Cockroaches 101
Most cockroach species live in wooded habitats and are rarely seen. Phew! But a few species are major pests, and the best way to tell them apart is their size. German cockroaches are small and light brown with two black stripes on their backs. Larger cockroach species are dark brown with developed wings and are often called “palmetto bugs,” especially in South Carolina.
German cockroaches have adapted to living with humans for so long that they are now only found indoors. They like to live in warm, dark areas near moisture, including cracks and voids around kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as around or inside appliances. Palmetto bugs prefer similar environments outdoors, but will wander inside. (Not good.) Cockroaches will eat just about anything humans eat.
COCKROACHES
FUN FACTS
FACT 1
Cockroaches have been around for almost 350 million years!
FACT 2
Cockroaches can live up to two weeks without their heads!
FACT 3
Cockroaches will eat almost anything, including each other if food is scarce! Yikes!
Stop Cockroaches From Killing Your Vibe
Aside from being downright icky, cockroaches are a health and safety issue. They can spread bacteria and trigger allergies and asthma. They will also contaminate any food, utensils, and surfaces they crawl on. Sick! Literally!
Infestations can start when cockroaches come inside the home. Sometimes this is hard to avoid, but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent cockroaches from sticking around.
- Keep the inside and outside of your home clean, dry, and uncluttered.
- Don’t leave food (including pet food) sitting out too long, and don’t let trash accumulate inside.
- Regularly clean appliances and countertops.
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture on a regular basis to remove food debris.
- Eliminate moisture issues outside, like standing water, clogged gutters, or excessive amounts of mulch, pine straw, or leaf litter.
- Keep bushes and tree limbs trimmed back from the house.
- Store firewood away from the home, and eliminate as much clutter and debris as possible from around the foundation.
- Turn off unnecessary lights at night.
- Make sure screens on windows, doors, and vents are in good condition and seal up holes surrounding pipes in the foundation wall.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Cockroach Customer Story Video
Palmetto Bugs Ride-Along Video
