Is DIY Cockroach Control Hard To Execute In Western Massachusetts?

No one wants to have cockroaches in their home, but it cost money to have a licensed professional deal with roaches. So, some people turn to cockroach control products to wipe these pests out. If you take this route, you're likely to see, as most people do, that DIY cockroach control is hard! But why is it so hard? Today, we're going to provide you with an overview of cockroaches and cockroach pest control in Western Massachusetts. We'll tell what roaches get into our homes and what they eat. Why is it important to know what they eat? Because it directly relates to cockroach control and the health implications of having these insects in your home. Once we look at cockroach traits and how these connect with effective prevention and control methods, we'll look at how roach products fall short. If you've been dealing with roaches, and you want some relief, you don't have to read an article about cockroach control to solve your problem. We have friendly and knowledgeable technicians that can help. American Pest Solutions provides smart and effective cockroach pest control in Western Massachusetts. We can steer you in the right direction. 

How to Identify A Cockroach

The first step in cockroach control is roach identification. Why? Because roaches act differently. In our Western Massachusetts service area, we have four common roach pests. If you understand how they differ, you'll know a little about how to get rid of cockroaches naturally. You won't need any control products.

American Cockroaches: These are large, brown roaches. On its back, an American cockroach has a yellowish marking that somewhat resembles a figure eight. If you see these big roaches in your home, take some comfort in knowing that they prefer environments that are humid or damp. Investing in a dehumidifier may drive these roaches out of your home.

Oriental Cockroaches: These roaches are entirely black. They look almost armored because they don't have fully developed wings. These are incredibly dirty cockroaches. If you keep your home clean and address dirty trash receptacles and other exterior sources of decay, you can drive these roaches away.

Wood Cockroaches: These are the only roaches listed here that prefer daytime activity. If you see roaches crawling around, it is likely that these are the roaches you're seeing. Wood roaches don't prefer to live in your home because their desired environment is outside. They won't find their preferred food sources indoors. Therefore, pest-proofing will go a long way toward addressing these pests.

German Cockroaches: These are the worst. Just the worst. If you check out our cockroach pest control resources, you'll see that these are the roaches we talk about almost exclusively. The reason German cockroaches are so bad is that they love living indoors and they have adapted physically to dwelling with humans, which includes developing a resistance to control materials and an aversion to certain baits. If you find these roaches in your home, contact American Pest Solutions for a German cockroach treatment.     

When we discuss DIY cockroach control with residents, we emphasize sanitation, moisture control, and pest-proofing. These all-natural solutions don't require specialized knowledge of cockroaches or the products used to control them. They also work to reduce the risks associated with roaches. Let's take a quick look at these risk factors. 

How Dangerous Is It To Have Cockroaches In My House?

There are a few ways roaches impact human health. Sanitation is the secret weapon to help you guard your health, while also deterring cockroaches. As you consider rolling your sleeves up, use these tips as inspiration.

• Roaches find food sources in trash receptacles and can also breed in your trash. Keep your trash covered to deter roaches. Doing so will prevent cockroaches from quickly moving between your trash and surfaces you expect to remain clean, such as dishes, silverware, shelves, counters, and cutting boards.
• Roaches feed on dead skin, hair, and feces. Keep your bathroom clean. If you do, you'll make this zone less attractive and prevent roaches from picking up harmful germs. A cockroach can run five feet in one second. It doesn't take a roach long to get from your bathroom to your kitchen.
• Roaches shed their skins and leave fecal matter as they explore. These materials can make you sick, and also cause asthma symptoms to worsen. A recent study showed an alarming increase in hospitalizations for people with asthma from cockroach-infested homes. Removing these materials also removes an attractant. Roaches are drawn to the scent of other cockroaches, particularly cockroach excrement.

Sanitation provides some protection from these dangers. But a growing roach population in your home will increase the risks, no matter what you do. If you clean your home, address humidity, and seal your exterior, and cockroaches still continue to appear indoors, contact us for assistance.   

Why Do-It-Yourself Cockroach Control Often Fails

The reasons cockroach control products fail to achieve results are many and surprising. We're going to zero in on a few of the most important reasons. If you've never looked up cockroach facts, get ready to be amazed.

Genetic Resistance: If you've ever sprayed a cockroach and watched it walk away, you've seen an example of genetic resistance. How can roaches do this? It begins with a strong, nymph cockroach that walks on a treated surface. If the roach survives, it sheds its skin and grows a new one. The new skin will have properties that protect the cockroach from future exposure. The alteration is genetic. When that roach mates and produces more roaches, they are born with a resistance to the material. You can create resistant roaches in your home by misapplying control materials. You may also have a cockroach population that is already immune.

Bait Aversion: Cockroaches work together to avoid food sources that are harmful. That is saying something when these pests eat some of the grossest things imaginable. But cockroaches can survive exposure to roach bait. Unfortunately, they're able to learn from each other and avoid the bait. Moreover, they have the ability to genetically alter their taste receptors so that food is no longer desirable to their offspring. Some German cockroach populations are born with bait aversion.

Treatment Avoidance: Cockroaches give off a death stench when they die. The odor is detectable to other roaches, and they will avoid areas where treatments have had success eliminating them. They also avoid powdered surfaces, so treatments that are powdery won't have an impact on roaches. Why do they avoid powder? Because they cling to the surfaces they walk on, even the floor. If they don't, they'll topple over onto their backs. Sometimes they do this and can't flip themselves back over. It is why you may find a random roach on its back in a home that has no pest control at all.

Falling Short: Some cockroach treatments have a little success but fall short. One reason is that only one method was used. A roach control treatment needs a multi-pronged approach. For example, you can apply great roach control in your home, but if you don't seal entry points and treat the exterior, outdoor roaches can come inside and replace the roaches you've dealt with already.    

There is much more we could share on this topic, but these are the critical facts you need to know if you're considering over-the-counter products. DIY cockroach control requires training and experience.

Professional Cockroach Control Is The Way To Go For Your Home

It is always best to have a licensed technician address a cockroach infestation. If you're in Western Massachusetts, contact American Pest Solutions. We use trusted materials and a multi-pronged strategy that begins with a professional inspection. Your technician is qualified to evaluate the conditions in your home, track roach activity, catalog conducive conditions, and create a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Your technician will share the findings with you, listen closely to your concerns, and help you decide what to do about the roaches in your home. Once you've decided, we'll guide you every step of the way. There will be prep work. You'll need to leave the treatment area. You'll need to know when you can return. You don't have to think about any of it. We've done a lot of cockroach treatments. American Pest Solutions was founded in 1913 and we continue advancing in our ability to provide effective control solutions and superior service.

Are you struggling with roaches in Western Massachusetts? Would you like to never have to worry about roaches? In either case, contact us. It's easy. Jump to our contact page, fill out the short form, and tell us a bit about your roach control issue. We also provide a simple image upload option so you can take a picture of your pest, or evidence you've found, and send it to us. We can identify the pest or give you insights as to what you're seeing in a contaminated area. It is a great way to get off on the right foot. Connect with us today.