Cockroach Identification & Prevention Guide For Alabama

What are cockroaches?

One of the most feared pests for homeowners to discover living inside of their house is the cockroach. Cockroaches are resilient creatures that are highly adaptable — two of the main reasons they are so difficult to control and eliminate. Cockroaches differ in size and color but usually have flat, oval-shaped bodies. While many species have wings, most just use their six legs to scurry from place to place. Nothing is more unnerving than turning on a light at night and seeing a cockroach scurry across your home's floor or counter!

While most species of cockroaches worldwide prefer to live away from people, some have adapted to living in close quarters with us. In our area, the most common cockroach species that move into our yards, homes, and businesses uninvited are the:

Smokey brown cockroach
Oriental cockroach
German cockroach
Asian cockroach

Are cockroaches dangerous?

No matter the species, cockroaches are dangerous. Cockroaches invade in large numbers, contaminate food, and carry human pathogens, bacteria, and parasites on the body and legs that they spread throughout any structure they infest.

Many of the diseases that cockroaches spread cause gastrointestinal issues examples include:

Salmonellosis
Dysentery
E. coli

The presence of cockroaches also causes many people, especially young children, to experience allergy-like symptoms. Their shed skins and excrement will also trigger asthma attacks in those susceptible.

Damage to things stored in your home is another problem that cockroaches cause when living inside. They chew through and stain items like upholstered furniture, paper, clothing, rugs, wallpaper, and more.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

When it comes to cockroaches, the first thing you have to understand is that even if your home is clean, it is still susceptible to an infestation. If your house offers food, heat, and moisture, it is attractive to cockroaches.

Cockroaches may move inside on their own while foraging for food and sources of moisture or are introduced accidentally. Cockroaches often get into homes and businesses inside things like bags, deliveries, boxes, used appliances or furniture, electronics, or pieces of wood from woodpiles.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Seeing cockroaches scurrying around your home or business during the day is an indication of a large infestation. Cockroaches are nocturnal and rest during the day, but if fighting for food sources, they will emerge during the day to forage.

During the day, cockroaches hide in dark, out-of-the-way places like the backs of cabinets and drawers, in cracks in walls and floors, in attics, crawl spaces, and under sinks. Most species prefer to hide in areas that are dark and near sources of moisture. Many species like to gather around water pipes, the areas under sinks, drains, and sump pumps. Kitchen, bathrooms, and basements are common cockroach hideouts.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

If you are looking to eliminate cockroaches from your property, reach out to the professionals at Prewett Pest Control. Through advanced technology and convenient and modern services, we offer our customers exceptional cockroach control treatments. Get rid of cockroaches and keep them from returning to your residential or commercial property by reaching out to the professionals at Prewett Pest Control. Contact us today to learn more about our local and effective cockroach control services in Mobile, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and the surrounding areas!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

To help you stop cockroaches from taking over your Alabama property, we want to offer some easy-to-execute pest prevention tips:

The small, flat bodies of roaches allow them to squeeze through the tiniest of openings. To keep cockroaches out of your home, inspect its exterior walls, and seal any spaces you find.
Install door sweeps, place covers over vents and drains, and seal areas around wires and utilities entering your house.
Cockroaches love moisture. Reduce excess moisture in and around your home by installing gutters, not overwatering lawns and gardens, and repairing leaky fixtures.
Lower humidity levels in your home by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Limit food availability by vacuuming and wiping down surfaces in your home regularly, cleaning up leftover food, washing dirty dishes nightly, and limiting consuming food to the kitchen and dining areas of your home.
Inspect deliveries and used items for cockroaches before bringing them into your home.