, this pest is able to transmit 33 different kinds of bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 parasitic worms. What makes things worse is that you don’t have to touch a roach to get sick. If you even touch a surface they were on and then touch your face you could contract a life-changing illness. 

Another way American cockroaches get people sick is with their shed skins and fecal droppings. As infestations of these pests grow within homes, more and more of these particulates get released into the air which then can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

How To Prevent American Cockroaches

If cockroaches are not currently crawling around inside your Scottsdale home, now is your time to put in place some preventative measures. To simplify things for you today, here are nine basic tips and tricks that are guaranteed to reduce your chances of a roach infestation.

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your home.

• Keep clutter to a minimum.

• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.

• Make sure your gutters are in good working order.

• Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.

• Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun.

• Repair damage to window/door screens.

• Store leftover food inside airtight containers. 

• Clean out your pet’s food and water bowls before going to bed at night.

What To Do If You Find A Cockroach Inside Your Home

There are only two reasons why a cockroach will come out into the open in broad daylight; because it is abnormally brave, or because your walls voids and other hard-to-reach places around your home are becoming overcrowded with other roaches. Assuming the second is true, if you find a live roach inside your home, give the professionals at Green Home Pest Control a call immediately. We will send a qualified technician your way ASAP to assess your issue and put in place quick working control to get unwanted pest visitors out of your home.