Cockroach Control in Raleigh

Filthy, off-putting, evasive, and annoying—cockroaches are just a few of the less-than-flattering words most of us use to describe the universally dreaded cockroach. If you spot these pests in your home, it might be time to call the cockroach control specialists at Stomp Pest Control. 

The Complicated Cockroach

Much like ants, cockroaches have important ecological purposes. Because they tend to feed on decaying organic matter, their feces is chock full of nitrogen. That nitrogen is eventually used by soil and plant life, both of which need the element to stay healthy. These critters have also been known to help clean up dead organisms, contributing to natural decomposition.

No matter how many ecological benefits they bring, however, we understand that seeing a cockroach skitter by is cause for alarm for homeowners, not gratitude—and for good reason.

Problems Posed by Roaches

Reproduction Leads to Infestations

Cockroaches are prolific breeders. They lay egg cases containing multiple cockroach nymphs, allowing populations to grow quickly. Once established, they can be very difficult to get rid of, as they hide in cracks and crevices, wall voids, and other hard-to-reach areas. The rapid reproduction means a small cockroach problem can quickly turn into a full-blown roach infestation.

Disease Carriers

Cockroaches can carry and spread a variety of harmful pathogens, bacteria, and viruses, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. They pick up these germs while crawling through unsanitary areas like sewers, drains, and trash, and then contaminate food, countertops, and other surfaces in your home.

Allergies and Asthma

Cockroach droppings, saliva, shed skins, and body parts can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially children. The allergens they produce can exacerbate asthma symptoms, making them a serious health hazard in homes, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Food Contamination

Cockroaches are scavengers that eat almost anything, including decaying organic matter and household items like food scraps, glue, and paper. In their search for food, they can contaminate your food and utensils with their saliva, droppings, and harmful pathogens. This contamination can lead to food poisoning and other gastrointestinal illnesses.

Reproduction Leads to Infestations

Cockroaches are prolific breeders that can live up to 10 months. They lay egg cases containing multiple cockroach nymphs, allowing populations to grow quickly. Once established, they can be very difficult to get rid of, as they hide in cracks and crevices, wall voids, and other hard-to-reach areas. The rapid reproduction means a small cockroach problem can quickly turn into a full-blown roach infestation.

Professional Cockroach Control for Homes and Businesses

If you’re dealing with a cockroach problem, the best way to get rid of cockroaches is through professional intervention. Cockroach infestations can be challenging to manage on your own. Common household remedies, like baking soda and boric acid, can help in small cases, but larger infestations require a more robust solution.

Stomp Pest Control offers comprehensive cockroach control and extermination services in Raleigh and surrounding areas. We can help eliminate cockroach infestations and prevent them from recurring.

Let’s take a look at a few of the roaches that tend to be found in North Carolina homes, and how they can be prevented and treated.

Types of Roaches We Treat

American Roaches

• How big is an American cockroach? Generally 1 1/4 – 2 1/8 inches long.
• What is the scientific name of American Cockroaches? Periplaneta americana (L.).
• What are other names for an American cockroach? Commonly referred to as a water bug, Bombay canary, or palmetto bug.
• Is a palmetto bug the same as a cockroach? Yes, a palmetto bug is another name for a cockroach.
• What does an American cockroach look like? American cockroaches are oval-shaped, equipped with 6 legs, and have no antenna. They are reddish brown in color with a yellow band outlining their head area. Both males and females are equipped with wings and are able to fly short distances.

American Cockroach Facts

• The American cockroach is the largest species of cockroach.
• American cockroaches are found throughout the world.
• They are known to live up to one year, and sometimes even longer. 
• American cockroaches have been known to bite, but rarely do.
• They leave behind distinct droppings that are blunt on the ends with side ridges, often mistaken for mouse droppings.
• They are notorious for leaving egg capsules behind, often near their sources of food.
• These cockroaches produce a pheromone that is often described as having a ‘musty’ smell.
• Known to live primarily outdoors, they are commonly found near sewers and drains.
• During a food shortage or significant change in climate, these cockroaches have been known to move indoors.
• Females lay at least one egg capsule per week, consisting of approximately 16 eggs. They can lay anywhere from 10-90 egg capsules throughout their lifetime.
• Commonly used treatments include gel, granular bait, residual insecticides, and growth regulators.

American Cockroach Control Tips

• Removing leaf clutter, brush piles, and other landscaping materials from the close vicinity of your home or building
• Vacuuming as often as possible to lessen the chances of eggs hatching
• Ensuring all gaps, cracks, and openings are sealed around doors and windows
• Ensuring all moisture-damaged wooden areas of your home or building are appropriately repaired
• Maintaining clean gutters, downspouts of debris, and garbage cans  (it is recommended to keep your garbage can(s) at least 30 feet from your home or building
• Ensuring  human and pets’ food areas are well-maintained

Oriental Cockroaches

• How big is an Oriental cockroach? Typically 1 inch long.
• What is the scientific name of Oriental cockroaches? Blatta orientalis
• What are other names for Oriental cockroaches? Often referred to as water bugs or black beetle cockroaches.
• What does an Oriental cockroach look like? Oriental cockroaches are glossy dark brown or black in color, oval-shaped, and are equipped with 6 legs and 2 antennas. Females are slightly larger than males when grown. Both male and females have functionless wings.

Oriental Cockroach Facts

• The Oriental cockroach is commonly found in the Northern regions of the United States.
• They are resilient enough to survive outdoors during freezing temperatures for weeks at a time.
• This species of cockroach, like others, is well-known for feeding on dirty and unsanitary food, such as decaying organic matter, which means they’re easily able to transport germs
• They are commonly found in sewage areas, in firewood piles, and in landscaped areas such as mulch and stone.
• Known to enter structures under glass sliding doors, along with utility pipes, and through floor drains.
• After entering homes or buildings, these cockroaches are almost always found in basements and crawl spaces.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

• ??How big is a brown-banded cockroach? Typically 1/2 inch long.
• What is the scientific name of brown-banded cockroaches? Supella longipalpa.
• What does a brown-banded cockroach look like? These cockroaches can easily be identified by two light brown bands across their bodies, which is where their name originates from. They can vary in color from dark brown to tan, but all will have 6 legs and 2 antennas. Males are equipped with wings that reach beyond their abdomen, and females have underdeveloped wings that prohibit them from flying.

Brown-Banded Cockroach Facts

• They have lifespans of roughly 200 days, give or take.
• Brown-banded cockroaches can be found throughout the United States.
• These roaches tend to prefer dry locations and environments with temperatures over 80 degrees.
• They are known to hide their egg cases in or around furniture.
• They tend to prefer higher areas when compared to other species of cockroaches, such as kitchen cabinets.
• Known to spread dozens of kinds of bacteria, as well as numerous parasitic worms and human pathogens, and can trigger asthma attacks in children.

Brown-Banded Cockroach Control Tips

• Keep food sealed in airtight containers, clean up spills and crumbs immediately, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
• Brown-banded cockroaches love to hide in small spaces, so seal any cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and baseboards to limit their hiding places.
• Place gel baits or bait stations near where you’ve seen activity. These baits contain slow-acting poisons that cockroaches will take back to their nests, helping eliminate the colony.

German Cockroaches

• ??How big is a German cockroach? Typically 1/2-5/8? long.
• What is the scientific name of German Cockroaches? Blattella germanica (Linnaeus).
• What does a German cockroach look like? This species of cockroach will be light brown to tan in color, with two dark stripes located behind their heads. Their oval-shaped and narrow bodies are equipped with 2 long antennas—some of the longest antennas of all cockroach species.

German Cockroach Facts

• German cockroaches are considered prolific breeders, which can quickly become an infestation.
• They are known to fit through openings as small as 3/8? wide.
• This species can be found throughout the United States
• They feed on household items such as hand soap, toothpaste, and even glue.
• German cockroaches have been known to travel in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, hats, etc.
• They prefer humid and warm climates.
• In the household, most commonly found in kitchen environments and bathrooms.
• Known to implicate allergic outbreaks, cause allergic reactions, and worsen already-existing asthma attacks
• Notorious for picking up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies

German Cockroach Control Tips

• Keep food in sealed containers, clean up spills and crumbs promptly, and avoid leaving pet food out.
• Close gaps, cracks, and crevices around doors, windows, and pipes to block hiding spots.
• Place gel baits and traps in areas where you’ve seen activity to target the nest.
• Consider calling pest control professionals for more extensive infestations or recurring issues.

The Stomp Difference

Many people assume that all Raleigh area roach pest control companies are the same.  This is not true. Stomp Pest Control was created with the customer in mind. Find out more about what makes us different.

Do You Have a Cockroach Infestation?

Besides visibly seeing cockroaches in your home, some warning signs could signal you have pests lurking around before you actually see one. Here are 5 signs you may have a roach problem.

Roach Droppings

A huge red flag that you have cockroaches is the droppings they leave behind. They tend to leave behind tiny, pepper-like droppings that look like coffee grounds. These are very small, usually less than 1mm wide, so they can be difficult to spot.

Smear Marks

Check your walls for dark, irregular smears because cockroaches tend to leave streaks behind. You’ll find these in spots where they are most active.

Roach Eggs

If you have a cockroach infestation, you’re bound to find egg capsules left in hidden areas or near food sources. These are small, oblong, and typically brown, reddish-brown, or dark in color. Roach eggs look like tiny capsules or beans, with a smooth or slightly ridged surface. Depending on the species, the size can vary from about 5 to 10 millimeters in length. These egg cases can contain anywhere from 16 to 50 eggs, depending on the species.

Shedding Skin

Cockroaches shed throughout their life stages, typically between 5-8 times before they become adults. These cockroach skins are pale, translucent, and usually lighter in color than the live cockroach. They are typically thin and brittle, resembling the shape of the cockroach but hollow.

You’ll commonly find them in hiding places like cracks and crevices, under furniture, in kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere cockroaches are active. The presence of these skins is often a sign of an infestation.

Property Damage

Cockroaches aren’t shy about nibbling on anything around your house. This can lead to visible damage. Look around for chew marks on food packaging as well as damage to other materials around your home.

What Causes Cockroach Problems

Clutter

Cockroaches like to hide out, so the more cluttered your home is, the more space they have to hide without being found.

Organize Clutter in the Following Areas

• Stacks of newspapers or magazines: Cockroaches like to hide in paper piles.
• Boxes in storage areas: Cardboard boxes, especially in basements or garages, provide warmth and hiding spaces.
• Closets or drawers with unused clothes: Piles of old clothes offer dark, warm hiding places.
• Under kitchen appliances: Crumbs and food scraps under stoves, refrigerators, or dishwashers attract them.
• Cabinets filled with food containers or bags: Cluttered cabinets with food remnants can be a breeding ground.
• Storage rooms or basements: Filled with unused items, boxes, and clutter, these areas are ideal for cockroaches.
• Attics filled with old furniture or insulation: Dark, undisturbed areas are prime hiding spots.
• Behind piles of cluttered furniture: These hidden spaces are perfect for roaches to hide and breed.

Leftover Food and Grime

Crumbs, spills, and food can lure cockroaches into your home. After cooking or making a snack, clean up any spills or crumbs. You should also keep up with dishes so there is no dirt and food left behind.

Trash

Cockroaches are attracted to the food scraps and scents in your trash can, so taking your trash out regularly can help avoid a roach problem. If you can keep them clean and wipe them down with a disinfectant, roaches may be less likely to seek them out. 

How to Prevent Roach Infestations

Cockroach control involves maintaining cleanliness and minimizing potential food and water sources. Here are some tips:

Seal Cracks and Crevices

Cockroach control includes ensuring all gaps and openings around windows, doors, and wall voids are sealed.

Maintain Cleanliness

Regularly vacuum and sweep floors, and clean areas where food scraps may accumulate, including under appliances and pet food areas.

Reduce Clutter

Cockroach control includes hiding places by decluttering areas where cockroaches can take shelter, such as picture frames and storage areas.

Proper Food Storage

Store food in sealed containers and promptly clean up any spills or crumbs.

Get a Free Quote on Cockroach Control in Raleigh

Cockroaches reproduce quickly and subtly, making it difficult to completely eradicate them. If you want to prevent an infestation, reduce the adult cockroach population, form a protective barrier around your property, and get peace of mind both outside and inside your home, contact Stomp Pest Control for cockroach control and extermination today by calling (919) 231-3292 or fill out the form below.