Cockroaches are filthy insects that invade residential properties throughout the United States. Moline is home to several species of cockroaches. Cockroach infestations come with many dangers and health concerns, which makes preventative actions important for any homeowner. Keeping your property protected from these common pests can help you avoid the problems cockroaches cause.
Common Roaches in Moline
The most common home-invading roach species found in our area are the American Cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and German cockroach. Each of these cockroach species has a distinctive appearance.
American cockroaches are reddish-brown in color and are the largest of the common home-invading cockroach species at about 1.5 inches long or longer. American roaches also have a large pair of wings, but they rarely fly.
German cockroaches are light brown or tan in color with two dark stripes on their backs and can be anywhere from ½ to ⅝ of an inch long. These cockroaches have flat, oval-shaped bodies and long antenna.
Oriental cockroaches are 1.2 inches long or smaller. These roaches are easy to distinguish from other roaches by their black color and shiny bodies.
Are cockroach infestations dangerous?
Cockroaches don’t bite, sting, or cause direct physical harm, however, this doesn’t mean they’re harmless. As cockroaches crawl through sewer matter, feces, garbage, and decaying matter, they pick up bacteria on their bodies. If cockroaches manage to invade your property, they can contaminate food products, counter surfaces, and personal items with the dangerous bacteria and pathogens they picked up while outdoors. A few of the diseases cockroaches are known to introduce into Moline homes include salmonella, cholera, dysentery, and gastroenteritis.
Cockroach Prevention Tips
To prevent cockroaches from invading your Moline property, it’s important to understand where they are getting in. Common entry points for roaches include gaps in foundations, cracks in exterior walls, holes made for utilities, exposed piping, under doors, and through torn window screens. The next step to avoiding roaches is to know why they invade. Cockroaches infest properties that provide them with water, food sources, and warmth. Keep cockroaches out of your home with these cockroach prevention methods.
Remove moisture from your property by tightening pipes, fixing leaks, and repairing faucets.
Ensure your gutter system is draining water correctly.
Keep your garbage cans sealed and stored away from your exterior walls.
Fill gaps and cracks in your foundation with a caulking gun.
Store pet food in plastic containers.
Install door sweeps.
Replace torn window screens.
Clean your floors and counters regularly.
When you find cockroaches in your Moline home, it can be tempting to run out to the nearest store and buy OTC pesticide products. But many of these chemicals are toxic to humans and animals. And the cockroaches on your property may become resistant to OTC pesticides, which makes these methods useless. For reliable, effective, and advanced methods of cockroach removal and prevention, consider contacting the professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. We are dedicated to providing exactly what you need for a pest-free home. Give us a call today to learn more about our effective home pest control services.