Cockroach Identification Guide

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are very common, but very unwanted, pests that sometimes live inside our homes and businesses. The adaptability of cockroaches have allowed these insects to thrive longer than most other species of insects. Cockroaches have oily, oval-shaped bodies with six legs and two long antennae. Most species have wings, but not all can fly. Two of the most common species of cockroaches living in Utah are the German cockroach and Oriental cockroach.

Most of the 4,500 species of cockroaches living worldwide live outside away from people, helping to breakdown decaying materials. It is only about 30 species that have come to live near people, taking advantage of the food and shelter we offer them.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

The presence of cockroaches can cause respiratory issues by triggering allergies or causing allergy attacks. Cockroaches carry diseases, bacteria, and parasites on their bodies and can spread pathogens to food and surfaces, which can make people ill.

As cockroaches feed and travel throughout your home or business, they will chew on and stain clothing, upholstered furniture, other fabrics, walls, floors, and more. They will not only contaminate food, but things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, utensils, and dishes.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches are active throughout the year, finding their way inside homes and businesses on their own while foraging for food or accidentally after hitchhiking inside bags, boxes, deliveries, furniture, or electronics.

Most cockroaches gravitate to properties with areas of excessive moisture or standing water. Properties that offer multiple places for them to forage for food also attract them. They commonly find food in trash cans, compost bins, outdoor eating areas, pet food bowls, dirty dishes in sinks, and crumbs on the floors.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Oriental cockroaches are not aquatic, but they are often referred to as “water bugs” because they prefer to live in or very near extremely damp locations. Outside, these roaches live near sewers and drains, under mulch, and under leaves or other piles of debris that trap moisture. Inside, these moisture-loving pests live around toilets, in damp basements, in cabinets under sinks, and kitchen areas.

German cockroaches live most of their lives inside. They are common pests in homes, restaurants, schools, hotels, food processing facilities, and anywhere else food is prepared or stored. They like to live in warm, humid areas of a structure like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

A cockroach infestation is a frustrating pest problem. The easiest way to get rid of cockroaches and other pests is to partner with Pest Pro Pest Control. We provide the effective home pest control and commercial pest control services needed to protect Utah residential and commercial properties from insects, rodents, and other pests.

At Pest Pro Pest Control, we are committed to helping Utah home and business owners maintain pest-free properties with our guaranteed pest control services. For more information about our cockroach control treatments in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, reach out to Pest Pro Pest Control today!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Keep your Utah home and yard protected from cockroaches with the help of Pest Pro Pest Control and the following prevention tips:

• Seal any entry points that give roaches access to your home.

• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

• Fix‌ any ‌leaky‌ ‌pipes‌ ‌and‌ ‌fixtures.

• Maintain gutters to make sure they are directing water away from the outside of your home.

• Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels in your home.

• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on‌ ‌trash‌ ‌cans‌ ‌and‌ ‌compost‌ ‌bins‌.

• Store‌ your ‌food ‌in‌ ‌airtight‌ ‌containers or the refrigerator.

• Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.

• Wash‌ ‌dishes‌ ‌and‌ ‌remove‌ ‌trash‌ ‌from‌ ‌your‌ ‌home‌ daily.

• Sweep and vacuum your floors daily.

• Inspect boxes, packages, used furniture, and electronics for cockroaches.