Is there anything more disgusting than walking into your Connecticut home and finding big cockroaches scurrying about? If this has happened to you, there’s a good chance the pests you saw were American cockroaches as they are the largest home-invading cockroach species in the country. Unfortunately, American cockroaches aren’t just large and gross; they are dangerous, too. Therefore, you need to know the steps you can take to limit your exposure to these unwanted pests. That means knowing what attracts American cockroaches to homes in the first place and what you can do to limit these factors. Don’t let American cockroaches threaten the health and safety of your family. Find out what you need to do to keep these dangerous pests out of your Connecticut home.
What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?
American cockroaches are a large species of cockroach that grow to be anywhere from 1 ¼ of an inch to 2 1/8th inches long. They are typically reddish-brown and feature pale figure-eight patterns on the backs of their heads. Both male and female American cockroaches have wings and can fly.
If you think you might have an American cockroach infestation, there are certain indications that you can look for to confirm your thoughts. For starters, American cockroaches will often leave smear marks on the walls or floors. Furthermore, you may also find egg capsules or shed exoskeletons on the surfaces of your Connecticut home. This is all, of course, in addition to the possibility of seeing the actual cockroaches.
Are American Cockroaches Dangerous?
American cockroaches are considered to be dangerous because they can spread various harmful bacteria and human pathogens. They can pick these harmful substances up with their spine-covered legs as they frequently reside in unsanitary locations such as sewers and trash heaps. Then, when they enter our homes, they bring these contaminants with them, spreading them to any surface on which they walk. These bacteria and pathogens can lead to diseases such as salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, listeriosis, and giardia. In addition to spreading disease, American cockroaches can also trigger allergies in at-risk individuals, especially children and the elderly.
Why Are American Cockroaches So Hard To Get Rid Of?
American cockroaches, like other cockroach species, are highly adaptable which makes them challenging to get rid of. They can survive in a variety of environments, they can live for months without food and weeks without water, and they can fit through tiny little cracks and crevices. As such, prevention is key when it comes to these dirty pests.
What Are Some American Cockroach Prevention Techniques?
To effectively prevent American cockroaches from entering your Connecticut home, you first need to know what attracts them inside. Usually, cockroaches enter a home because there is easy access to food or water. Therefore, things like improperly stored food or trash are huge factors in attracting cockroaches.
To keep American cockroaches out of your home, you should:
- Store all food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Take out the trash regularly and store trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Use dehumidifiers to address moisture issues in your home.
- Fill in cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Seal off any holes in your home’s exterior such as around vents, pipes, or utility lines.
What Should I Do If My Home Is Infested With American Cockroaches?
If you find yourself dealing with an American cockroach infestation in your Connecticut home, contact the professionals here at Big Blue Bug Solutions right away for assistance. We offer quality cockroach control solutions that you can count on to effectively eliminate any infestation with which you are dealing. Don’t let cockroaches make their home inside of yours.
Give us a call today to get started.