Cockroach Identification & Prevention

What You Need To Know About Cockroaches

Several types of cockroaches have developed close relationships with people. They have learned that they will have access to their basic needs where we live. Learning about these pests is the best way to stop your home from becoming a place they become comfortable. To learn more about the type of cockroaches you may have on your Phoenix, Arizona property, please see below. Then contact Protection Termite Control!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cockroaches

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are insects identified by their flat, oval bodies, six spiny-covered legs, and long antennae. They are an insect that has survived the test of time through their ability to adapt to new situations and their scavenging feeding habits. Cockroaches can eat almost anything.

Three cockroach species that are most prevalent in our region are American, German, and oriental cockroaches.

• American cockroaches are the largest species to find their way inside homes and businesses across the United States. They are reddish-brown and have a yellowish figure-eight-like marking behind their heads. These cockroaches are capable of flying.
• German cockroach adults have well-developed wings, but they never fly. They are a small tan species with two darker parallel lines found behind their heads. Adult females carry the egg capsule, which protrudes from the rear abdomen, until the eggs are ready to hatch.
• Oriental cockroaches have a more robust, beetle-like appearance than other cockroaches. They are shiny, black, or brown in color. You can easily identify oriental cockroaches by their slow movements. Though these cockroaches are winged, like the German cockroach, they do not fly.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are one of the most dangerous pests to find their way into our homes. Cockroaches spread 33 kinds of bacteria, six types of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens.

As these insects crawl through decaying matter and sewage, they pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies. They then carry and spread pathogens onto food and surfaces.

Recent medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause allergic reactions, including asthma, in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead roaches.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

The German cockroach and our region’s other cockroaches have adapted to living near people and inside our homes and businesses. Cockroaches become a problem after they get inside.

If you see these insects during the day, it is because there is a large cockroach infestation present. Their numbers have become so large that hiding spots are scarce, or food and moisture are in such short supply that daytime foraging is necessary.

Where will I find cockroaches?
German cockroaches like to congregate in areas of a home that are warm and humid near food sources like our kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and crawl spaces. German cockroaches found in non-food areas of a home or building, like the bedroom, usually indicate a heavy infestation.

American cockroaches are found in food processing, food storage buildings, and other structures, including our homes. They are active when the temperature is 70 degrees or higher but can survive lower temperatures with the right conditions. American cockroaches are often found in sewers or basements, particularly around pipes and drains.

Oriental cockroaches have high moisture needs and often travel through sewer pipes. They survive on filth and enjoy temperatures from 68-84 degrees. The oriental cockroach usually enters through drains and harbors in basements and crawl spaces. Outside, in addition to drains and sewers, they are found in leaf piles and firewood or other debris.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

Using the latest technology, effective services, and thorough inspections, the professionals at Protection Termite Control will help you get rid of cockroaches and other common household pests. We are committed to our customers and providing the highest quality services possible.

To control cockroaches, we offer the following:

• Control
• Removal
• Extermination
• Proofing

For more information about cockroach and home pest control in Phoenix and our family-owned and local pest control company, reach out today.

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Use the below helpful tips to avoid issues with cockroaches in and around your Phoenix area home.

• Seal cracks that provide cockroaches with entrances into your home. 
• Practice good sanitation within your home, including regularly vacuuming (using a HEPA filter) and wiping down surfaces.
• Store your family’s food in the fridge or air-tight containers.
• Remove areas of clutter from your home that cockroaches like to hide under.

If you ever find a cockroach in your house, immediately contact us at Protection Termite Control for professional cockroach control.