Cockroaches are some of the grossest pests that can infest your home. These insects thrive in filth, and they can spread many foodborne illnesses that make people sick.
Of the common cockroach species found in Alabama, American cockroaches are the largest and some of the most troublesome. Continue reading to learn crucial information about American roaches, including how to identify them, what problems they can cause, and how you can get rid of them.
How to Identify an American Cockroach
American cockroaches are hard to miss; once they reach maturity, these bugs grow to be 1 ½ to 2 inches long. By contrast, most cockroach species found in Alabama, including German and brown-banded roaches, only grow to be about ½ to 1 inch long. In terms of coloration, American cockroaches are primarily dark or reddish brown, with tan bands at the back of their heads. American roaches have wings but they aren’t strong fliers and mostly use these wings for gliding.
Life Cycle of American Cockroaches
Female American cockroaches lay their eggs in cases that are known as “oothecae.” Each ootheca can contain as many as sixteen roach eggs, meaning that these pests can multiply rapidly. Within homes in Alabama, American cockroaches generally lay their oothecae in sheltered, moist, low-level places. If you have an American roach infestation, look for eggs beneath sinks, kitchen or bathroom cabinets, and the refrigerator.
American cockroach eggs will hatch into nymphs after 5-7 weeks. It takes these roaches an average of 15 months to mature into adults, after which they can survive for another 15 months.
Problems Caused by American Cockroach Infestations in Alabama
American cockroaches are drawn to food and water, which is often the reason that these pests invade homes throughout Alabama. These roaches are carriers for many allergens and bacterias, so their presence within a home environment can result in illness. Oftentimes, homeowners become sick with food poisoning, salmonella or dysentery after eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by American cockroaches.
American cockroaches are not picky eaters; in addition to contaminating food that they forage on, these pests often damage books, clothes, and wallpaper by chewing on them. Another problem with American cockroaches is that they smell bad, especially when they congregate in large numbers. Because these roaches are nocturnal, Alabama homeowners sometimes remain unaware of the pest presence until they begin to smell a foul, musty odor emanating from infested areas.
How to Get Rid of an American Cockroach Infestation
If you’ve been having a problem with American cockroaches in your home, the best solution is to contact a pest control company in Alabama that uses integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Integrated pest management is a comprehensive, environmentally friendly approach to cockroach control that avoids the use of insecticides as much as possible. When you work with an IPM pest control company you won’t have to worry about harmful consequences from their services.
An integrated pest management approach to American cockroach control in Alabama homes may consist of the following methods:
- Application of insect growth regulators that prevent American cockroaches from maturing and reproducing. Unlike chemical insecticides, insect growth regulators pose almost no risk to people and pets.
- Using baited glue traps to eliminate American cockroaches without spraying chemicals in the home.
- Closing off entry points used by American roaches to keep more of them from getting inside. These cockroaches often enter our homes via gaps under doors and around pipes, which can be closed off using caulk.
- Removing factors that attract American cockroaches into a home. This process can include things like storing food products more securely and fixing leaking pipes.
- Scheduling routine inspections to identify any signs of renewed American cockroach activity in your Alabama home.
The Most Reliable Cockroach Control Company in Alabama
At SafeSpray Pest Control, we specialize in implementing integrated pest management strategies to remove pests like American cockroaches from local homes. Give us a call today if you need professional cockroach control services in Alabama! Our company serves clients in the Huntsville, Auburn, and Daphne areas.
