Overview:
This blog is a quick introduction to dealing with an infestation of roaches. As with all pests, it’s important to understand the importance of proper treatment and maintenance, to get rid of and keep pests out of your space.
Facts about Roaches:
The United States is home to 55 to 70 species of cockroaches. New York State alone is home to twenty species, nine of which can be found in New York City. There are four that are the most commonly found in office spaces, hotels, apartments, malls, and other public areas. These are:
● German Cockroaches
● Brownbanded Cockroaches
● American Cockroaches
● Oriental Cockroaches
Cockroaches, commonly referred to as roaches, are flat, dark-colored insects that move quickly. This makes them hard to both catch and spot until they have multiplied in numbers. They are nocturnal creatures, so if one is spotted during the day, this is a sign of a serious infestation. Cockroaches live in large groups, which are called intrusions.
These intrusions can be found in the cracks and crevices of walls, appliances, floors, furniture, improperly stored food, boxes, and other narrow places that provide the privacy and darkness they crave to raise their families and survive. Cardboard, plastic bags, newspaper, and other pliable materials can become filled with roaches if left unchecked.
Both American and Oriental cockroaches prefer to live in damp and moist places, so they are commonly found in basements, around furnaces, pipes, and other similar areas. Female roaches have an average of 15 to 40 eggs in their reproductive capsules, called ootheca, and can produce up to 15 capsules in their lifetime. All species except German roaches (who carry their capsules until the end) will glue the ootheca to the underside of furniture and crevices near food sources. This is an attempt to ensure the babies can hatch and eat in safety. Roaches will not be found outside the building unless there is a very heavy infestation.
Ways to Prevent Roaches:
It is critical to thoroughly clean kitchen appliances. Roaches in kitchens can live off the months or years’ worth of grease and food spills that are hard to spot, especially those deposits under, behind, and alongside your appliances. The problem spots usually include the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, toaster, microwave, and underneath the kitchen sink.
Empty all cabinets and thoroughly clean them out. Another food source for roaches are crumbs and food spills inside kitchen cabinets. Limit food consumption to only one room. Allowing food to be consumed in all areas of the space leads to crumbs and food spills that often go unnoticed and make tasty temptations for roaches. This practice contributes to the spread of an infestation that might otherwise be confined to the kitchen or food prepping areas.
Where applicable, vacuum the floors thoroughly before leaving the space or going to bed. Roaches come out to feed at night. If you practice a very rigorous cleaning regimen wherever food is prepared or eaten, there will be very little left for foraging roaches to feed on.
Vacuum all other non-food areas every 2 to 3 days. This practice contributes to overall sanitation and helps to eliminate roach feces, skins, body parts, and egg sacs, all of which contain pheromones that attract other roaches to the same areas. Other important steps include:
● Wiping down countertops with a disinfectant spray.
● Emptying any pet food containers daily.
● Storing food in sealed containers. Roaches are small enough to slip into the cardboard packaging that many foods come stored in. Switching to tightly sealed containers will prevent them from getting in.
● Use a trash can with a tight-fitting lid and take out the trash every day.
● Keep outside trash cans clean and as far away from the building as possible.
If you have, or suspect you have, roaches, reach out to us at A-Z Environments right away. The longer a roach infestation lasts, the more difficult it is to end. Call quickly so we can partner together and rid your space of these pests in a more environmentally safe manner.