Charlotte's Guide To Effectively Getting Rid Of Roaches In The Home

How To Tell If You Have A Cockroach Infestation

Cockroaches can live in your Charlotte home without providing any warning signs that you have a cockroach infestation. Before you say, "Well that's just great," we have some good news. There are several ways you can detect cockroaches in your home easily. While super secretive, roaches can't help but leave a few signs for you to find. If you know what to look for and where to look, you should have no trouble telling whether or not you have a roach problem.

• Roach Droppings: Cockroaches can't help but do their business all around your home. They'll leave tiny black specks on floors, walls, surfaces, and even ceilings. Check secluded locations within your home for obvious droppings. You can also look in the cabinets underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Move items and look toward the backs. Areas of high humidity and moisture tend to attract cockroaches. When you find droppings, sanitize the area and return later to see if more droppings appear. If so, you have an active cockroach infestation in your home.  
• Shed Skins: Cockroaches shed their skins as they grow from immature nymphs to full-grown adults. You may find these skins in cracks, gaps, seams, pockets, and other hiding places. The first place to look for shed skins is in storage rooms and attic spaces. Open boxes and inspect the items inside. Inspect stored furniture. Check clothing items.
• Egg Pouches: Cockroaches create egg pouches called oothecae. These pouches are typically brownish-red. You'll find them in secluded locations. As you search, be aware that you may only find the casings and not the oothecae. Locating casings is a warning sign that roaches are reproducing in your home. Each ootheca typically contains 16 eggs.
• Nymphs: While you're not likely to see adult cockroaches unless you have a severe infestation, you may see nymphs during your inspection. Baby roaches look like adult roaches, only they're smaller and wingless. What helps with easy identification is that baby roaches run as fast as adults, but they're several times smaller. If you see a little insect zip out of sight, you probably have a roach infestation.

When you find evidence of a cockroach infestation and determine that roaches are currently active in your home, the next step is to consider control methods. If you discover German cockroaches, we recommend immediately contacting Go-Forth Home Services for a German cockroach treatment. German roaches are notoriously difficult to control. 

How Cockroaches Are Harmful To Your Health

When you clean up infested areas and remove droppings, insect parts, and oothecae, you need to wear protective gear. We recommend rubber gloves and a mask or respirator. When you're done cleaning, consider shedding your clothes and putting them through a hot wash. It might seem a bit much, but cockroaches aren't accidentally dirty insects, they are attracted to filthy things. If you give a cockroach the choice of eating fresh food or rotting food, which do you think they'll choose? They'll go for the rotting food every time. They also eat gross things like carrion, feces, and hair. The World Health Organization refers to cockroaches as unhygienic scavengers in human settlements. It is an apt description. Cockroaches aren't looking to make people sick. It doesn't benefit them to give us a reason to want to destroy them with extreme prejudice. Unfortunately, their behavior patterns expose them to harmful bacteria, parasitic worms, and human pathogens. They are also a source of allergens. Recent studies reveal an increase in hospitalizations for asthma-related symptoms in homes that have cockroach infestations (particularly for children).

According to the CDC, cockroaches demonstrate an ability and propensity to spread Salmonella typhimurium, Entamoeba histolytica, and the poliomyelitis virus. Other sources strongly link cockroaches to Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis, and Cyclospora cayetanensis. In most cases, roach-related sickness manifests as stomach ailments and flu-like symptoms. In short, it is a good idea to wear protective gear when cleaning up infested areas. 

Five Tips For Effective Cockroach Control In Charlotte

Now that you understand what you're up against, it is time to discuss how to get rid of cockroach infestations. These all-natural tips will provide effective control without the need for cockroach control products. 

1. Moisture Control

One of the best ways to drive roaches out of a home is to control moisture. Cockroaches that have a high moisture requirement, such as American and Oriental roaches, may go outside if your home is too dry for them.

• Fix leaking faucets
• Repair leaking garbage disposals
• Use your vent fan when taking a shower or bath
• Install a dehumidifier
• Moisture control may seem like a small thing, but to certain cockroaches, it is a deal breaker.

2. Sanitation

No self-respecting roach wants to live in a clean home. When you keep things clean, roaches won't like it. You'll also deprive them of food options.

• Clean up food debris
• Clean spills up quickly
• Deep clean the sides of your oven and around appliances
• Remove your indoor trash routinely and keep your receptacles clean
• Clean food shelves
• Clean your bathroom thoroughly

Cockroaches love homes that provide lots of food options. Food debris, juice spills, hair, dead skin, feces, damp paper, and cardboard are all on the menu.

3. Protect Food

While cockroaches prefer decaying food, they'll eat the food you and your pets eat. If you protect your food, you'll make it harder for roaches to find a meal.

• Keep food covered when on the counter.
• Don't leave pet food overnight.
• Put dry dog food in a container.
• Consider storing certain foods in sealed plastic containers.
• Clean your couch and living room chairs.
• Check all wastepaper baskets for food items and throw them in your kitchen trash.
• Consider only eating in your dining room and kitchen until the roaches are gone.

When you take these steps, you'll control more than just cockroaches. Many pests stay inside homes that have food sources available. 

4. Seal Entry Points

Cockroaches don't tunnel into your home. They take advantage of entry points that already exist. If you close these routes, you can keep roaches out. These tips work best for Oriental cockroaches and wood roaches.

• Seal gaps around utilities.
• Seal gaps around exterior doors.
• Fix damaged screens.
• Patch foundation cracks.
• Fill in wood holes or gaps between wood members.

If you see a hole, no matter how tiny, patch it up. Cockroaches are attracted to tight spaces and will take advantage of the tiniest of openings.

5. Address Exterior Attractants

Cockroaches get into homes somewhat accidentally. What happens is they find reasons to explore near exterior walls and then get in through tiny gaps and cracks. One way to stop roaches from continuing to get into your home is to address attractants.

• Rake leaves and pick up sticks. Roaches prefer organic debris.
• Move objects away from your exterior. Roaches hide under anything that provides protection from the sun.
• Move wood piles away from your exterior walls. Wood is especially attractive to all cockroaches, not just wood roaches.
• Clean your gutters to reduce perimeter moisture.
• Clean your trash receptacles to reduce odors that attract cockroaches.

When you roll your sleeves up and tackle these tasks, your roach problems may become a thing of the past. Professional control is typically required when roaches are well-established or cockroach pressure in the yard are higher than normal. In all cases, German cockroaches are best controlled with professional service.