Cockroach Control In Del Rio: A Comprehensive Guide For Homeowners

We get a lot of questions about cockroaches in Del Rio. These pests are far too common. The most common question is simply, "Why are there cockroaches in my house?" The answer is likely to surprise you. Cockroaches are attracted to tight spaces. When a roach sees a crack or gap, it wants to tuck itself inside. One reason for this is that they are top-heavy. Cockroaches have to constantly grip the surface they're on, even if it is the floor. They don't stand on floors and let gravity hold them down. A tight space allows a cockroach to relax. If you understand this relationship between roaches and tight spaces, you'll have a better idea of how to get rid of cockroaches in the house. It has to do with sealing gaps and cracks indoors and out. But this is a difficult process, and many residents look for an easier solution. Unfortunately, cockroach control products rarely provide an easy solution. Join us today as we share all you need to understand about cockroach control in Del Rio. We'll tell you what cockroaches you can expect to find in your home, how the threats they present are linked to roach prevention, and offer up five simple-to-understand cockroach prevention tips. If you'd like to speak to someone directly about your roaches, remember that your Gold Star Exterminators are here. We offer smart solutions for cockroach pest control in Del Rio. We can help!

There are two common cockroach pests in Del Rio. It is likely you know them by name. They are infamous. What you may not know is how to identify them. Let's quickly look at how you can identify cockroaches in general and then examine some specific identifiers for these two common roach pests.

Cockroaches have a few physical characteristics that can help you quickly identify them and distinguish them from other insects, such as beetles which are mostly harmless. As an insect, a cockroach has six legs. These legs have tiny spines on them. They also have two antennas. The antennae of a cockroach are quite long and noticeable. As with all insects, cockroaches have three body parts, but you may have trouble distinguishing them, especially when looking down at a roach crawling on your floor. The wings of a cockroach (if it has wings) cover the division between the thorax and abdomen. To make things even more complicated, the legs of a cockroach come out of the thorax only, but the bottom legs come down far enough to make you think they're coming out of the abdomen when they aren't. Trust us, they have three body parts. At the end of the abdomen, you'll see two appendages called cerci. These are not legs. They are used to detect vibrations and wind currents.   

German cockroaches are recognizable insects when in their adult stage. Most residents know that these roaches have two black lines on their tan bodies and that these lines look like an equal sign. But identification gets tricky when you see a nymph, rather than an adult. The nymphs of German cockroaches may appear entirely black and have a tan coloration that looks like a blotch in the center of the body or a tan line running down the middle of the roach. When it reaches its adult stage and develops wings, the wings will cover the tan coloration in the middle of the roach. But you can see some of it if you look closely at the tops of the wings. German cockroaches are small roaches and newly hatched nymphs are so small they can climb through the small holes of an outlet. 

American cockroaches are recognizable by their large size, chestnut coloration, and yellow symbol on their backs. An American roach is as large as 2 ? inches long. Their nymphs are fairly large as well, being about ¼ the size of the adults. But you may not recognize them as they don't have wings, and they don't have a yellow pattern on the back. Keep this in mind when you see a shiny, chestnut-colored, wingless roach scramble across your floor or zip up your wall at an alarming speed. 

Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature and prefer to stay hidden, even at night. You may not get a chance to actually see a roach until the infestation in your home has grown. We don't recommend waiting to see roaches. It is best to search for warning signs, such as black fecal spotting, black pepper-like droppings, shed skins, oothecae (egg pouches), or damaged paper products.

Cockroaches Trigger Allergies And Spread Disease

If you find a cockroach in your house, what should you do? It is best to contact a pest control service provider. These insects are not only harmful to your health but they are incredibly difficult to control. How bad are they? There are many factors that can make one roach infestation worse than another. Here are a few facts to consider:

• Cockroaches spread bacteria. Unclean environments increase the health risks associated with these pests. Cockroaches are attracted to unsanitary habitats. If you take time to deep clean your home, you will remove one factor that attracts roaches and also guard your family against sickness while you're at it.
• Cockroaches spread parasitic worms. These are found in trash cans, dumpsters, and garbage piles. Storing trash in covered containers, disposing of certain items in sealed bags, removing trash frequently, and keeping receptacles clean are all ways to help mitigate health risks. 
• Cockroaches can spread pathogens as they leave waste inside your home. When you find waste material, it is wise to clean it up. Removing cockroach waste will not only reduce the risk of sickness but it will also remove a smell that will attract more roaches to your home. Wear a mask and protective gloves when cleaning up this material. 
• Cockroaches are linked to an increase in hospitalizations for asthma. The risk factor here is whether or not you have someone in your home with asthma.
• Cockroach control is tricky and frustrating. The reason for this is that roaches have special abilities and complex behavior patterns that help them avoid or survive treatments. The worst of the two cockroach pests we mentioned above are German cockroaches. If you have these insects, there is little or no chance you'll control them unless you have an education in pest control.

The takeaway from the facts provided above is that cockroach prevention and sanitation go hand-in-hand. But sanitation alone will not protect you from roaches that invade your home. It is best to locate the roaches and apply a science-based solution to make sure no cockroaches remain in your home.

Five Simple Yet Effective Cockroach Prevention Tips

If you don't have a cockroach infestation yet, these tips can help you keep it that way. The following prevention tips will help you target the factors that lead to infestations and do something about them before cockroaches are led right into your home. 

Tip 1: Reduce Moisture

No perimeter is going to stay dry all the time. It rains in Del Rio. But moisture problems can lead to continual damp conditions, which will promote cockroach activity. Cleaning gutters and making repairs can help prevent moisture problems.

Tip 2: Remove Damp Hiding Places

Cockroaches hide underneath objects in your yard. They'll get under any object simply to block the sun to prevent it from drying them out. But they are particularly attracted to organic debris because it can trap moisture underneath. 

Tip 3: Remove Attractive Smells

Consider any decaying smells that could attract roaches to your exterior. On the top of the list is trash management, mixing compost properly, and keeping fertilization to a minimum. Roaches are drawn to anything that has a bad odor.

Tip 4: Remove Tight Spaces

Remember how cockroaches like to squeeze into tight spaces? Use a caulking gun to seal gaps around frames. Use expanding foam to fill in holes and voids or to seal gaps around pipes. Apply home repairs to seal exterior doors, patch a cracked foundation, or replace decaying wood. Also, remove piled objects from your yard, such as wood or stones. 

Tip 5: Trim Grass And Landscaping

A yard with tall grass, weeds, and overgrowth will attract cockroaches. Yard work helps to keep roaches at bay.

These all-natural steps can be performed by anyone. All that is required is a bit of muscle and the determination to keep cockroaches out. No harmful over-the-counter cockroach pest control products are needed.

Call The Professionals For Total Cockroach Elimination

When you need home pest control in Del Rio, contact a professional. A licensed technician will perform an inspection and evaluate your infestation, apply several products to eliminate roaches in your home, pest-proof key areas, and follow up to make sure the job is done. There are many steps, pitfalls to avoid, and strict safety guidelines. If you're in Del Rio, contact Gold Star Exterminators for cockroach control you can trust.

We can also help if you don't have a roach infestation yet. Our recurring general pest control helps keep a long list of pests out of your home, including roaches. We take care of all the potentially harmful pests that commonly get into Del Rio homes, such as spiders, wasps, scorpions, roaches, and more. Connect with us today to schedule service.

Gold Star has been spraying our house for a few years now and I can't express how much it has helped.  I was spraying Demon WD myself and barely made an impact on the scorpions and spiders.  after they started doing it, we have very few sightings now.  Great company.

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