We’re halfway through the warmth of our Washington summer, and we’ve all got important and fun plans. But this is also the time when nature has its own plans. It’s in these peak summer months that homeowners might get an unwelcome surprise from scavenging brown-banded cockroaches. Prosite provides effective pest control in Kittitas County to protect your home from pests like brown-banded cockroaches.
What Do Brown-Banded Cockroaches Look Like?
These foraging insects are a notorious nuisance in the summer months. The very sight of one of them makes the skin crawl, and seeing one can definitely indicate the presence of many others. Brown-banded cockroaches:
- Are flat-bodied
- Have two long, twitching antennae
- Have six jointed legs
- Have a yellow or light-brown blotch or band right behind the head
The males are capable of flying with their wings. Females don’t have wings and their bodies are wider. Certain characteristics of cockroaches make them hard to find. They tend to forage at night and hide in dark, hidden locations like behind appliances, in drains, and along cracks.
Are Brown-Banded Cockroaches Dangerous?
Brown-banded cockroaches have a high potential of endangering you and your family. The more of them in your house, the more likely you are to experience problems. Dangers include:
- Spreading bacteria that cause disease
- Causing gastroenteritis and diarrhea
- Triggering allergies
- Contamination of food
- Irritation from bites
These insects can bite, but it is a rare occurrence. Bites will cause lesions or irritation. The main dangers are the bacteria they carry around because of their propensity to live in filthy areas. They aren’t scrupulous with their diet nor where they go to find their food, so they’re prone to picking up bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in their relentless scuttling, which can contaminate food and surfaces.
Signs of cockroach infestation aren’t always obvious, so if you've found one cockroach in your apartment or home, it’s best to assume the worst for your own safety.
Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Brown-Banded Roaches In Homes?
All types of cockroaches are infamously stubborn pests. They are difficult to get rid of for several reasons, including:
- They live in various hidden locations.
- They are highly social and nest together.
- They reproduce quickly.
- They can survive in extreme conditions.
Due to their flat bodies, they can secure themselves in the most furtive places. Cracks, drains, and networks of nooks within the house allow them to quickly access different areas without being detected. If they find food, warmth, or moisture, they are quick to invite their friends.
Females lay can lay 16 eggs a month for ten months. Formidable populations develop when you multiply this by the many cockroaches hiding in your walls, floors, appliances, and drains. Finding every cockroach egg sac in your home is near impossible, and they can take 37 to 103 days to hatch. This could perpetuate a cockroach nest you thought you’d eliminated.
These pests are survivors. They can persist through a lot of pest control efforts if not administered correctly. At Prosite, we know it isn’t enough to see a few dead cockroaches. The infestation can be much larger than homeowners initially assume.
Total Cockroach Control For Kittitas County Residents
DIY methods won’t cut it with most cockroach infestations. Houses provide ample opportunity to infest, and one group of cockroaches might not be lured in like others. Cockroach control professionals know where to look and how to eradicate an entire infestation with careful consideration and knowledge about these pests.
At Prosite, we pride ourselves on our technological and scientific expertise with any pest the central Washington area has to throw at you. We tailor our thorough repertoire of pest-fighting methods to any customer need, upholding our responsibility to the community and environment during any service. Contact us if you’re facing an infestation of any kind.