If you live in Tampa, you've probably killed a German roach on your bathroom or kitchen floor. Although the region's humidity is partly to blame, several other factors explain the Tampa cockroach problem.
The first one is chemical resistance. German roaches and other types of cockroaches become resistant to pesticides when they survive chemical exposure. These roaches can even pass this resistance to their offspring.
The unwelcome guests have also learned how to evade baits. Even if you succeed at cockroach identification and extermination, your home might still be conducive for the pests if it's warm and damp. Roaches can also access your home through entry points such as foundation cracks, wire conduits, and plumbing. That's why you need a Tampa pest control expert to eliminate the insects for good.
How To Differentiate German Cockroaches From Other Roaches
The first step of cockroach extermination in Tampa and anywhere else is cockroach identification. Although it's common in most households, the German roach is only one of America's many types of cockroaches. The insects are oval-shaped and range between ½ and ⅝ inches.
Another distinguishing feature is their light brown color and two stripes on the pronotum. Though they have wings, the roaches mostly run instead of flying and only flutter their wings when falling.
Male adult cockroaches are thinner than females that have broader abdomens. Females feature an egg capsule that holds around 40 eggs and stretches approximately ¼ inches from the abdomen. You can also spot antennae that help them find food. Because they prefer warm environments with food and water, the cockroaches live and breed indoors.
German roaches spend a lot of time in voids and wall cracks, making an infestation harder to detect. However, pepper-like droppings reveal the cockroaches' presence in your home.
You could also look for smears and dark spots in corners and wall openings. If the insects are many, you might even detect a musty odor. In most cases, infestations start in kitchens before spreading to bathrooms and living areas as the roach population increases.
How Are German Cockroaches Harmful to Your Health?
Roaches are destructive dangerous. Besides chewing on fabric and paper, they may stain your clothes with their droppings. They're also disgusting to look at and can be terrifying when they crawl out of the dark.
Worse still, these insects present health risks. First off, roaches can contaminate your food with feces, vomit, and saliva. What's more, the insects can carry bacteria on their bodies and deposit them on your utensils. Roaches might spread the following diseases:
- Dysentery
- Listeriosis
- Cholera
- Salmonellosis
- Typhoid fever
- Amoebiasis
- Shigellosis
You should also worry about allergies if you find a cockroach in your house. It's not uncommon for the insect's saliva, shed body parts, excrement, and eggs to trigger allergic reactions.
The symptoms are especially severe for asthmatic individuals and children. You can avoid roach infestation by sweeping your home regularly to eliminate fallen crumbs. This goes together with wiping counters and appliances to clear food residue.
Additionally, empty and clean trash cans regularly and use tight lids. You should also seal food containers to prevent pest contamination. Don't forget to declutter your home. The insects can use cardboard and paper bags as shelter.
How Can I Get Rid of German Cockroaches?
Although some DIY products claim to eliminate cockroaches permanently, these treatments aren't foolproof. A cockroach exterminator in Tampa eradicates not only adult insects but also nymphs and eggs. Our team at EcoTech Pest Control Services can completely eliminate your cockroach problem and implement preventative measures that will keep these pests from returning.
With EcoTech Pest Control Services on your side, the Tampa cockroach problem will be a thing of the past. Reach out today to learn more about our effective home pest control and commercial pest control services.