Cockroaches are a common pest in Florida homes, and as pesky as they may be, they can also pose a health threat to your loved ones. Because they are resilient and thrive in warm, humid climates, nearly 40% of greater Tampa Bay homeowners report at least one cockroach infestation per year.
If you suspect a cockroach infestation, it is vital that you contact the leading Tampa pest control service company, Nvirotect Pest Control Services, for the best chance at removing them from your home and preventing future infestations from occurring.
Common Types of Cockroaches in Florida
The American Cockroach is one of the most common species of cockroaches in Florida. At around four centimeters long on average, these large, reddish-brown cockroaches can fly and tend to live primarily outdoors. They prefer moist, shady areas and will sometimes go indoors to get food.
The German Cockroach is the smallest cockroach found in Florida, only measuring around half an inch long. They are light brown in color and have transparent wings. German cockroaches are identifiable by the thin, dark stripes behind the head. These cockroaches settle their colonies indoors, preferring dark, humid areas, such as garages, or areas where they can easily access food.
As the name suggests, Florida Wood Cockroaches can be found outside, rarely spending time indoors. They love piles of dead wood, damp, organic material such as branches and leaves, and rocks. These cockroaches can grow to around an inch and a half long and have a sturdy, stout stature. A key identifier of the Florida wood cockroach is the foul odor that they secrete.
Oriental Cockroaches are relatively large, at around one inch in length, and are known for their smooth, black coloring, earning them the nickname “black beetle cockroaches.” They also secrete a musty, foul odor when communicating with one another. They can be found outdoors in warm, damp, and shady areas, and especially love gathering in decaying organic matter, under mulch, and in sewer pipes, basements, and drains.
Telltale Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
If you suspect that you may have a cockroach infestation, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:
- Droppings
- Cockroach droppings vary from looking like specks of pepper to miniature pellets. Look out for large amounts of droppings in a general area.
- Egg cases
- Cockroaches lay their eggs in cases that look like capsules. These small covers can hold up to 50 cockroach babies, also called nymphs.
- Smear marks
- If there is a lot of moisture, cockroaches will leave smear marks on the walls and horizontal surfaces within your home. These smear marks are brown and can also be found in the areas where the floors and walls meet.
- Shed skins
- Cockroaches can shed their skin between 5 and 8 times. These skins can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions when inhaled.
- Musty odor
- When your home is infested with cockroaches that secrete foul odors, you will begin to smell musty musk. A couple of cockroaches will not be able to give off enough odor to notice, but the presence of an odor suggests the presence of many cockroaches.
Health Risks of Cockroach Infestations
Cockroaches can trigger fairly major health risks. Cockroaches can carry disease-causing pathogens and bacteria. Some diseases and food-borne illnesses that have been detected as a result of cockroaches include salmonella, E.coli, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Severe gastrointestinal illness can have grave effects on those who contract it.
Additionally, cockroach droppings can trigger asthma attacks, allergy attacks, and other symptoms, such as rashes and coughing. According to the National Institute of Health, around 85% of inner-city US homes have at least one person living there with a cockroach allergy.
Taking quick action will help to eliminate infestations. To minimize the health risks associated with cockroach infestations, you must contact a Tampa pest control service company like Nvirotect Pest Control Services as soon as you possibly can.
Preventing Cockroach Infestations in Your Home
There are steps that you can take to help prevent cockroach infestations in your home, or at least minimize the possibility of them occurring again. Nvirotect Pest Control Services recommends being proactive in taking measures to prevent these stubborn pests. Follow the checklist below to best protect your own home and family.
- Sealing cracks and crevices in the home
- Quickly cleaning food left out
- Disposing of trash properly
- Cleaning frequently under refrigerators, stoves, furniture, etc.
- Cleaning and clearing clutter
- Disposing of cardboard boxes and packaging from shipments in a timely manner
What to Do if You Have a Cockroach Infestation
If you suspect that you have a cockroach infestation in your home, it is best to immediately contact Nvirotect Pest Control Services for the best pest control treatment in Tampa. However, there are other important steps to take once you begin to suspect that there are unwanted guests.
First, work to deeply clean and sanitize your home, specifically working to clean out tight spaces and other areas of your home that may not be cleaned as frequently. After cleaning, it is highly recommended to seal up any cracks and crevices in your walls, doors, and windows to prevent any cockroaches from entering your home.
Hire the Pros to Get the Job Done
Once you notice signs of a cockroach infestation in your home, the best step to take is to hire professionals at the best pest control company in Tampa. Nvirotect’s cockroach treatment services will eliminate the existing cockroaches within your home as well as provide ongoing services to help effectively prevent any more infestations from occurring.
You deserve to enjoy your home without any intruding, unwanted guests living there as well. If you suspect that cockroaches are infesting your home, give Nvirotect a call today at 813.968.7031 or complete our contact request form for a competitive quote on effective cockroach treatment.
