Cockroaches are adaptable, hearty, and scavenging insects that can feed on almost anything. Whether you see one cockroach or many, you don't want to deal with this infestation alone. Nobody wants to see any pest in your home, but finding a cockroach scurrying across your counter or floor is not ideal. Leaving the prevention and extermination of cockroaches up to the Rockville pest control professionals is the best approach to an active infestation.
How Can I Be Sure It's Roaches In My Home?
If you suspect you have roaches in your Rockville home, you've probably seen one or many cockroaches. They are typically nocturnal insects that tend to stay out of sight, but they do leave some obvious clues behind if they are creeping around within your home. If you think you may be facing a cockroach infestation, here are a few signs to watch for:
- Cockroach Droppings
- Smear marks
- Stench or unusual odor
- Eggs or egg casings
- Shedding skin
- Property damage
- Roaches themselves
Roaches can be challenging to handle if you have an infestation, especially a sizable one. The best course of action would be to contact a pest control expert.
Can Roaches In My Home Make Me Sick?
Having roaches in your home can cause unpleasant and harmful diseases. The most common way of contracting a disease carried by cockroaches is by drinking or eating from a contaminated surface, food directly contaminated, or cooking utensils. Cockroaches spread the following health issues:
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
- Listeria
- E. coli
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus faecalis
- Giardia
- Shigella dysenteriae
In addition, cockroaches can trigger asthma due to proteins in their faces and body parts that produce an allergic reaction in certain people. Cockroaches can spread diseases through feces or droppings, saliva and vomit, and physical contact with surfaces and food.
What Attracts Roaches Into My Home?
The two most common types of roaches that are present in Maryland are the American cockroach and the German cockroach. No matter the type, roaches are drawn to warm, humid climates such as:
- Dirty dishes in the sink
- Crumbs on the floors or counters
- Garbage
- Pet food on the floor
- Excess moisture
Roaches enter your home in search of three things, water, shelter, and food. They also can use even the smallest openings to enter your home. This could be cracks in dryer vents, exterior walls, or gaps between floors and walls. It's helpful to periodically perform a thorough evaluation of the exterior of your home and seal all these entry points. Cockroaches also enter your home through holes in pipes and vents and can sometimes hitch a ride on belongings coming into the home. Roaches seek out food sources where they can find them, despite your best efforts to keep your home clean. They can feed on wallpaper paste, cardboard, book bindings, leather, grease, soap, and even human hair. They can often be found hiding in your garage and attic, behind pictures hanging on the walls, and even in books you've stored away for extended periods.
What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Roaches?
Cockroaches in your home can cause significant dangers to you and your loved ones. If you suspect an infestation, cockroaches must quickly be removed from your house. Partnering with a dedicated and local professional is the best way to ensure every cockroach in your home is found, treated, and eliminated! At Womack Pest Control, we have been trusted to eliminate cockroaches and other pests from Maryland homes since 1943.
Highly-trained technicians, high-quality services, and a dedication to our customers are why we should be your number one choice for all your pest control needs. Contact us today for more information about our trustworthy residential pest control options.