One of the house pests no one in Southern Maine wants to find themselves face to face with are cockroaches. Cockroaches are notorious for the many diseases they carry and are often associated with dirty, cluttered spaces. However, the truth is that cockroaches will take up residency in the cleanest of homes if they have proper access to them.
- American Cockroach: They are the largest species of roach found in Southern Maine, growing up to 2 inches in length. They are reddish-brown to mahogany in color and prefer warm, moist environments. American cockroaches will make their way indoors as the colder temperatures set in.
- German Cockroach: These roaches are light tan to brown in color, about ½ inch long, and are less adaptable than American cockroaches. German cockroaches tend to gravitate inside rather than make their nests outside.
- Oriental Cockroach: This roach is also called a water bug and is found in the northeast region of the United States. They grow to be about an inch long, are dark brown and shiny in appearance, and prefer high-humidity areas such as basements or bathrooms.
All three species of cockroaches are winged insects; however, they do not fly; instead, they scurry. Some of the diseases they carry include salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and E. coli, all of which can cause serious health issues for you and your family.
Cockroaches: More Than A Gross Pest
Many people think of cockroaches as just disgusting bugs that gravitate to dirty, unkempt homes. While they would be right in thinking these insects are gross, most people have no idea how horrendous the terrain is that these cockroaches wallow in before entering your home. Aside from dumpsters and trash piles, cockroaches are naturally drawn to decaying debris of all sorts, from trash to animals to other organic materials. It is no wonder they carry harmful diseases right into your homes after the places they have traveled through to get there.
Ridding Your Southern Maine Home Of A Cockroach Infestation
If you find yourself face-to-face with a cockroach, you may be tempted to try to rid your home of these unwanted health hazards yourself. What makes this a difficult task is a cockroach’s ability to hide and be undetected. Where there is one roach, there is almost always more hiding in your drawers, cabinets, or walls. The best solution to efficiently and adequately exterminate these nasty creatures is to immediately call our experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions. With over 80 years of experience, we can rid your home of cockroaches in no time.
Five Tips On How To Protect Your Southern Maine Home From Future Cockroach Infestations
The best defense against a repeat cockroach infestation is to know the preventative measures to take to help suppress another issue in the future.Follow these five tips to protect yourself and your family:
- Inspect the exterior of your home often for places where cockroaches can gain easy access to your home. Seal up any cracks or gaps with caulking. Install caps on all vents. Replace worn screens and weather stripping around doors and windows to ensure a proper seal.
- Keep your yard and your home free of clutter and debris.
- Address moisture issues inside and outside your home.
- Keep trash receptacles covered tightly and away from the exterior of your home.
- Keep food stored in airtight containers and limit food consumption to your home’s kitchen or living room.