Cockroaches are formidable little creatures that are known to have existed for millions of years. Cockroaches enter homes and businesses through vents, damaged window screens, cracks, and even boxes delivered to your door. Your home and business are the ideal breeding ground because they contain everything that a cockroach needs to survive including food, water, warmth and places to establish a nest. Cockroaches have the ability to remain active all year round and can reproduce in large numbers. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so for every cockroach you see there are many more cockroaches hiding. If you see cockroaches during the day, it could mean that they have been forced out due to overcrowded conditions. Overcrowding is a good indication that you have a severe infestation that should be taken care of immediately by your Animal Pest Management professional. Cockroaches have the ability to spread disease including gastroenteritis and salmonella when they contaminate food and food preparation surfaces.
Types of Cockroaches found in Southern California
American Cockroach: The American cockroach is typically 1½ inches long and is known to be one of the largest cockroach species to infest homes and businesses in Nevada. The American cockroach is reddish brown in color and can be easily identified by both its size and yellow marking behind its head. When disturbed, the adult American cockroach will either run or fly to avoid capture. Juvenile cockroaches have the same markings as the adults but they are wingless and unable to fly.
German Cockroach: German cockroaches are generally light brown in color with two dark stripes behind the head. Adults can reach a length of 5/8 of an inch. The German cockroach is one of the most common species of cockroaches found in homes and businesses in the Southern California area. The German cockroach is renowned for being one of the most notorious culprits when it comes to residential infestations. The diet of the German cockroach consists of all types of foods and the cockroach has been known to hitchhike into homes and businesses in grocery bags, used books, and items of second-hand furniture.
Oriental Cockroach: Oriental cockroaches are often referred to as water bugs and are approximately 1 to 1 ¼ inches in length. They have a shiny appearance that is dark brown to black in color. Although they have wings, they are incapable of flight. The oriental cockroach lives outside during the warmer months and will migrate in large numbers into homes and business during the cooler months looking for warmth, food, and sources of water.
Cockroach Inspections, Control, Removal, Exclusion & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
Other species of cockroaches found in Southern California include: the Smokey Brown Cockroach and Turkestan Cockroach, which can be found around piles of decaying leaves and other forms of decaying vegetation as well as the Brown-Banded Cockroach which is one of the smallest cockroaches found in homes and businesses in Southern California. For more information on cockroach control, eradication and maintenance programs, contact the knowledgeable professionals at Animal Pest Management today.
