Oriental Cockroaches
The oriental cockroach carries germs and bacteria which could end up making you sick. Staphylococcus, streptococcus and E coli are just some of the harmful bacteria that they often transmit. This is mostly due to the fact that their favorite source of "food" is garbage, and any other decaying organic matter, which often contains bacteria. For you, this means that getting rid of roaches as soon as you realize there's a problem.
Oriental roaches are also known as waterbugs due to their affinity for any place damp. They have a slightly shiny or glossy appearance and are dark brown or black in color. They are one of the larger roaches, measuring just about 1 1/4 inch in size. Adult males have fully developed wings reaching 3/4 of the way down their backs, but do not fly. Females have undeveloped wings, which are reduced to small lobes. These roaches are also known for being a bit slower than other roaches. All roaches prefer dark places, but oriental roaches prefer dark and moist places. For this reason, they are often found in basements, sewers, drains, under mulch, crawl spaces and floor drains. Their second favorite place is your garbage bin. Just one oriental roach egg can produce 18 roaches. Make sure to handle your pest problem quickly and promptly before it gets out of hand.
Oriental cockroaches are major household pests in parts of the Northwestern, Midwestern and Southern United States, in states like Michigan, Florida and Texas. Unlike most other large cockroaches, they live in temperate regions and do not survive in tropical climates. In fact, they thrive and prefer living in temperatures between 68 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit and where there is a lot of rain.
Best Defense Against Oriental Roaches
The best defense against oriental roaches is to keep a clean, moisture-free home. Use a dehumidifier in basements or other damp areas to limit humidity and moisture levels. Make sure to caulk and fix any plumbing leaks in and around faucets and pipes. It's also a good idea to remove any rotting wood on decks and window wells. Decaying wood is very inviting to oriental roaches.
If you have a compost bin in or around your home, you may want to make sure that it is not leading oriental roaches into your home. It's also a good idea to empty garage bins frequently. Try using a smaller garbage can or bin with smaller bags so that the garbage doesn't sit in the bin for too many days before being taken outside.
How to Get Rid of Oriental Cockroaches
There are some great sprays on the market that help to prevent and get rid of oriental cockroaches. If you have an infestation, you should promptly consult with an exterminator, who will come out to your home and rid it of these pests.
