Cockroach Control  - Exterminators - Removal

Cockroaches are oval, flat, insects that range from around 15 mm to 40 mm in length by species. These are the main identifiers of cockroaches:

1. Roaches have six long legs equipped with pads that allow them to walk on walls, ceilings, and other inverted platforms.
2. Female cockroaches are larger than males. Certain species of cockroaches have winged males.
3. Roach nymphs are of a lighter color than adult roaches. They will shed their exoskeleton several times before maturing into adults.
4. Different species of cockroaches have slight variations in appearance: American roaches are reddish-brown and larger than other kinds of cockroaches. German roaches are nearly twice as small as American roaches and are of a darker brown color. Oriental roaches are nearly black in color and are also on the larger side.

Cockroaches are omnivores that are known to feed on all sorts of organic material. They are known to prefer three kinds of food: sweets, starches, and animal proteins. Roaches especially love anything that is greasy or fermented. If these options are unavailable to them, they will go as far as to eat book bindings, paper, glue, and other dead insects.

Cockroaches find their way into homes in the Knoxville TN area in a few different manners:

1. Cracks and crevices. Like many other kinds of pests, roaches make their way indoors from your yard by squeezing through openings around your doors and windows. 
2. Plumbing fixtures. An especially common occurrence in multi-family housing, roaches are sometimes found moving from unit to unit through plumbing systems. This is often seen with Oriental cockroaches.
3. Groceries. German and brown-banded roaches are the most common kind of cockroach found in grocery bags. They can easily sneak into your home from an infested environment without your knowledge.
4. Sewers or drains. Similar to plumbing, sewer systems are a common avenue for American cockroaches to infest homes through. Use steel wool or screens to block off gaps that they would be able to crawl through.

While this rarely occurs, cockroaches are able to bite. Roaches are usually uninterested in humans and will leave us alone. If a bite occurs, this means that the population of cockroaches has grown too large for its food sources. A cockroach bite will likely occur at night on your face, hands, or fingers. It will look like a bed bug bite, but typically only one bump will show up.

Cockroaches like to hide out in dark, damp environments. Here’s how their living habits differ by species:

1. American cockroaches are often found in homes and restaurants, as they love feeding on human food. They are most typically found in basements, laundry rooms, and in close proximity to pipes, heaters, and drains.
2. German cockroaches are a widely-found indoor roach, especially in multi-family housing complexes. They like to live in dark and humid environments like kitchens, cabinets, and bathrooms.
3. Oriental roaches are often found outside in cool, damp environments. They will hide under patio bricks, woodchips, mulch, and sidewalks. They’re also found in plumbing and drainage systems.

Yes, it is possible to contract an illness from a cockroach infestation. Roaches carry germs and bacteria that can contaminate food and surfaces in your home. When cockroaches make your pantry their food source, you can easily become sick.

Roaches can also trigger allergies in some people. Roach droppings, skin, and saliva have all been found to contain particles that can trigger allergic reactions.

Although many species of cockroaches can fly, not all of them have this ability. Additionally, the ones that are capable of flight are weak fliers and don’t often use this tactic to their advantage. The American cockroach, one of the most common roaches in our area, will glide from a higher elevation to a lower one using its wings. In general, roaches are found scuttling around on their long legs.

Cockroaches are one of the most resilient creatures on the planet. That being said, any animal, insect or not, will die if they cannot find a proper source of food and water. Keeping a tidy kitchen and a neat home will prevent them from hanging around your home for long, if at all.