Cockroach Removal in Baltimore County
Cockroaches: A Comprehensive Guide
From Baltimore, MD’s Leading Pest Management Team
Cockroaches are one of the hardiest and most adaptable insects on the planet. This means that once a breeding pair finds its way into your home or business, cockroaches can be incredibly difficult to remove without proper extermination methods.
At All Star Pest Management, we specialize in cockroach control for homes and businesses in and around Columbia, MD. We’ve compiled a short guide on cockroaches, their infestation habits, and prevention tips to help you stay roach-free year-round. Read on to learn more, and call our pest control team to get rid of cockroaches for good today!
What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are ancient insects of the order Blattodea. Typically, a black, brown, or dark orange color, cockroaches are omnivorous and can survive in almost any climate. With over 3,000 species of cockroach worldwide, roughly 50 species are known to be associated with humans and are identified as pests in the United States. Among the most common is the American cockroach, which is native to the State of Maryland. Other common varieties include the Oriental cockroach and the German cockroach.
Cockroaches are omnivores and love decaying foods that have a high starch, sugar, or protein content. These persistent bugs also survive off eating non-food items, including book bindings, toothpaste, soaps, nylon clothing, and more. Learn more about what attracts cockroaches and how to prevent them below.
If you have a cockroach problem, do not hesitate to give All-Star Pest Management a call. They are professional, punctual, extremely thorough! I use them for my rental properties and any time an issue arises I know I am in good hands.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
There are several signs to look for when checking your property for a cockroach infestation, including:
- Cockroaches: The first and most obvious signs are cockroaches themselves. Cockroaches are nocturnal insects and spend most of their time hidden in dark, moist places, such as underneath refrigerators, ovens, and sinks. If you happen to see a cockroach in the daytime, chances are there are more nearby.
- Cockroach feces: Another telltale sign of a cockroach problem, look for trace amounts of small black droppings similar in size and color to coffee grounds. These may belong to one of the smaller roach species. Larger roaches leave slightly bigger cylindrical droppings.
- Oily smell: Many roach species also emanate a distinct and unpleasant odor. An oily or musty smell in localized areas of your home may be a sign of a cockroach infestation.
- Cockroach shells and egg cases: Be on the lookout for dead cockroach bodies and small oval-shaped egg cases.
What Attracts Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are attracted by the smell of food, and because they’re omnivores, they’ll eat practically anything. Foods that are especially attractive to cockroaches include:
- Starches
- Sugars
- Grease and meat
- Cheese
Decaying food spilled or dripping liquids, and damp areas also entice these home invaders in droves. Your trash cans and kitchen are prime targets for cockroach infestations. All cockroaches and especially Oriental cockroaches love moist and damp areas such as drains, basements, and small crawlspaces, as well.
Indoor Prevention Tips
Prevent these pests from coming indoors by regularly cleaning areas particularly susceptible to a cockroach infestation. These include the undersides of refrigerators, stoves, and sinks. Cover and empty your trash cans regularly, and make sure that no food is left out for extended periods of time. Decaying food that contains sugar, starches, grease, or protein is especially attractive to cockroaches.
In addition, ensure that your lining paper and wallpaper lie flat so that roaches cannot burrow underneath. Try to keep your basements and crawlspaces as dry as possible, as certain breeds of cockroaches—and Oriental roaches, in particular—thrive in moist, humid environments.
Outdoor Prevention Tips
Since roach infestations start from the outside, proper roach prevention begins with proper outdoor care. Make sure your yard is free of dead vegetation and try your best to keep all vegetation at least a foot away from your building. Additionally, it is important to make sure that your doors and windows are properly sealed and that there are no holes or cracks anywhere in your building.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
If you’re already dealing with a cockroach infestation, don’t hesitate to call the professional exterminators at All Star Pest Management. While removing old food and cleaning regularly are easy ways to prevent infestation, they can still make their way into your home. It’s extremely difficult to completely remove cockroaches from your property once that happens. All Star Pest Management will ensure your pest problem is resolved and your home is protected from future invasion. Spare yourself the frustration of trying to get rid of these pests with home remedies or store-bought pesticides; trust the experts to take care of the problem thoroughly and effectively for you.
Comprehensive Cockroach Control by All Star Pest Management
As one of the toughest and most adaptable pests out there, cockroaches are incredibly difficult to remove without the help of a professional. If you believe you currently have a cockroach problem in your home or business, our pest management professionals at All Star Pest Management can help.
We provide highly effective roach control solutions for properties across the Columbia, MD, and the surrounding region. Roaches are hardy, adaptable, and known to carry several harmful pathogens. Don’t let your cockroach problem go uncontrolled—call our team today!
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