Cockroaches may be one of the most hated pests on Earth. They've been around for over 280 million years, meaning they walked the planet with the dinosaurs. They've survived that long thanks to incredible resilience. They're fast, have hard protective shells, and can survive up to a month without food.
California has seven different species to worry about; German, Brownbanded, Oriental, Smoky-brown, American, Turkestan, and Field Cockroach. The last one is less of a concern since it doesn't come inside as frequently as the others. The German is the one most people think of when they picture a roach roaming their homes.
One of the reasons these pests are the source of so much scorn is their association with filth. The six-legged fiends can harbor bacteria that lead to strep throat, staph infections, and salmonella. They spread those germs to anything they touch. It's a myth, however, that cockroaches are only drawn to dirty homes or businesses in the first place. Like other pests, they're attracted to food, shelter, and water. Even the cleanest homes have those three elements. The National Pest Management Association says 63% of homes in America show the presence of roaches.
These insects sneak into buildings very easily. Their unique build allows them to flatten their bodies to one-fifth of their normal width, squeezing through the smallest cracks or holes to get inside. Even the largest species in California, the American cockroach, can get through a gap the width of just two pennies stacked on top of each other. They can also hit speeds of three miles an hour, or about 50 times their body length, in just one second. They can even combine their talents, maintaining high running speeds while squished down to half size at the same time, and can run on two legs when needed. That speed and other unique abilities, like holding their breath for forty minutes and living a week without their heads, make them tough to eliminate.
Diseases aren't the only health risk they pose. They shed their skin, potentially triggering asthma attacks in those susceptible. Their saliva and feces also attract dust mites, aggravating people with sensitivities to those allergens. That's an especially big problem for kids.
California's Department of Pesticide Regulations says taking on roaches requires more than just bombing the property with pesticides. You'll need to work on prevention by having an expert inspect the property to see where the bugs may get in, so those holes can be sealed. Food and water sources that are clear attractants should be cleaned up, and clutter that could serve as hiding spaces should be cleared out. It's also important to have regular treatment done to keep infestations from resurfacing.
If you're worried about a roach infestation,
contact PestMan Pest Control right away. We use an Integrated Pest Management approach, taking the fight on from all sides to find the most effective plan for your property. With over 25 years of experience and a commitment to this community, you won't find a better pest management company in the Central Valley.