Cockroaches are one of the most common insects on the planet. In Southern California, the most common species found are the German, Oriental, and American cockroaches. They are considered one of the most adaptable insects in existence today but with our professional treatments, we can get rid of these pests and prevent them from nesting in your structure.

AMERICAN COCKROACH

APPEARANCE 

The American cockroach is the largest of the species and are common to Southern California. Adults are approximately 1-1/2 inches long and reddish brown, with fully developed wings that cover the entire length of the abdomen. American cockroaches are capable of flying but rarely do in northern areas of the United States. The American cockroach can be identified by its large size and reddish brown color with faded yellow edges on the thorax.

HABITAT 

When found indoors, the nymphs and adults are usually found in dark, warm and moist areas of cabinets, crawl spaces, and in and around bathtubs, floor drains, and sewers. They are common around manholes of sewers, and in water meter boxes. The adults can survive two or three months without food and will eat almost anything, but can only survive around a month without water.

DIET 

American cockroaches feed upon a great variety of materials such as cheese, beer, leather, bakery products, starch in bookbinding’s, manuscripts, glue, hair, flakes of dried skin, dead animals, plant materials, soiled clothing, and glossy paper with starch sizing. Cockroaches contaminate far more food than they are able to eat. 

AMERICAN COCKROACH CONTROL

To control American cockroaches, it is important to do a thorough inspection. A cockroach survey (trapping) is sometimes necessary to determine the extent of an infestation, as even a thorough inspection does not always reveal all cockroach foraging areas. Cockroach surveys involve placing sticky traps at strategic locations within the building. Sanitation, Structural Modifications, and Repairs – Modifying the interior environment—removing food, moisture, and harborages available to cockroaches—is the first step in treatment. Eliminating cockroach harborages involves caulking in closets and cabinets, caulking under the sink, etc., or making similar structural repairs in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house.

GERMAN COCKROACH

APPEARANCE 

Brown; about 1/2″ in length, with two dark, longitudinal stripes on the “shield” at the front of its body.

HABITAT 

German cockroaches are found throughout structures but prefer warm and humid places. Roach control should focus on bathrooms and the kitchen, two places frequented by this pest. It spends about 80% of its time resting in cracks and voids near a source of food and/or water. These cockroaches most commonly enter buildings via paper products or packaging such as grocery bags, cardboard boxes and drink cartons.

DIET 

Scavenger; eats almost anything, including such things as soap, glue and toothpaste.

GERMAN COCKROACH CONTROL 

Cockroaches pose serious health risks to your family or business. Controlling German cockroaches takes expertise and persistence due to their rapid reproductive rate. At least 95% of the populations must be eliminated during initial treatment or they will return. Baits are a particularly effective form of roach control for this species, but correct placement in cracks and crevices near harborages is critical.

ORIENTAL COCKROACH

APPEARANCE 

Shiny black to dark reddish brown; about 1″ in length. Females have no wings, only two small wing pads.

HABITAT 

The Oriental cockroach commonly inhabits sewers and storm culverts and will enter buildings through floor drains. It survives quite well outdoors in firewood, leaf litter, sheds, doghouses and similar locations. During the colder months, oriental cockroaches re-invade homes, establishing themselves in basements, cellars and crawl spaces.

DIET 

Scavenger; eats almost anything, they feed on filth.

ORIENTAL COCKROACH CONTROL 

Cockroaches pose serious health risks to your family or business. In addition to standard roach control treatments such as baits to kill an existing population, Oriental roach control requires particular attention to damp crawl spaces, basement and floor drains. Sealing cracks in your homes exterior and installing screens in all vents helps prevent these pests from returning.