Pest Control In Houston

What are Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are one of the most unpleaseant pests and most common for causing problems in your home. The best thing you can do as a homeowner is arm yourself with the knowledge of what the species in our area look like and which ones you should really worry about. Most common here in the greater Houston area; American Cockroaches, Smokey Brown Cockroaches, Asian Cockroaches, Oriental Cockroaches, and German Cockroaches.

Most of the cockroaches that we come into contact with in the area are outdoor cockroaches. They love Houston for its humidity and warm climate. The American, Oriental, and Smokey Brown are all outdoor pests that can wander indoors at times but their habitats are outside under foliage and leaves and even taking refuge underground in the root systems of some of our outdoor plants.

Types of Cockroaches In The Greater Houston Area

German Cockroaches

The German Cockroach is about one half inch to three quarters of an inch long. These cockroaches are an infestation pest and can reproduce very quickly. They depend on humans to survive and cannot live outdoors. The German Cockroach cannot fly and only enters your home or business by hitchhiking on goods or on people.
These cockroaches don't like the light and will hide in small cracks and crevices to stay out of the light and they will stay preferably close to their food source. Where you see one German Cockroach, there may be a ton more lurking in a crevice nearby. Due to their love of tight cracks and crevices, they can often get into places where DIY products and cockroach bombs may not be to reach and often times those products cause the problem to move to a diffent area rather than resolve it.
If you're dealing with German Cockroaches, give us a call today!

American Cockroaches

American Cockroaches are a much larger cockroach than the German. It is actually the largest of the cockroach species here in the greater Houston area at about one and a half inches. These are often referred to as a Waterbug, which sounds much better than a cockroach but even with its nickname, nobody likes to see one in their home.
American Cockroaches are an outdoor pest that survives in moist areas. They often live in the sewer systems and travel into yards and near homes in the warmer weather. Sometimes even entering homes or buildings through drains with no p-trap.
These cockroaches can only fly for short distances and most often just run. They are the fastest species of cockroaches as well. While they are not nearly as prone to infest your hone, you don't want to "do nothing" when it comes to this pest. You can help create the perfect habitat around your home where you will see them all too often.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental Cockroaches are another outdoor cockroach that live in the damp areas around your home such as damp leaves and decaying foliage that has been laying around. This cockroach is a dark, almost black cockroach that is three quarters of an inch to an inch and a quarter long. This species of cockroach does not fly. You may know this cockroach as a 'waterbug'.
Similar to the American Cockroach, while they are not a major threat to your home indoors, you don't want to create a perfect atmosphere for them to live in or they will soon be noticed way more than you would like.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Cockroaches can be very dangerous as they are known to spread disease. Just as with rodents, cockroaches crawl around in trash and other areas that are hazardous and can be crawling in and on top of food that you eat when you don't even know it. The potential diseases that they carry can especially affect small children and those with weak immune systems.

Oriental cockroaches also have the ability to bite people, but bites generally only occur during very large infestations – at which point the other health hazards they pose are often more concerning.

Steps You Can Take To Prevent Cockroaches
In The Greater Houston Area

These pests are often difficult to eliminate as they can wedge themselves in tiny cracks and crevices where it is difficult to get product and sometimes make the homeowner unaware that they are even there before the population gets too large. Here are some tips you can use to keep cockroaches away:

• Seal any holes in your home’s walls and siding that they could use to get inside.
• Clean up spilled food or beverages immediately.
• Keep doors and windows closed when not in use.
• Clean and vacuum the house often.
• Store food in airtight containers or in the refrigerator.

• Eliminate any moisture issues both inside and outside your home, using air conditioners and dehumidifiers where necessary – especially in the basement or attic.
• Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, caulking all gaps around windows and doors.
• Seal the holes around exterior utility lines, wires, and pipes entering your home.
• Keep the sink clear of dirty dishes.
• Take out the trash regularly and store outside in sealed containers.
• Inspect boxes and packages for signs of cockroaches before bringing them inside.