What To Do About Cockroaches I Find In My Western Massachusetts Home

Ever turn on the bathroom light and find cockroaches scurrying back into the corners? Or head to the kitchen for a late-night snack and find roaches racing back under your appliances? Cockroaches are an unpleasant surprise for any Western Massachusetts homeowner, but what should you do if you find them in your home?

Here’s what local residents should know about identifying cockroaches, why these pests are dangerous, when you should call pest control in Western Massachusetts, and how to keep cockroaches permanently out of your home.

How To Identify Cockroaches In Western Massachusetts

You may not want to get close enough to identify the cockroach in your Western Massachusetts home, but not all roaches look (or act) the same. Some of the most common types of cockroaches you may encounter in your Western Massachusetts home or other parts of New England include:

• German cockroaches: This may be one of the smallest species of cockroaches, but German roaches are also the most common type of house-infesting roach. These critters grow less than an inch in length and can usually be recognized by the dark, parallel streaks that run across the back of their bodies. It’s not unusual for German cockroaches to infest homes, especially during the winter.

• Oriental cockroaches: Oriental cockroaches can grow more than an inch long, and have dark, glossy bodies that are oily to the touch. These roaches do have wings but are unable to fly and tend to hang out in sewers, drains, or other damp places because they need high moisture.

• American cockroaches: American cockroaches can grow more than two inches long and have reddish-brown coloring with a figure-eight marking on the back of their heads. Like German cockroaches, these critters don’t tolerate cold temperatures well and may wander inside your home to wait out the winter.

Why Are Cockroaches In Western Massachusetts Dangerous?

Nobody likes sharing their home with an unwanted guest, but how concerning is a cockroach infestation? Unfortunately, cockroaches can be dangerous for Western Massachusetts homes, and here’s how:

• Cockroaches can carry bacteria and pathogens. Cockroaches like to spend a lot of time in sewers and garbage cans, where they can pick up plenty of bacteria and pathogens. Roaches are known to carry over thirty different types of pathogens, including bacteria that may lead to typhoid fever, dysentery, salmonella, and cholera.

• Cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions. An enzyme found in cockroach saliva, skin, and droppings triggers allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in many people, especially young children. Large cockroach infestations can make these symptoms worse, and even make the living conditions intolerable for those who are affected.

• Cockroaches can contaminate your food. Cockroaches are after your food. If they manage to make it into your pantry or cupboard, they may contaminate your food with the countless bacteria and pathogens that they carry.

Should You Call Pest Control To Get Rid Of Roaches?

If you discover a cockroach problem in your home, you shouldn’t try to solve it on your own. Given how dangerous cockroaches are, this can just put you and your family at greater risk. Instead, the best way to deal with cockroaches is by calling professional pest control in Western Massachusetts, like American Pest Solutions.

We’ve got reliable and effective residential pest control treatments to quickly turn your home back into a roach-free zone. If you suspect you’ve got cockroaches, there’s only one thing to do – contact us today at American Pest Solutions to schedule an inspection or to learn more about our cockroach control services.

How To Keep Roaches From Coming Back In Western Massachusetts

Cockroaches may be sneaky, but there are some ways to prevent them from coming back into your Western Massachusetts home, such as:

• Practice good sanitation, such as storing food in airtight containers and keeping a tight lid on your indoor and outdoor garbage cans. 

• Use foam, caulk, or another sealant to block off tiny cracks and crevices where cockroaches might enter.

• Deal with dirty dishes quickly and don’t leave them sitting overnight where cockroaches might eat off of them.

• Declutter your home and get rid of items that cockroaches could use for shelter, like paper, cardboard, and similar materials.