When it comes to dangerous pests, cockroaches might be at the top of the list. Discovering you have cockroaches in your Collegeville home should be taken seriously. Aside from ruining your home, a cockroach infestation also has the potential to cause serious health risks, including allergies and spreading diseases.

Perhaps you've seen a cockroach leg or two in your snack cupboard or observed one coming out of the drain in your shower. No matter the place, these cockroach sightings should be noted. In this blog, we help you understand why they can be such a health hazard, provide tips for prevention, and tell you which Collegeville pest control company to call when you have a cockroach problem.

Types Of Cockroaches You Can Find In Collegeville

In the world of cockroaches, there are many different kinds that tend to stick to certain regions of the country. In Collegeville, Pennsylvania, the most common cockroaches you will find are:

• American cockroaches - These cockroaches can be found all over the U.S. They are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and have a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their head. You'll often find them in dark, moist environments like a basement or attic. American cockroaches are also known to be massive cockroaches compared to others.
•  Brown-banded cockroaches - Brown-banded cockroaches are a bit smaller than American cockroaches, usually about ½ an inch. These pests are mostly brown with two lighter-colored brown bands, giving them their name. They tend to hang out in higher locations, such as in your kitchen cupboard. The male brown-banded cockroaches can also fly.
•  German cockroaches - German cockroaches are well known and can be found all over the country as well. They're about a ½ to ? of an inch long and tend to be lighter brown in color with two dark stripes on their backs. These roaches prefer warm, humid environments, and even though they have wings, they rarely fly.

If you find any of these cockroaches, it's important to take action with roach pest control immediately. Where there's one, there are likely many more.

Why Cockroach Infestations Are Such A Health Hazard

Many people despise having to deal with a cockroach infestation because it's quite uncomfortable to live with. Nobody likes discovering bugs in their cereal boxes! Comfort aside, there's an even bigger health hazard afoot. Cockroaches carry many diseases and are very unhealthy to live with. They can infect your food, countertops, and wherever else they may be hiding. 

Another reason cockroaches are a health hazard is that they can cause severe allergies and pose a serious risk to people with asthma. Wheezing, coughing, and sneezing are all symptoms of a cockroach infestation. If you randomly start experiencing allergies, it could be that you're living amongst cockroaches.

Practical Cockroach Prevention Tips For Your Home

You might be wondering how to deter cockroaches from entering your home in the first place. First, it's important to inspect the inside and outside walls of your home for any holes or cracks, including your foundation. Any cracks or holes will be a welcome call to pests searching for warmth and food.

Another way to prevent cockroaches is to make sure all your trash cans, inside and outside the home, have proper, tight-fitted lids. Cockroaches love your trash and will do anything they can to sneak a meal out of it.

Finally, it's important you clean up after yourself in your home. Don't let dishes pile up for a week, or spills go unwiped. Be sure to clean up any sticky countertops and put leftover food in proper storage containers.

The Best Cockroach Control Solution For Your Home

While the tips mentioned above help prevent an infestation, what can you do when you already face a problem? The best way to control cockroaches in your home is to hire a professional like Terra. At Terra, we know where cockroaches like to hide and how to get rid of them safely and effectively. If you're dealing with a cockroach problem, give us a call today.

Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Simply fill out this form for a free, no-obligation estimate.