Cockroaches are disgusting, unsanitary pests that no one wants to see crawling around in their kitchen. Nothing spoils an appetite more quickly than opening up the food pantry and seeing cockroaches running for cover. Cockroaches are a common household pest across the globe, and Ogden is no exception.
Cockroach infestations are challenging to get under control once they have taken up residence in your home. It's not a project one should take up on their own. Contacting an Ogden pest control company is suggested for complete cockroach control. Mountain West Pest Control has years of experience treating and preventing cockroaches in homes and businesses.
Habits And Behaviors Of Common Cockroaches
The two most common types of cockroaches you are likely to see in your home in Ogden are Oriental cockroaches and German cockroaches. These dirty pests come into homes to seek three basic needs: food, water, and shelter.
German cockroaches are the most common species worldwide and are the ones you are most likely to encounter in your house. They are approximately ½" – 5/8" long and light brown to tan in color, with two dark, parallel stripes that run down their backs. German cockroaches are extremely fast and difficult to catch. They also have a very flexible exoskeleton and aren't easy to kill.
They love warm and damp environments. Kitchens and bathrooms are typical locations where you'll encounter them, but they live in any room where people eat and store food, such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. This species is not a picky eater and will feast on almost any food that is accessible.
Oriental cockroaches are more of an outdoor critter. They are about one inch in length, shiny reddish-brown to black, and look like beetles. They usually live in sewers, leaf piles, firewood, and other debris in your yard. But they will venture indoors to seek shelter during inclement weather or if the lure of easily found food attracts them. Oriental cockroaches that get indoors live in bathrooms, sinks, basements, and other damp areas of the house.
Why Cockroaches Are Considered A Health Hazard
Cockroaches live and travel in very unsanitary habitats and carry pathogens and bacteria. They spread diseases such as E. coli, salmonella, cholera, and dysentery. As these pests make their way around your home, they contaminate everything in their path. They also leave feces and urine throughout your home, including any food they come into contact with. People susceptible to allergies can also have reactions that can become serious if an infestation is severe enough.
Five Easy Yet Effective Cockroach Prevention Tips
Cockroaches are prolific breeders, great at hiding, and challenging to kill. Getting rid of an infestation is a difficult task. Preventing cockroaches from entering your home is your first line of defense in cockroach control.
Following these tips on how to prevent cockroaches in your Ogden home can go a long way toward avoiding an infestation:
- Reduce compost piles, mounds of rotting leaves, and other rotting organic materials on your property.
- Keep the kitchen floor, counters, and food pantries free of spills and crumbs.
- Store garbage cans outside and cover them with lids.
- Don't leave food packages open or leave pet bowls full of food for long periods.
- Examine windows and doors for a tight fit and seal any cracks, holes, and crevices around your home.
Good housekeeping practices are the key to cockroach prevention. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, they still seem to find their way into your home. A treatment and prevention cockroach control program by a professional pest control company is your best bet to remove them.
The Trick To Total Cockroach Control For Your Home
Calling your local Ogden pest control company is the most effective way to get rid of cockroaches and make sure they don't return. Mountain West Pest Control has highly trained, experienced, and certified technicians that can implement safe and effective cockroach control solutions. Contact us today to learn about our home pest control plans that can fit your needs and budget.