Everything Louisville Property Owners Should Know About American Cockroaches

Some pests are so universally known for their filth that they are often the first ones that come to mind when we think of dangerous and unsavory infestations. Cockroaches are chief among them, American cockroaches specifically. Learning how you can prevent and address a cockroach problem will help you stay protected from the real dangers that their populations can bring.

What’s An American Cockroach?

The American cockroach is the largest home-invading cockroach in the world. While they aren’t as common as the German cockroach, they can grow much larger and are nearly just as common. American cockroaches aren’t actually from America, actually. They were first introduced from Africa via shipping routes to the colonies. They’ve certainly earned their name, though, as American cockroaches have thrived in every corner of the New World. Here’s how you can spot them:

• Size: American cockroaches frequently grow several inches in total length, with long antennae that can give them an even longer appearance. 
• Color: American cockroaches are brown or reddish in color, with a tell-tale figure-8 shape on the tops of their heads.
• Shape: Cockroaches are ovular, top-shelled bugs, though they do have papery wings tucked up under the backplates. 

Why Are Cockroaches Bad News?

Cockroaches aren’t just nasty to look at, they are harmful to your health and property, too. Here are some of the worst problems known to accompany a cockroach infestation:

• Disease: Cockroaches are known to spread some serious diseases, like salmonella and cholera.  
• Damage: Cockroaches can chew through insulation and damage wires as they make their way inside of walls. Their staining bodies and droppings can also cause damage. 
• Odor: It doesn’t take long for a cockroach population to cause foul odors from their feces and discarded skin sheds. 
• Contamination: Even if you manage to keep your food safe from direct contamination, cockroaches can track germs all over the surfaces where we prepare and eat food.

How To Prevent Cockroaches

Since an infestation can take hold in your home so quickly, it’s better to be proactive with cockroach control than it is to be reactive. If you only start worrying about them when you see them or the signs, it’s most likely too late to truly address a cockroach problem. Here are some common-sense things you can do to better protect against American cockroaches:

• Food storage: Cockroaches will forage for food anywhere and everywhere they can find it. Keep your food items stored in secure areas and sturdy containers that can’t be chewed through. Make sure to deep clean for crumbs and spills regularly. 
• Trash storage: The same goes for your garbage, which cockroaches will quickly raid for food. Make sure your bins are securely lidded and inaccessible to bugs.
• Crack sealing: Roaches can squeeze through impossibly small spaces, making no crack or hole too small to seal. Routinely check your exterior for blemishes and make repairs. 
• Moisture control: Cockroaches like dark, damp areas, so anywhere that water pools or hangs in the air can be a magnet for them. Maintain proper ventilation and plumbing, especially in rooms where moisture is a particular factor, like bathrooms and kitchens. 

For Safe Removal & Control, Action Is The Way

Cockroaches are resilient and fast-growing pests, making them a nightmare for property owners to have to deal with on their own. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Action Pest Control is your local resource for cockroach prevention, from routine inspections that give peace of mind to full-blown elimination methods that are guaranteed to work. Whether an American cockroach infestation is already brewing or you simply want to get started on proper prevention, our experts are here to help.

 Don’t let cockroaches become a problem before you take them seriously, contact Action Pest today.