Cockroach Exterminators

Cockroaches are best identified by their flat oval bodies and long antennae. Additional cockroaches that help set them apart from other insects include the following.

• All cockroaches possess six long legs with pads at the bottom that enable them to scale surfaces or walk on walls and ceilings.
• Female roaches are bigger than their male counterparts because they carry eggs. However, male roaches of certain species are the ones to possess wings. 
• Cockroach nymphs are paler in color than adults and will molt several times before reaching maturity.
• Roaches can differ in appearance based on species: American cockroaches are larger roaches and reddish-brown in color. German roaches are nearly half the size of American roaches and are brown in color. Oriental cockroaches are nearly black in color and larger in size. And true to their name, brown-banded roaches have brown stripes on their body and are small in size.

The water bug is a bug that looks like a cockroach but isn’t technically part of the roach family. A true water bug is—true to name—an aquatic insect that lives in the water. Oriental cockroaches are commonly mistaken as, or called, “water bugs” because of their tendency to live in pipes and plumbing. 

As nocturnal insects, roaches prefer to dwell in dark, damp areas of your property. The typical cockroach environment differs based on the unique species: 

1. American cockroaches are common in homes and restaurants, as they gravitate toward human good. They are most typically found in basements, laundry rooms, and near pipes, heaters, and drains.
2. German cockroaches are the most common indoor roach, especially in multi-family housing. They prefer dark and humid environments, making them commonly found in kitchen areas, cabinets, and bathrooms.
3. Oriental cockroaches prefer cool and damp environments and are typically seen outside. They will hide beneath patio bricks, woodchips, mulch, and sidewalks. Indoors, they’re often in plumbing and drains.
4. Brown-banded cockroaches prefer warm areas and tend to be found up and away from the floor in closets or nearby appliances in your home, such as fridges and ovens.

Finding cockroaches in your home can be a nightmare, making you wonder where they came from in the first place. Cockroaches can get in through the tiniest cracks and crevices, or even your pipes. Once inside, a few things may encourage them to stick around—namely, food, water, and shelter. Cockroaches are a fan of damp areas; leaky faucets or pipes will quickly draw roaches to your basement or bathrooms. They also are attracted to crumbs, spilled drinks, and even paper shreds! Messy, cluttered environments will certainly draw roaches nearby. 

Cockroaches are not known for their tendency to bite people. In fact, roaches are mostly uninterested in humans and will leave them alone. If a bite occurs, it’s because the population of cockroaches has outgrown its food sources or if the roach is directly threatened. A rare cockroach bite can occur at nighttime on your face, hands, or fingers. The bite will appear similar to a bed bug bite.

Unfortunately, some types of cockroach are indeed capable of flight. The good news is that even the ones that can fly are very poor fliers and rarely do so. The American cockroach, which is one of the most common roaches, will use its wings to glide from a higher elevation to a lower one. In general, roaches rarely fly as they prefer to run.

Although cockroaches rarely bite, they are still considered dangerous pests for several reasons:

1. Roach infestations have been known to trigger health problems for some individuals. This is because roaches carry germs and bacteria that can contaminate food and surfaces in your home.
2. Research has also shown that cockroaches can possibly trigger allergies in certain individuals. Roach droppings, skin, and saliva are all known to release particles that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
3. Roach droppings and skins aren’t just gross—they’re messy! Trying to clean up after a cockroach infestation can be hazardous.

Roaches have long been rumored to survive a nuclear war (which is not necessarily true). But how long do they actually live for? Under favorable conditions, the cockroach lifespan is about a year. Factors such as food supply, habitat, and climate affect how long a roach will live. American cockroaches can live for about one year while German cockroaches are estimated to live for only 100 days or so. On average, cockroaches can live for a month without food but only a week without water.