American Cockroaches

What do American cockroaches look like?

American cockroaches are the largest native species of cockroaches in America. They grow to be 1 ¼ to 2 ⅛ inches long, have six legs, and are reddish brown. You can identify these pests by its size and the yellow figure eight-shaped pattern behind its head.

Are American cockroaches dangerous?

Since American roaches crawl over or consume things like rotting meat, decaying vegetation, and dead animals, they have the ability to carry bacteria, pathogens, and parasitic worms, which they can spread to humans and animals. These pests can also trigger asthma attacks and allergies with their shed skin and droppings.

What attracts American cockroaches? 

American cockroaches are motivated by food, shelter, and moisture. They often live around kitchen appliances, bathrooms, basements, attics, and other secluded areas. As they are omnivores, these pests will eat almost anything, including cereal, muffins, and meat. They'll also feed on weird things we don't consider food, like cardboard, paper, fabrics, and glue. The biggest thing that limits these pests is access. If an American cockroach can enter your home, it will likely stick around and cause problems.

How do American cockroaches get inside?

Just because American cockroaches are big does not mean they have trouble invading homes. These pests can squeeze through gaps that are ¼ the height of their bodies. That’s about 1/10 of an inch. American cockroaches enter homes by crawling under doors, through cracks in foundational blocks, and around unsealed vents, windows, and utility wires. They can also get indoors through unused water and sewer pipes. 

Are American cockroaches active during the day? 

Most American cockroaches are not active during the day. These pests are nocturnal by nature. This does not mean one of these insects will not crawl out into the open in broad daylight. In fact, in a larger infestation, there's a good chance you'll see cockroaches during the day. 

What are the signs of an American cockroach infestation?

American cockroaches leave many subtle clues behind when they invade homes. Grease marks on floors, specks of fecal droppings, shed skin, and egg castings are four of the most common signs of cockroaches.

If you are having trouble identifying these pests or do not have the time to inspect your home for an active infestation, bring in your Anti-Pest service team for a quick pest inspection. 

Is seeing one American cockroach bad? 

If you flick a light on in the middle of the night and see a dark speck on the floor dart for cover, it is probably a cockroach. One cockroach at night, however, does not indicate a serious problem. One cockroach during the day is a different story. As we mentioned above, these pests are less likely to come out in broad daylight unless there are lots of roaches present. 

Are American cockroaches hard to get rid of?

American cockroaches are durable and resilient insects. They can withstand a tremendous amount of physical pressure and are resistant to many forms of pest control. They can withstand five times more radiation than the average human. They are quick to run from danger and can hide in the deepest recesses of homes. All of these things make these pests a challenge to control.

How do I get rid of American cockroaches?

Contact Anti-Pest today to exterminate American cockroaches that have infested your home or business! Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company has been helping property owners in Shreveport, Bossier City, and nearby areas solve roach infestations since 1950. We offer home pest control services and commercial pest solutions that ensure cockroaches don't stand a chance!

How do I make my house American cockroach-proof? 

There are several things you can do to cockroach-proof your home. We recommend starting with your home’s exterior. Seal gaps and cracks in your foundation, address damage to windows and doors, repair or replace damaged screens, and use weatherstripping and door sweeps to address leaks around windows and doors. Pair these exclusion tips with general house cleaning, food storage, trash management, and yard maintenance, and you will be much less likely to find these insects indoors.

Prevention tips are great at keeping cockroaches away. They won't give you the best solution to address an existing infestation. Turn to your Anti-Pest service team for effective cockroach control or long-term professional prevention.