Cockroaches are some of the most common and most challenging pests to get rid of in the United States. Every year, thousands of homeowners in North Carolina struggle to clear their homes of these disgusting invaders. Cockroaches will contaminate your food, spread several highly infectious diseases, and generally do their best to make you miserable.
There are more than 60 species of cockroaches in North Carolina, but around Mooresville, you're likely to run into the following four species:
- Oriental cockroaches have shiny black or reddish-black bodies and are also called water bugs.
- German cockroaches are 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long, with oval, light brown, or tan bodies and two dark stripes behind their heads.
- Brown-banded cockroaches are usually less than 1/2 an inch in size and have oval-shaped brown bodies with two light stripes on the back.
- American cockroaches are the largest species in our area, measuring between 1 1/2 and 2 1/8 inches long with reddish-brown bodies and a telltale figure eight mark on their back.
Let's look at signs of cockroach infestation to watch for, tips on how to deter a cockroach infestation, and, if that fails, how to find reliable pest control in Mooresville.
How Can I Be Sure It’s Roaches in My Home?
Being nocturnal, great at hiding, and the fastest insects on earth (cockroaches can run up to 12 feet per second), roaches are hard to spot until their numbers grow out of control. The following signs will help you determine if you are dealing with a cockroach infestation:
- Small blunt droppings that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper
- Dark-colored or tan egg capsules
- Shed skins cockroaches leave around
- Live or dead insects
- A musky smell produced by roach pheromones
In most cases seeing live insects or smelling the pheromones are signs of an infestation in advanced stages and past the point of effective DIY control.
How Dangerous Is It to Have Roaches in My Home?
Cockroaches in Mooresville won't bite you, but exposure to their saliva and feces might result in asthma attacks and allergic reactions. In their search for food, roaches will contaminate just about every surface in your house and spread numerous bacteria and pathogens as well as illnesses such as cholera, E. coli, giardia, and dysentery.
Why Do I Have Roaches & Why Won’t They Go Away?
Cockroaches, like any other invasive pest, break into your home for easy access to food and shelter from their natural predators. A warm, 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit environment, a source of moisture (usually plumbing leaks), and access to food (they'll snack on spilled Pepsi, dog food, curtains, and even each other) are all they're looking for. As long as these things are on the menu, you will be dealing with roach infestations.
To make your home unappealing to these disgusting insects:
- Seal cracks and crevices in the outside walls of your house and the foundation.
- Cover vents and drains with mesh screens.
- Keep human and pet food stored in sealed containers.
- Make sure to fix any plumbing leaks.
- Store trash in sealed and clean containers.
For most homeowners, prevention is the most reliable DIY strategy when dealing with roaches. If prevention doesn't work, it may be time to get help from a professional to get rid of cockroaches in you Mooresville home.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Roaches in My House?
Unfortunately, roaches are masters of infiltration, and sometimes the best preventative strategies fail to stop them. An experienced Mooresville cockroach control professional will determine which roach species your house is infested with, develop an effective removal strategy, and get every adult and egg to avoid a re-infestation.
At Lake Norman Home Services, we have been helping residents of Mooresville and surrounding areas deal with cockroach infestations and other pests for over 30 years. Contact us today to get started, and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Mooresville.