Where Do Cockroaches Come From? And Other Cockroach FAQs

Cockroach infestations are a common and unsanitary problem in many urban homes in the United States. These pests can live, feed, and reproduce in your home, and you may not even realize it. Their pheromones can attract more cockroaches, worsening the problem if left untreated. Cockroaches spread disease-causing pathogens and cause allergic reactions. Learn more about the dangers of cockroaches below.

According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), cockroaches are one of the most common insect pests in the U.S., with an estimated one in five homes experiencing a cockroach infestation at some point.

Top Roach FAQs

Finding a cockroach nest can be unsettling, and you may have an immediate desire to eliminate them. However, using too much insect spray or bait can worsen the problem.

Where do cockroaches come from?

Cockroaches can easily access your home by hitchhiking in your grocery bags, luggage, or backpacks. They can also enter through drains, sewers, plumbing voids, air vents and shafts, foundation cracks, utility lines, and even walls shared with neighboring properties.

What attracts cockroaches at home?

Cockroaches enter homes for three basic needs: food, moisture, and warmth.

• Food: The german cockroach can survive for up to 30 days on a single meal. All cockroach species eat almost anything, including rotting food, garbage, and even soap or toothpaste. So don’t leave dirty dishes around.
• Moisture: Cockroaches are resilient pests and can survive for up to seven days without moisture, subsisting on sources such as the glue from postage stamps.
• Warmth: Cockroaches reproduce quickly in warm, humid conditions, regardless of the weather. They thrive in temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the main cause of roach infestations?

Cockroaches thrive in homes that they can access with the building blocks they need to survive. If your home is surrounded by other infestations, then you’re probably next. 

What keeps roaches away?

• Clean your house and surrounding areas, including your garage.
• Plug all potential entry points, such as crevices, utility lines, and foundation cracks.
• Declutter and organize your storage areas to eliminate potential hiding places.
• Repair any leaky faucets or pipes to eliminate sources of moisture.
• Cover all food sources, including pet food, to prevent cockroaches from finding an easy meal and also from getting a form of roach food poisoning.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches consume various materials, including feces, and can carry harmful pathogens. Due to their quick movement, they quickly spread germs through their droppings, saliva, and body parts.

This cross-contamination can cause severe allergic reactions and lead to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid. All of the most common indoor roaches like German cockroaches, oriental cockroaches, brown banded cockroaches, and American cockroaches all carry disease.

Steps for Managing an Infestation

If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your home, it’s essential to take prompt action to get rid of roaches.

Cockroaches threaten not only your physical health but also your emotional and psychological well-being. Seeing a roach nest in your home can cause anxiety and fear, especially for those living with children or elderly family members.

However, it’s important to stay informed and educated about the real risks posed by these pests to manage your reaction and take appropriate action.

Step One: Remove roach attractors

You can remove roach attractors from your home with these simple steps. Though, they may not be as effective as bringing in a pest control professional.

Clean

It’s important to maintain a regular cleaning schedule and stay vigilant about potential entry points for cockroaches to prevent a roach infestation. Keep dirty dishes to a minimum. This includes keeping food sources sealed and store food in airtight containers, fixing leaks and moisture issues. Regularly inspect boiler rooms and crawl spaces sealing cracks or crevices from which the cockroaches can enter.

Checking cardboard boxes where cockroaches hide will also help manage your cockroach problem.

Seal holes

It’s important to note that cockroaches can also be brought into the home with items such as grocery bags, boxes, and used furniture. Regularly inspecting and cleaning these items before bringing them into your home can also help prevent an infestation.

Remove hiding spots

It’s important to remember that cockroaches are resilient pests that can be difficult to eliminate. Regular cleaning and maintenance and identifying and sealing entry points can help prevent infestations. If an infestation occurs, professional help is recommended for a thorough and effective extermination.

Step Two: Call A Professional

It’s important to take immediate action when you spot cockroaches in your home, as they reproduce quickly and can establish colonies in other areas of your home. A professional exterminator can provide effective, long-lasting solutions to eliminate these pests. Don’t wait. Take action as soon as you spot the indoor pests.

Budget Brothers: Professional Pest Exterminators

If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your home or business, don’t wait! Call Budget Brothers today. Our team of experts will conduct a thorough inspection of your property and develop a customized plan to eliminate these pesky pests. 

Don’t let cockroaches take over your space; take action now and call Budget Brothers for a solution that works.