Cockroach

One of the most well-known house pests is the ever-so-popular and ever-so-present cockroach. There are more than 3,500 species that infest kitchens, restaurants, hotels, and any place with excessive food and moisture. Adult cockroaches vary in color from red, black, or brown depending on the species. Cockroaches are medium to large insects (1/2 - 2 inches long, depending on species) and are very active at night, scattering when exposed to bright light and making them harder to find. Roaches must shed their skin, causing them to become a white color for a few hours until they return to their normal complexion. They reproduce at an extremely fast rate and is not unusual for them to produce thousands of offspring a year.

The American cockroach is not native to the area, but speculation suggests that they have migrated from Africa as early as the 1600s. In the southeast, the most popular variation of the cockroach is the Palmetto bug. This Palmetto Bug is one of two roach types; the most common, the American winged cockroach, or the mahogany-colored smoky-brown cockroach.

While pretty much everyone has had a run-in with a cockroach, it is hard to know what to do with them. They have stayed around so long because they are one of the most adaptable and resilient species on the planet. There is evidence that they can live up to a week without their heads and even survive severe radiation.

You might be asking what the average homeowner can do to protect their home from these pests. First, eliminate small openings in your home where cockroaches can enter. Furthermore, cockroaches are attracted to a mess. By keeping a clean and tidy home, you can prevent potential roach infestations in the future. Your best bet? Pest control services from a pest control company like Palmetto Exterminators.

If you are experiencing a cockroach infestation, call a pest control professional as soon as possible - let Palmetto Exterminators help you.

Similar Pests: Roaches, German Cockroach