Cockroaches

Cockroaches are among the most common pests of households and businesses. Not only are they a nuisance, but they are known to be capable of carrying many common diseases and commonly causing allergic reactions.

We deal with all types of cockroaches at Green Piper, including:

German cockroach. The German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it can cause illnesses, the transmission of a variety of organisms, and allergic reactions in many people. They are found throughout structures but prefer warm (21°C) and humid places. They prefer kitchens and bathrooms, but infestations can occur in rooms where people eat and drink. These cockroaches commonly enter buildings via paper products such as grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons, and secondhand appliances such as refrigerators. They feed on almost anything with nutritional value, including food, soap, glue, and toothpaste.

Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America. It arrived from Africa in the early 1600s. Cockroaches have worldwide distribution. They are common in larger commercial buildings such as restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, food processing plants, hospitals, etc., where they tend to infest food preparation and storage areas and basements. They can enter structures by being brought in, coming up from drains, or rarely mass migration from another facility. Although they feed on many kinds of food, they show a particular fondness for fermenting food.

Brownbanded cockroaches get their common name from the pale brown bands across the adult’s wings and the pale brown bands across the nymph’s body. This species is African and presumably introduced from Cuba into Florida in about 1903. It now occurs throughout North America. They prefer warmer areas, such as ceilings, anything high on walls such as wall moulding, near appliance motors, and light switches, closets, and furniture.

Hard to find and incredibly adaptable and intelligent insects, cockroaches are fast and eat nearly anything – including glue, leather, fabric, soap, and all everyday pantry items. Their ability to quickly move from room to room makes infestations widespread and challenging to eliminate without the right tools. In fact, the only thing they cannot survive is a visit from us.

Damage and health issues caused by cockroaches can vary by species but can include:

• They can spread and cause diseases including Salmonella (food poisoning), Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Coliform, Bacillus, and Clostridium, Escherchia coli (diarrhea) and Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery), the protozoan-caused parasitic toxoplasmosis, and hepatitis B antigen.
• Minor damage from their eating habits can build up over time with belongings such as drapes, letters, books, wallpaper, and even clothing or furniture being delicious roach food.

It is essential to know the cockroach species you have. Cockroach species vary in their food preferences and living habits. Knowing the species will increase the chance of controlling or eliminating your cockroach problem.

Preventative Measures

Like with most pests preventing cockroach infestations is related to cleanliness and removing the pests’ homes and food supplies. Sorry, yes, it is more work for you.

• Keep Food Centralized. The main focus for cockroaches is finding a food source. If they can’t find it, they will not come.
• Seal Away Hiding Spots. Cracks and holes are favourite hiding spots for roaches, so make sure there are no rooms vacant for your cockroach roommates.
• Close Off Entry Points. Lock that door, and don’t let them in. They all have different entry methods so know your species.
• Clean Everything. Leaving all their favourite food and water around extends the invitation for your roommates to overstay their welcome and invite others.
• Keep it Cool. Almost every species of cockroach loves a humid, warm environment…so cooling things down will encourage them to move on to another more hospitable environment. It should be easy to do in northern Alberta in the winter.
• Seek our expert help. Green Piper offers one-time and regular maintenance packages to suit your needs to keep your home and business cockroach-free!