These nasty little (or not so little) pests will breed without you being aware until it's too late. Then, before you know it, you'll have a roach infestation in your Delaware County home! Cockroaches are sneaky but they are also incredibly resilient. Did you know that if you try to kill one by washing it down the drain, it will just come back? Why? Because they can hold their breath for 40 minutes! They can also live for a whole week without their head. Crazy!
Types Of Cockroaches
There are thousands of different types of cockroach around the world but it's the following four that plague us here in Pennsylvania.
American Cockroach: These are the largest roach in the United States, measuring over 2 inches long. Their bodies are brown with a yellowish figure 8 marking behind their heads. They can fly short distances.
Brown-Banded Cockroach: These roaches measure about ½ an inch long. They have a dark brown body with light color bands or stripes. The males will fly when disturbed, the females cannot.
German Cockroach: These are tan or light brown species with a slightly metallic sheen. They measure up to ¾ inches long and have wings but cannot fly.
Oriental Cockroach (a.k.a. Waterbugs): Males and females of this species vary slightly in size, but both grow to be about an inch long and have shiny black bodies. They also have wings cannot fly, and they are also known for the stinky odor they secrete.
Regardless of the type, cockroaches hang out in some filthy places like sewers and inside rotting animal corpses and have no business in your Delaware County home.
Germs, Diseases & Pathogens Oh My!
Roaches are very effective at carrying and transmitting germs, diseases, and pathogens on their hairy legs. As they crawl on, over, and through your panty. Salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus are just a few of the nasty things cockroaches can be spreading. In addition to these pathogens, cockroaches also trigger asthma and allergy attacks with their shed skins and droppings. According to the EPA, children are more susceptible to cockroach allergies than adults. Prevention is the key to avoid these issues. Eliminating roaches isn’t as easy as a trip to Home Depot for a can of roach spray or a package of poison. Wouldn’t that be nice? No, these are resilient and determined creatures that will no doubt survive the apocalypse.
Call In The Good Guys
You won’t be alone if you decide to spend your Saturday at Home Depot reading all the labels, spending a small fortune, and coming home to play exterminator. The problem is, not only will you waste your day off, but you will also end up frustrated. The team at M.A.D. Exterminators have it all under control. We are a family-owned and operated business that has been serving Delaware County since 1983. Our goal is to get the job done right. Just give us a call today for a free estimate and find out how much you can save by turning to the professionals.
Cockroach Prevention
There are so many ways that cockroaches can gain entry into your home. They can be brought in unknowingly via a cardboard box or a piece of second-hand furniture. They may even hitch a ride in your purse or suitcase. Maybe even from the grocery store. YUCK!! If you live in an apartment or duplex, it can be as simple as crawling through the wall from an adjacent dwelling. They can also enter through cracks in walls, defective door sweeps, and windows with damaged or missing screens.
There are also ways to keep cockroaches out. Make sure to check items as they come into your home, search for potential entry points and seal any you find with caulk, check windows and door screens for damage and repair when needed, and be sure that door sweeps are in good condition. For help keeping cockroaches out of your Delaware County home, call M.A.D. Exterminators today.