At some point in life, everyone experiences at least one heart-stopping moment when dread sets in, and they realize something is terribly wrong. Discovering cockroaches in a home may very well be one of those moments for many Lincoln homeowners. Cockroaches don't damage the structural integrity of your home, they don't bite or sting; the terror these insects create is due to their incredible ability to spread bacteria and diseases, and their dogged determination to stay alive.
A Few Facts About Common Roaches To The Lincoln Area
There are roughly 4,000 different species of cockroaches worldwide. Thankfully, the most common roaches found in the United States, including the Lincoln area, are:
- German cockroaches
- Brown-banded cockroaches
- American cockroaches
- Oriental cockroaches
They all have their own unique appearances as well. German cockroaches are roughly ½ to 5/8 of an inch long and tan or light brown. Brown-banded cockroaches are roughly ½ an inch long and light brown as well, but with two distinct dark brown bands around their wings and abdomen. American cockroaches are the biggest, roughly 1 ½ to two inches in length, and reddish-brown in color. Oriental cockroaches are pretty big as well, growing to be around one inch with more oval bodies, and are dark brown to black.
These insects are incredible runners, capable of traveling up to three miles within an hour. This impressive feat is also pretty terrifying, considering their travels often lead to cross-contamination. With as much as they scamper about, a small infestation could easily lead to serious health problems in a very short amount of time. Harmful bacteria and viruses aside, cockroach activity within the home also stirs up nasty little particulates that can exacerbate asthma and other allergic reactions. If you're wondering why you have to use your inhaler so often, cockroaches may be the culprit.
What To Do About Cockroaches In My Lincoln Home
When it comes to cockroaches, preventing an infestation can be difficult at best. They'll use any means necessary to infiltrate a home, especially if there's anything worth having behind those big, sturdy walls. The best first step is to ensure you don't already have an ongoing cockroach problem. You'll need to check for signs of:
- Defecation; smaller roaches leave behind pepper-like fecal matter or brown smears, while larger ones deposit rice-sized pellets
- Musky odor; a big enough infestation will create quite a pungent smell
- Egg casings; most look like little brown seeds, but each casing holds 30-50 eggs at a time
- Infestation at the neighbor's; if you hear your neighbors talking about an ongoing roach problem, chances are your house could be next
- Spotting a roach in transit; cockroaches are nocturnal, but if you see one during the day, you most likely have a serious infestation
If you don't spot any tell-tale signs of an infestation and you think you're in the clear, the next step is to make your home unappealing to roach intruders. Prevention steps aren't a guarantee to roach-free living, but it'll at least make it more difficult for them to shack up in your abode.
Prevention Tips:
- Seal up gaps between utility pipes and wires
- Repair cracks and holes within the foundation of your home
- Fix any leaks in pipes and the roof
- Remove excess moisture in more humid rooms; kitchen, basement, bathroom, laundry room
- Deep clean your home; sweep under appliances and furniture, scrub floorboards, clean the depths of your cupboards
- Maintain proper food and trash storage
- Replace worn-down insulation around windows and outside-leading doors
What Should I Do If I Discover Cockroaches In My Lincoln Home?
Cockroach infestations are hazardous to your health and an absolute nightmare to eradicate. They can survive for over a half-hour submerged in water, a week without a head, and a month without food. They've been known to withstand freezing temperatures, and have shown concerning signs of resistance to pesticides. If you think you're dealing with a roach problem, call in the professionals as soon as possible.
Our highly-trained pest specialists at Pro Active Pest Control know exactly what it takes to get rid of an ongoing cockroach infestation. We use state-of-the-art pest control equipment and pesticides in all of our treatments, our methods and chemicals are all eco-friendly, and all of our treatments come with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. We want to make sure that you have the best experience possible with us, so if you notice a persisting infestation after we treat your home, we come back out and re-treat until it's resolved with no additional fees. Let us help you keep you and your loved ones safe. Contact us today to start discussing your pest control options.