Answering Elk Grove's Commonly Asked Oriental Cockroach Questions


August 10, 2021

Gross, ew, nasty! Never is it okay to see a giant Oriental cockroach in your house! They are truly the things nightmares are made of. Never fear, Elk Grove’s Pro Active Pest Control is here to put an end to your nightmares.

oriental cockroach on a hand

What Do They Look Like?

Well first we need to come clean about something. While they are named Oriental cockroaches, they are not of Asian origin. It is believed that they came from Africa. Talk about being mislabeled. They also are called water bugs or water roaches by many people, but regardless of what they are called, you don’t want them in your home! The males and females will differ in appearance and size.

  • Males - They are about ¾ inch long, shiny black to dark reddish-brown, shortened wings, six legs, antennas, and the abdominal section of the body exposed. Cannot fly.

  • Female - They are 1 ¼ inch long, shiny black to reddish-brown, six legs, antennas, and full wings. Cannot fly.

They usually live outside, but will come indoors in search of water in the hot summer months. They can go a month without food, but cannot survive without water.

Are They Dangerous?

Roaches carry some nasty germs as they scamper across your counter and on your food, Salmonellosis, giardia, and E.coli infection are just a few diseases they spread. Also, they are known to be an asthma and allergy trigger for many people. According to the EPA, children are more susceptible to cockroach allergies than adults. Cockroach allergens can be found in 63% of American homes. The allergens are made up of roach fecal matter, shed skins, and saliva. Prevention is the key to avoiding these issues.

How Do I Get Rid Of Them?

You can try. There are so many different products for roaches on the market, that you will spend days researching the best and safest methods. From traps to liquid concentrates, from granules to boric acid, all temporary solutions. Locating and targeting the nesting areas are difficult for the average DIYer. These products are caustic and need to be handled correctly so that your loved ones are not adversely affected. Really the best way to get rid of roaches is by contacting an exterminator. When you contact Pro Active Pest Control in Elk Grove, you can be assured that we will get the job done. We are so confident in our services that we offer a 100% service guarantee. Call for a free cockroach extermination estimate today.

Prevention

There are a few ways a wayward roach can find its way into your home, and it won’t be long before they begin to breed.

  • They can be brought in unknowingly via a cardboard box, or a piece of second-hand furniture. They may even hitch a ride in your purse or suitcase.

  • If you live in an apartment or duplex, it’s as simple as crawling through the wall from the adjacent dwelling.

  • Cracks in walls, defective door sweeps, and widows with damaged or missing screens may be entry points.

None of the above entry methods for a cockroach are based on a dirty home. However, if your home tends to be unkempt and full of clutter, the roaches will be free to breed exponentially. A never-ending food source and plenty of places to freely roam is a roach paradise.

Roaches like to stay put once they find a cozy spot to hunker down, and since their nests are deep in the walls, basements, and under the flooring of your home, they feel safe enough to start a maternity ward inside your home. A female roach can produce up to 300 babies a year. Hard to get rid of is an understatement. That’s why being aware of how they get in, and using Pro Active Pest Control’s expert cockroach control services, is the best way to combat them.

Tags: cockroach control | cockroach identification | cockroach prevention |

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