Much like death and taxes, confronting cockroaches on an annual basis is one of the few guarantees that Florida residents can bank on. Thanks to the local climate and geography, Florida is a haven for cockroaches of all kinds. To combat the problem effectively, it’s important for home and business owners to know what they’re up against before implementing pest-control solutions.
What You Should Know About Cockroaches
Cockroaches are omnivorous insects distantly related to termites and thrive in hot and humid tropical climates. They feed on everything from food crumbs to dead skin depending on the species in question. The most common varieties can live for up to two years. A single female will produce several hundred eggs over the course of a lifetime.
How to Identify a Cockroach
Most Floridians will encounter at least one of three different cockroach variants: American, German and Smoky Brown. The American cockroach is the most common and the largest. Often referred to as water bugs, American cockroaches measure up to 2 inches in length and feature wings as well as reddish-brown bodies. They have a tendency to become airborne once the ambient temperature exceeds 85 degrees.
What Attracts Cockroaches to Your Home
While cockroaches like any area that’s dark and damp, they tend to be drawn in by a reliable supply of food. An unkempt kitchen with plenty of food scraps under the cabinets is like catnip to these little critters. Cockroaches typically gain access to your home or office via gaps in the siding, drain grates and pipes.
Potential Dangers of a Cockroach Infestation
A swarm of cockroaches can adversely affect your person and possessions in a number of ways. A few good examples include:
Damaged Property
While cockroaches aren’t as dangerous as termites insofar as property damage is concerned, they can do a serious number on household goods. Since they go after anything based on cellulose, they’ve been known to attack books and textiles in particular. If you don’t eradicate cockroaches quickly once they appear, they can quickly destroy your library.
Health Issues
Like most insects, cockroaches are highly effective when it comes to spreading around illnesses via bacteria and viruses. Cockroaches have been known to increase the likelihood of food poisoning and diarrhea in households that aren’t cleaned often. Furthermore, cockroaches can potentially exacerbate allergic reactions and respiratory issues like asthma in particularly vulnerable individuals.
Reduced Quality of Life
Anyone that’s dealt with a cockroach infestation at some point knows that these pesky critters can disrupt a person’s peace of mind without a lot of effort. It’s difficult to relax when you’re constantly stomping these insects or worrying about them jumping on you when you’re trying to sleep. Cockroaches can also be surprisingly loud depending on the species in question.
Taking Care of Business When Cockroaches Strike
While Floridians can try to stave off cockroaches through various preventative measures, serious action is required once they establish turf. The fine folks at PestBear can quickly assess your cockroach problem and provide a free and accurate quote on extermination services. If swarming cockroaches are the problem, contact PestBear and count on our professionals to eliminate those unwanted pests.
