How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Forever

Cockroaches are one of the most disgusting pests, the last critter any home or business owner wants to find. Some people can tolerate other pests like spiders, bees, and ants, but cockroaches must be on everyone’s intolerable list. No one likes to see cockroaches in any condition because they generally don’t appear when things are good. Today, we will go over how to get rid of cockroaches forever!

Dangers Of Cockroaches

These vile pests are not only an eye sore but also incredibly disgusting and pose risks to human health. Despite some people being willing to share their homes with another problem, no one should be willing to live among roaches.

German cockroach eating a cracker with jam

Cockroaches are notorious for thriving in filthy environments, often eating grime or anything else they can find. Finding a cockroach around the home is not a good sign because where there’s one, more are sure to follow.

Additionally, cockroaches can:

  • Spread Diseases- They can transmit diseases like salmonella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever.
  • Exasterbate Other Medical Conditions- Anyone with asthma is at risk of breathing difficulties if cockroaches are present. Cockroach debris, like old shells, saliva, and droppings, can cause asthma symptoms to flair.
  • Cause Sanitation Issues- Cockroaches get into everything from the trashcans to the pantry and other areas. They carry harmful germs over their bodies that can spread bacteria to food or high-touch surfaces.

Identify The Species Of Cockroach

The first step to getting rid of cockroaches forever is determining the type of species infesting the area of concern. Fortunately, cockroach identification is easier than most other species because they’re typically larger and not always hard to find. Additionally, different species prefer different environments that make looking for them easier.

Below is a quick cockroach identification guide to use as a reference.

adult German cockroach smaller than American

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are the most common species to infest Oregon homes and businesses. These species prefer to stay in the kitchen where grease, grime, and other food sources are abundant. Finding a German cockroach can be easy because they are likely to hide behind appliances due to these areas being dark and warm from the motors.

Additionally, they often travel along plumbing lines, so be sure to look under sinks and other areas with plumbing. These roaches can grow to about half an inch long and are brown, with two distinct bands running down their bodies. Male German cockroaches have wings but much prefer to run than fly.

oriental cockroach before wings

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are giant than German cockroaches and have a shiny black or red-brownish color. These roaches can grow to the size of an inch or more and prefer to live in damp environments.

Much like German cockroaches, the Oriental will still live in dark areas. Still, they are less tolerant of the heat when these cockroaches secrete a chemical that resembles a strong, musty smell that is blatantly obvious.

adult American cockroach with wings

American Cockroaches

The American cockroach is the largest species in household roach species you are likely to find. These reddish-brown cockroaches have a distinct figure-eight pattern on the back of their head. American cockroaches grow anywhere from 1 ¼” to 2 ⅛” long, making them hard to miss.

A scary fact about these cockroaches is they have wings and can fly, so watch out! It’s common to confuse American cockroach droppings with mice droppings, but either contact a pest professional if you notice signs.

Finding The Source

Figuring out where the cockroach activity resides can be challenging, depending on the level of infestation. For severe infestations, you’ll likely see physical activity around the more infested areas with other signs like droppings. You’ll need to do deeper digging if you suspect a cockroach infestation or only see one or two at a time.

Look behind all appliances, plumbing lines, and other hidden areas. Use signs of activity like dry, old shells, dead roaches, or droppings to help guide your hunt.

When hunting for cockroaches, you must wear gloves if you encounter them. Additionally, anyone with asthma or respiratory issues may want to wear a mask since cockroach byproduct worsens symptoms.

glue trap shows cockroach infestation

Clean Up

Hygiene is one of the bests ways to discourage cockroach activity because they thrive in dirty environments. Cockroaches are not proactive about finding food sources; they’d rather eat scraps and trash. Frequently cleaning will help keep them from setting up shop behind your fridge, oven, or dishwasher.

Cut Off Access Points

If the cockroaches can’t get inside, they can’t infest the home or business. Simply walk around the exterior to identify openings that may let them slip inside and seal them. Additionally, check door and window trim to ensure they’re adequately sealed.

Stop Them With Glueboards

Place glue boards in all active areas if you find cockroaches inside. Glueboards will catch some of them and help stop them from being able to mate and grow their populations, but this approach is not a fix-all for significant infestations.

Prime Pest Solutions gets rid of cockroaches forever with quarterly pest control

Call PRIME Pest Solutions

Getting rid of cockroaches typically takes a few services to eradicate the cockroach colony inside the home or business fully. Once infestations get to a certain point, home remedies may not be effective because their mating cycles are aggressive.

The best way to get rid of cockroaches forever is to hire a professional pest control service like Prime Pest Solutions. Our team will ensure your home or business remains cockroach-free so that you can live and operate with peace of mind. If cockroaches are appearing around your home office, don’t wait; contact Prime Pest Solutions immediately to get ahead of the problem!

Contact Us Right Away

If you are in need of immediate assistance, already know that you have a pest infestation or need to reach out right away, please contact us now!