Nothing is more unsettling than hearing the skittering of tiny feet in a dark room, or even worse, turning on a light to find yourself staring down a cockroach. Here in Las Vegas, cockroaches are a constant threat to homeowners. The only question is, are you going to gamble with cockroaches, or take the time to learn everything you need to know to keep these creepy crawlers at bay?
What Are Cockroaches?
There are three different species of cockroaches here in Las Vegas—American roaches, Oriental roaches, and German roaches. All cockroaches have six legs, flat bodies, and flexible antenna, but besides these key traits, here is how you can identify the three major roach pests here in Las Vegas.
American Cockroaches: American roaches are reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-8 pattern on the back of their heads. The largest cockroach pest in the united states, the American cockroach can grow to be upwards of 2 ⅛ inches in length.
Oriental Cockroaches: Jet black and roughly 1 inch long, the oriental roach is less common but equally troublesome here in Las Vegas.
German Cockroaches: Smallest of the three, German roaches grow to be around ⅝ of an inch in length. Identified by their light brown to tan color, German cockroaches are the most common species here in Las Vegas and the United States.
Problems Cockroaches Cause
Despite their size, cockroaches are somewhat dangerous pests. Able to carry 33 different harmful bacteria, spread 7 human pathogens, and host 6 parasites, a cockroach is the last insect you want creeping around in your home. Cockroaches will eat practically anything, including dead and decaying organisms, and they roam in filthy, disease-ridden areas such as sewers and through trash. When inside homes, cockroaches can spread bacteria and pathogens across kitchen surfaces, dining room tables, and left out food. If all of this isn’t enough, cockroaches can also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions with their shed skins.
How Cockroaches Get Inside and How You Can Keep Them Out
Cockroaches are one of the harder pests to keep out of homes because of the number of ways they can get inside. For one, they can crawl through utility piping and sewer drains. That said, here are some ways you can seal up your home and make it less attractive to dangerous roaches.
- Use a caulking gun and quality caulk to seal up gaps and cracks in your foundation and around window and door frames.
- Invest in door sweeps for your exterior doors.
- Reduce moisture by fixing leaks, repairing broken gutters, and installing dehumidifiers in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
- Pick up pet food and water bowls before going to bed at night.
- Limit eating areas in your home to the kitchen and dining room.
- Clean regularly, making sure not to neglect underneath kitchen appliances where cockroaches love to hide.
One thing you should know is that keeping your home spotless does not ensure cockroaches stay away. Due to their strange diets, cockroaches can survive on things you would not consider to be food such as paper, glue, dead skin, and even human saliva.
How To Ensure Cockroaches Stay Away
DIY is not a reliable solution for eradicating cockroaches. Hiring the professionals here at Evolve Pest Control, on the other hand, is. At Evolve, we have the equipment and experience needed to get and keep dangerous cockroaches out of homes. If you have been hearing skittering in the night, or are looking for a way to defend your Las Vegas home against roaches, we have your answer. To get started with our year-round home pest control plans or for any questions you have about cockroaches, call us today!
