How To Identify & Avoid Cockroaches In Central Florida

How To Identify And Avoid Cockroaches In Your Home

We all know how annoying and embarrassing the sight of a cockroach in your kitchen or home can be. Although cockroaches are tiny and look insignificant, they are irritating pests that contaminate food, cause allergies, and spread bacteria at home.

With about 70 species of cockroaches in Florida, there is a wide possibility of which cockroach species is ravaging your home, garage, or attic.

Pest management is a difficult task for any homeowner, so it’s best to contact a pest control professional at the first signs of a cockroach problem.

Let’s take a look at how to identify some of the most common cockroach species in Florida and, ultimately, how to avoid different types of roaches from invading your home.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Cockroaches In Central Florida?

Cockroaches come in all shapes and sizes, from 1/2 inches long to several inches in length. Cockroaches can have different colors depending on their classification and the local environment- ranging from reddish-brown and black to brown and even white after they’ve molted.

The most identifiable feature of these insects is their oval-shaped bodies which make them appear flat when viewed head-on but allow more excellent insects to squeeze through tight crevices and tiny cracks in the floorboards!

American Cockroaches

The American Cockroach is the largest of all house-infesting cockroaches, and it can fly or glide short distances. The name “palmetto bug” doesn’t do justice to this pest because its habitat ranges far beyond palmettos (although they are found there too).

They also inhabit many Central Florida homes like cupboards, under the refrigerator, and other dark corners. The American cockroach is the largest of all house-infesting roaches, and it can fly or glide over short distances. Both males and females have wings to help them escape from danger.

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are the most dominant cockroaches that live in Florida homes. German cockroaches have six legs, half brown colored half an inch in length, and horizontal stripes on the head. German roaches can produce more than ten thousand offspring within a year.

Asian Cockroaches

Asian cockroaches look like German cockroaches, but Asian cockroaches are more muscular, have wings for flight, and live outdoors. Asian cockroaches are primarily found in shaded places, but they are unusually attracted to light, so they head to light bulbs and light from gadgets at home.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches

Smoky brown cockroaches are cockroaches that live in a warm and moist environment. They seek water all the time because they quickly get dehydrated. Smoky brown cockroaches are one inch long and have mahogany bodies with shiny blackheads, six legs, and wings more extended than their body length, which they use for flight.

What Dangers Do Cockroaches Pose To Central Florida Homeowners?

Florida is a melting pot for cockroaches. We have German, Australian, and Asian species of the insect, but no matter what nationality gets into your home, it’s always bad news because it can cause harm to your home and the health of your family.

You never want these dirty insects living with you, which means that if there ever was an infestation, then you need to contact a local pest control expert to help you rid your home of roaches. Roaches can harm your home and family in several ways, including:

• Spread diseases as they explore garbage in waste bins, pick up parasites, germs, and harmful bacteria and bring them home. This can cause food contamination, leading to typhoid fever, dysentery, diarrhea, Cholera, Leprosy, and viral diseases when such food items are consumed.
• Eat household materials such as clothes, books, wallpapers, ceiling boards, which can cost you money in the long run.
• Cause allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, and some other infections which may become chronic.
• Their feces produce an offensive odor that attracts even more cockroaches to your home.

What Attracts Cockroaches To Your Home?

Roaches come in search of three things: food, shelter, and water. But they have developed an ability to use even the most minor cracks as an entrance into your house, through walls or floorboards, for example!

To prevent these pests from coming inside, you should seal all possible entry points with caulk and weather stripping before a roach can enter your home. Here are the things to keep an eye out for to prevent a roach problem from developing in your home:

1. Water Sources: Cockroaches find moist areas such as bathroom walls, AC units, dehumidifiers, and showers conducive for living and even encourage breeding. Look out for leaky pipes or sitting water in a laundry room since these are places roaches will hunt for as they look for a constant water source.
2. Trash & Waste Bins: Cockroaches are also attracted to waste bins and garbage at home as the smell of the wastes draws them.
3. Food Items: Cockroaches also get attracted to food sources and crumbs in your home, especially in the kitchen and dining room. Make sure you store food in airtight containers and clean up sticky messes as soon as possible. Don’t forget to store pet food in containers, too, since roaches can eat dog or cat food too!
4. Clutter & Debris: Many roach problems start with debris left unattended in your lawn and garage areas. Look for leaf litter and other piles where the roaches can hide. Be sure to clear out cardboard boxes in your garage since cockroaches like to live and breed in these areas.

Professional Pest Control Services You Can Trust!

Cockroaches are dangerous pests that cause harm at home. If cockroaches are not adequately managed at home, they can cause damage to many properties at home.

Roaches can be pesky tiny insects that just won’t give your house a rest. Luckily, there are some things you could try to get out of the way before they become more significant problems!

You should call your local trusted pest control experts at LawnWorx to help with your infestations. Our team of cockroach control technicians uses advanced techniques and products to ensure your pest management needs are taken care of before roaches can harm your home or family.