There are few things as disturbing as dosing a cockroach with a control material only to watch it crawl away with complete indifference. How do they do that? Cockroaches are incredibly robust and resilient insects. They're also born with defensive behavior patterns that help them avoid treated surfaces, harmful food sources, and other control methods. If you're struggling to deal with San Diego cockroaches, it isn't surprising. You're also not alone. Many people struggle with roaches. What can you do about them, and how can you get rid of cockroaches in your home? Join us as we look at common cockroaches in San Diego, why it is critical to properly control them, how a professional addresses a roach infestation, and five tips to help prevent future cockroach infestations. You're sure to find some helpful tips and insights here. If you would like to speak with someone about your cockroach pest control needs, feel free to give us a call. You can also request a service visit through our contact page. HomeShield Pest Control offers innovative pest control in San Diego and industry-leading solutions for cockroach control and prevention. 

Species Of Cockroaches That Commonly Invade San Diego Homes

There are four cockroach species we see most in our San Diego service area. They are American, German, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches. Each of these roach pests is somewhat different. It is good to know the differences, so let's begin by discussing cockroach identification.

  • Cockroaches all have several common visual characteristics. They are six-legged insects with spines on their legs. They have long antennae that curve out to each side. They have three body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen. They have two appendages on the end of the abdomen called cerci. On the back of a cockroach are stacked wings or wing pads. Cockroaches that have wing pads look quite different from roaches with fully-formed wings.   
  • American cockroaches are large chestnut roaches. On the back, between the head and wings, you'll see a yellow marking with two chestnut-colored dots. At certain angles, this marking may look like a figure eight. Mostly, you can tell American cockroaches by their size. They can grow to 2 ? inches long. These roaches have a high moisture requirement and won't prefer to live in a home that is too dry for them.
  • Oriental cockroaches are black roaches with smaller wings or wing pads. They look more armored than the other roaches because of the lack of long, fully-developed wings. Of all the cockroaches listed here, these are the dirties. They prefer outdoor environments and get into rotting organic matter and sewers. When they go in and out of your home, they will spread the harmful organisms they've picked up in dirty locations found outdoors.
  • German cockroaches are tan cockroaches with two black lines on the back between the head and wings. These are the worst home-infesting cockroaches. They tolerate dry conditions and survive in homes even where food is scarce. When these roaches invade, a professional German cockroach treatment is necessary.
  • Brown-banded cockroaches have a yellow coloration in the abdomen and a head and thorax that are mostly black. Their legs are pale, and the pale coloration can also be seen on the back as two light-colored bands. Males have wings that cover this coloration. Females have short wings, and the pale bands are noticeable. These cockroaches live indoors permanently if they're able. Inside a structure, they'll gravitate to warm areas of a home.

All roaches are not created equal. Oriental cockroaches are deterred by exclusion work performed during the day. American cockroaches are impacted by sanitation and moisture control, which may drive them out. German and brown-banded cockroaches are domestic roaches and require an Integrated Pest Management approach to eliminate them.          

german cockroach on a wet plate

The Diseases Cockroaches Can Spread

Cockroaches are unsanitary pests. They crawl in dirty places and eat dirty things. Oriental cockroaches are the worst because they don't remain permanently indoors where it is cleaner. American cockroaches are also quite dirty because they tend to go in and out. While German and brown-banded roaches can remain indoors permanently, they are far from clean. They can find some pretty dirty surfaces inside a home.

Along with spreading germs from dirty places to clean places, cockroaches are recognized as one of the most important sources of allergens. They also aggravate asthma symptoms. In a recent study, it was discovered that roach infestations led to an increase in hospital visits for asthma-related symptoms, and children were hit the hardest in this study.

If all of this isn't enough reason to want cockroaches out of your home, there are a few more facts you need to know.

  • Cockroaches can cause rashes on some individuals when they walk on the skin.
  • Cockroaches can cause a welt on your eye or lip when they accidentally bite you while you sleep. Why do they bite? It happens by accident. Cockroaches eat dead skin in eyebrows, on eyelashes, and around the lips. When they accidentally bite, the wound can get infected by the bacteria on the cockroaches, and swelling occurs.
  • Cockroaches can crawl on your eyes and trigger allergic conjunctivitis. If you wake up with pink eye, there is a chance that cockroaches in your home had something to do with it.

When you discover cockroaches in your home, it is essential to use an effective strategy to get them out and keep them out. That brings us to the meat of our discussion today. 

Contact The Pros At The First Sign Of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are typically hard to eliminate, control, and exclude. Many of the suggestions given on the internet don't work. Some control methods work but don't provide a complete solution. A licensed pest control technician works the problem and uses a field-tested strategy. When baits are applied, the correct bait is used for the species, and the success of the baiting strategy is evaluated with monitoring products and professional inspections. Your technician tracks the treatment and makes alterations as needed. Along with bait, your technician will apply other control products and methods to ensure complete elimination. We'll also work to address the conditions that lead to the infestation. It is a multi-pronged process that requires specialized knowledge and experience.

If you're in San Diego, contact HomeShield Pest Control for expert advice and results-based solutions. Our service team has the training and experience to guide you toward an effective resolution to your cockroach issue. We're the right choice for cockroach pest control in San Diego.  

Five Tips To Prevent Future Cockroach Infestation

Once the cockroaches are gone, what do you do next? How do you keep cockroaches from coming back again? There are a few things you can do to deter cockroaches. 

  1. Remove smells that lure cockroaches to your home. Roaches are attracted to stinky things and potential food sources. Anything unsanitary will lure cockroaches to your property. If you have a trash receptacle that has started to stink a little, cockroaches will take notice. If you have a dog leaving droppings in your yard, cockroaches will have a food source. If you have compost that is not properly mixed, roaches will love you for it. They are drawn to dirty, stinky, and unsanitary things. 
  2. Address moist conditions that cockroaches find favorable. A damp perimeter is sure to attract cockroaches. Get your gutters cleaned and manage your landscaping to keep things dry. 
  3. Remove cockroach hiding places near your home. Cockroaches hide under leaves, dead branches, stones, bricks, toys, construction materials, and many other things. Keep the perimeter next to your home free of objects cockroaches can hide underneath. 
  4. Address potential entry points cockroaches may use to get into your home. One of the most important steps you can take to keep cockroaches out of your home is to seal every crack, gap, and hole you can find. The tools for this job are expanding foam, a caulking gun, and a foundation repair kit. No hole is too small. Be sure to also address damaged door sweeps, weatherstripping, screens, and other materials that guard your home from pest entry. 
  5. Consider getting a pest control service plan. HomeShield Pest Control offers residential pest control that provides premium protection against pest infestations. We apply a three-foot barrier of protection around your entire home. We check for harborage areas, pest routes, entry points, and migration paths. We treat doorways and window joints for added protection. When you have layers of pest control around your San Diego home, cockroaches will have a hard time getting in.

Pests are a fact of life in San Diego. The weather here isn't just ideal for humans. We have a long list of pests that can enter our homes. Let your cockroach problem inspire you to get the pest control you've always needed. Jump over to our contact page to ask questions, share your pest concerns, or to request a service visit. HomeShield Pest Control provides the highest level of pest control and impeccable service every time. You don't have to live with cockroaches and other pests.