Cockroaches are dirty pests that invade homes worldwide. Here in Kansas City, common cockroaches we see include the brown-banded cockroach, wood cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, the German cockroach, and of course, the American cockroach. The American cockroach is quite common to our area and capable of getting pretty big.
Each of these cockroaches has specific identifying features that can help you determine which species of cockroach you're dealing with:
- Brown-banded cockroaches: Easy to identify by their elongated bodies, their tan color, and the thick, dark brown stripes that run across their bodies.
- Oriental cockroaches: These are dark brown or shiny black. Adult males have short wings.
- German cockroaches: This species is flat with a tapered end. These cockroaches can be anywhere from tan to dark brown. Females are typically a little darker. German cockroaches have two dark stripes running down their backs.
- American cockroaches: These cockroaches are reddish-brown and have wings, though they hardly ever fly. Males have longer wings than females.
- Wood cockroach: Wood cockroaches are typically found outside, although they will go into a house. These cockroaches are flat and oval-shaped with long antennae and spiny legs. They are sometimes mistaken for German cockroaches. Males may look tan because of their wing color. Females do not have wings?
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Cockroaches are dirty pests that will rummage through anything for a meal, including garbage and sewers. They are attracted to bird feces, which can carry disease.
Cockroaches can bring a variety of pathogens into your Kansas City home, including E. coli, salmonella, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and giardia. Cockroaches are known to carry parasitic worms as well. The spines, legs, and bodies of cockroaches pick up all sorts of germs and bacteria and then deposit these pathogens throughout your home. This can be particularly dangerous when your food source is contaminated. Furthermore, their feces and urine also carry unwanted bacteria which they leave behind throughout your home. This is especially dangerous.
Cockroach Prevention Is Key For Your Kansas City Home
A well-established cockroach infestation is difficult to deal with. There are, however, some precautions you can take to keep these pests away from your Kansas City home:
- Seal openings: There are a few things you can do to eliminate the presence of cockroaches in your Kansas City home. Sealing around exterior walls is a good start. Cockroaches can get through even the tiniest openings. Locating and sealing all cracks and holes in your walls and around the foundation of your home cuts off these entry points. Be aware of gaps under doors and rips and tears in screens too. These can provide entry points for cockroaches.
- Eliminate food and water sources: Keeping a clean house can be especially helpful. Seal all of the food in your kitchen, keep crumbs of food off the counters and floors, and pick up pet food bowls at night. Cockroaches are skilled at sniffing out food and water sources. Making sure to fix any leaky pipes and fixtures can eliminate sources of water.
- Remove clutter: Cockroaches like moist, damp environments. Get rid of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and other materials that pick up moisture.
- Seal trashcans and clean your yard: Keep tight lids on both indoor and outdoor trashcans. Also, keep outside trash cans away from your home to keep the cockroaches further away from the home and less likely to seek out entry points in your home. Keeping your yard clean is important. Don’t leave toys and bowls in the yard that can accumulate water, especially near your home. Don’t allow trash to pile up near the home. To avoid inviting wood cockroaches near your home, keep any moist, rotting wood away from the home.
Contact Augustine Exterminators For Complete Cockroach Control
Do you have problems with cockroaches in your Kansas City home? Contact the professionals at Augustine Exterminators, Inc. We offer quality services at reasonable prices, highly-trained professionals, and guaranteed results. We also use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to ensure that you receive the best treatment possible. Don’t be overrun by cockroaches in your Kansas City home. Call us today and get rid of cockroaches once and for all.