Getting Rid of Those Disgusting Roaches in Portland, ME
There is not much worse than spotting an ugly, dirty cockroach in your home. You may recoil at its mere presence, then wonder where it came from, how it got in and if it has friends hiding nearby. Perhaps what is worse than spotting one cockroach is spotting more than one. They are truly one of the United States’ most disgusting insects, but they are also dangerous and should be taken care of immediately.
Fortunately, if you spot a cockroach at your home in Maine, they probably won’t survive winter. Cockroaches thrive on warmth and moisture. However, if you spot one in your home during the warmer months, you will want to react immediately.
You shouldn’t rely on a DIY fix to do the trick–though, you probably don’t want to! The best way to remove cockroaches is by a proven southern Maine cockroach exterminator like Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control.
Identifying Cockroaches
Cockroaches are usually up to two inches long and can easily be identified by their long, stocky brown bodies, six legs and two antennae. Some cockroaches also have wings in a brownish red color, however, (thankfully!) most winged cockroaches don’t usually fly. Young cockroaches are pale in color compared to older cockroaches. While these common household pests are quite a nuisance and health hazard in homes, they are actually beneficial to the environment by helping to recycle decaying organic materials. Thus, why they love dirty homes with food left out, and how they obtain and carry various harmful diseases. In addition to carrying diseases and leaving bacteria in their wake, the debris from their dead bodies and droppings can escalate allergies and asthma, especially in children.
Unfortunately, even if you are able to keep a spotless home with food always put away, you may still experience cockroaches. The American Cockroach is notorious for finding entry points in even the smallest of crevices and through HVAC vents. Because they are nocturnal, they are most active when the lights are out, and you are fast asleep. Then there is their lightning-fast reproduction. You can almost guarantee that for everyone you see, there are many more hiding out in various stages of life.
Sanitation will always be the number one tip for preventing cockroaches. You can do this by not allowing your trash or dishes to pile up, limiting where you eat (and therefore limiting potential crumbs), and sealing food containers.
Vacuuming a few times, a week will help remove cockroach feces, body parts, and egg sacks which may draw even more cockroaches to your home. Additionally, you can consider different ways to seal cracks and crevices in your home. Pipes, crawl spaces, windows, and doors are possible entry points for cockroaches that should be secure.
In addition to food, cockroaches are attracted to warmth and moisture. Leaky pipes and moisture from sinks, bathrooms and laundry rooms may also attract them. If you are concerned about cockroaches, these rooms are just as important as left out food or an overflowing trash bin in the kitchen.
Signs of cockroaches include:
- Feces: Cockroaches feces may resemble pepper or even coffee grounds. Sometimes cockroach feces may be mistaken for mice droppings.
- Eggs: Because cockroaches breed fast, any signs of shell casings (oblong and brown) may be signs of an infestation. Common places for cockroach eggs include tight crevices behind furniture or in cracks and crevices.
- Smell: The longer the cockroaches have infested in your home, the worst the smell gets. Usually, the smell is musty or oily.
DIY tips and tricks for removing cockroaches may seem like a great idea in theory, however, this method of cockroach extermination may not be effective. If you are as grossed out by them as the average person, you will also be less likely or willing to follow the baited trap method. Not to mention, the cockroach’s elusiveness and ability to hide well and breed quickly means do-it-yourself extermination rarely goes well or kills them all. Their eggs are even naturally protected from most over-the-counter insecticides, meaning professional exterminators will handle them best.
Cockroach Extermination in Portland, ME
To really head into battle and win the infestation, you need Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control as your premier southern Maine cockroach exterminator. Hiring professionals to handle cockroach extermination is so much easier than handling the pest on your own. The professionals at Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control know cockroaches in and out, so you can be confident that they are gone for good.
In addition to protecting against cockroaches, Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control helps against various other pests including bees, bed bugs, and termites. You don’t have to face these pests alone. Protect your home and your family by asking the professionals for some help. Give us a call today at (207) 650-8654 for efficient pest removal!