At Bug Commander Pest Control company in Frisco, TX, we know that cockroaches are the worst kinds of pests to have in your home. Cockroaches are not only one of the more repugnant bugs a homeowner can have to deal with but they can also be dangerous. Many people are allergic to cockroaches and the saliva, feces, and shedding body parts of roaches can trigger severe allergic reactions or even asthma attacks. Children are especially vulnerable to these kinds of allergies. In addition, cockroaches carry a number of diseases like dysentery, typhoid, and gastroenteritis whose effects can range from nausea and diarrhea to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Although there are 4,500 known species of cockroaches, there are only a handful of species that can be found in great numbers in Texas. Here are some things you need to know about these pest invaders:
American Cockroach
In spite of its name, the American cockroach came to America from Africa in the 1600s. It is one of the largest roaches in Texas; it can measure anywhere from 1½ to 2 inches in length. Generally, the American cockroach is an outdoor species. It prefers wood piles, dead trees, and sewers; however, it can flatten its body to enter homes through cracks around windows and doors and through holes around pipes and electric lines that come into a building. They are active at night and prefer dark, moist sites. They eat almost anything including meat, baked goods, leather, books and wallpaper paste. Reportedly, they spread 33 kinds of bacteria and six kinds of parasitic worm. They can cause illness by contaminating food and kitchen utensils with droppings and other secretions.
German Cockroach
These roaches are smaller than the American cockroach and are more likely to be found indoors in restaurants and kitchens. They may nest in kitchen cabinets, dishwashers, and ovens and eat most kinds of food, grease, and glue. German is one of the most common cockroach pests in the state of Texas. Like the American, they can cause illness through their feces and residue.
Asian Cockroach
These cockroaches are very similar to German roaches in size and color. They are active at night and can fly short distances.
Brown-banded Cockroach
The Brown-banded roach is about ⅝” in size, like the German, but they need less moisture and so can be found anywhere in the home. They will eat anything but prefer food with high starch content like books, wallpaper glue, and stamps.
Identifying the species of cockroach in your home is the first step we’ll take at Bug Commander Pest Control. We know that an effective treatment for one type of roach may not be effective for another; we also know that different habitats and speedy reproductive cycles mean that cockroaches are very difficult to eliminate. Call us at Bug Commander Pest Control at (214) 307-1933 if you suspect you have a cockroach problem. You can also visit us online to find out more about our pest control services.