Fall Pests: Part 2—The Cockroach – from Tri-County Pest Control

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Last week in our “Fall Pest” series, we shared a little information about our first fall pest: the rodent. Now we’re going to move on to our next pest, who is arguably the most infamous of all pests. It is the one, the only—the Cockroach.

Throughout the world, there are several thousand species of cockroaches (approximately 4,500). However, only about 30 are known to live alongside us humans, and all 30 of those are considered to be pests. Cockroaches belong to the Order Blattaria, and while most species are seen to be beneficial, a small few give Blattaria a bad name, mainly because they are harbingers of disease.

In New Jersey, we only have a handful of cockroach species that affect us—specifically the American Cockroach, Oriental Cockroach, German Cockroach, and the Brown-Banded Cockroach. All of these critters can be a danger to humans, but there’s no need to panic, because the best offense is a great defense.

These guys tend to enter a home wherever they can contort their bodies into. For example, they can wiggle their way in through weather stripping if it’s damaged, or through holes in siding and screen doors. Checking up on all of these entry points to make sure that there is no entry point is your best bet. However, there is an off-beat chance that they can enter from hitching a ride on your person.

For all species of cockroaches, the signs of infestation all remain the same. One of the best signs of an infestation is the presence of eggs. If you think that The Duggars have a lot of kids, you haven’t met a cockroach. Look for large clumps of reddish or blackish egg cases, generally found in dark, cool places like the pantry or laundry room. Also, cockroaches give off a certain, cockroachy smell (most people tend to find this as a “musty” smell). Finally, check for droppings, which are generally small in size and compare to mouse droppings. If you have any of these signs, give us a call, and we’ll scurry them away.

Cockroaches are bringers of disease; according to the World Health Organization, they can carry salmonella, typhoid fever, plague, leprosy, cholera, and poliomyelitis. Their droppings can cause an allergy attack or an asthma attack to those who are prone to either.

Do not risk the safety of your family, just make a quick call to Tri-County Pest Control, and we’ll chase em’ out in no time.

That’s it for this edition of “Fall Pests”! Be sure to join us next week for our final installment, where we’ll cover The Spider!

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  • Sherrie Lawson
    Reply

    I moved to Virginia from New Jersey. There are cockroaches living in my yard. Is there anything I can do to get them out of my yard? And, why are they here?

  • Tri-County Termite & Pest Control
    Reply

    Sherrie: There are many species of cockroach that live primarily outdoors and do not pose any threat to you or your home. Often, these cockroaches are an important part of the local fauna and are beneficial to the environment. If these roaches are not causing any problems in your home, we’d say leave them alone! If they are causing a problem indoors, then you should call a professional to identify the species and suggest a proper course of treatment.

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