Down in Florida, we have a handful of things you can count on. Heat for most of the year? Check. Plenty of beaches and tourist spots? Check. Some guy who wears socks with sandles no matter the weather? Check. Sadly, it’s not all fun and games in the Sunshine State. No, we have one more thing you can guarantee that you’ll see. And that, sadly, is cockroaches. So today we’re going to cover central Florida roach control and touch on why they’re just so bad around Tampa.
Central Florida Roach Control: Overview
Cockroaches can be over two inches in length, depending on the species. Tropical species especially, which have plenty of, are larger than those found in other climates. Cockroaches have six legs, and two antennae, and some have wings- though most are poor fliers.
They have flat, oval shaped bodies and are often oily to the touch. They may be cool or warm depending on the environment. Cockroaches in homes are better at hiding than humans are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally resistant to most over the counter insecticides, and cockroach traps don’t really work as well as we wish they did. Without special equipment, materials, and experience you can’t really get rid of an infestation on your own.
Central Florida Roach Control: Why are there so many roaches in Tampa?
Unfortunately, the secret to why there are just so many lies in the climate. The roaches are attracted to the warm, humid air of Florida. And with so many humans in the state, with the number ballooning out of control, roaches can find endless supplies of food in the trash created by this many people alone. And a sad part about living in central Florida is that you can’t go to many places that won’t be just absolutely inundated with litter and garbage. So with that, dumpsters, and people, food is never an issue for a roach species down in Florida.
When thinking about how many roaches are in Florida, keep in mind that roaches can reproduce at alarming rates. One female German roach, for example, can produce more than 300,000 offspring in one year, with roaches reaching maturity in 36 days.
However, not all roaches are indoor species. Many roaches live outdoors and help clean up the environment by eating dead and decaying matter. You’re more likely to find these roaches in compost bins and garden beds that in your trash cans or in your home.
The American Cockroach
As a quick aside, let’s talk about the famous giant roaches of Florida. Often mistaken as the palmetto bug, we have the American cockroach. The adults can be over three inches long, and adults are reddish brown or mahogany in color. Their heads are outlined with a bright yellow band.
Both male and female American cockroaches can fly. The wings develop when the roaches become adults. American cockroaches normally live outdoors. They prefer warm, damp areas like flowerbeds, and under mulch. In many parts of the United States, people call them “palmetto bugs” because they live on trees. American cockroaches are very common in the sewer systems of many American cities.
American cockroaches enter homes to find water or food. They can easily pass under doors if the weather stripping is damaged. Basement windows and garages are also common entryways. When American cockroaches enter homes, they often go to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.
Outdoors, American cockroaches eat leaves, tiny wood particles, fungi, and algae. They also eat small insects. Indoors, American cockroaches forage under appliances, in drains, in kitchen cabinets, and on the floor. They eat crumbs, scraps of food, and spilled food that they find. They will also eat pet food that is left out overnight.
The females of the species aren’t the prolific breeders that other species of roach are, and are usually indoors by accident, so this is not a true infester.
Central Florida Roach Control Tips
Now let’s get into some things you can do to keep roaches out of and away from your home. Like with any species of pest insect, removing clutter and places for them to hide is the first thing you should do. Cockroaches love to squeeze into gaps and cracks. They’re right at home in a pile of rocks or a stack of wood. If you have objects piled in your yard, especially objects that are found in nature, cockroaches will want to hang out in your yard. Remove the piles, or move them far from your exterior walls.
Lawn clutter and gardens are good for roaches as well. Cockroaches don’t just hide in natural hiding places. They’ll get underneath other objects in your yard. The more lawn clutter you have, the happier cockroaches will be. Objects provide shaded spots for cockroaches to get out of the sun and stay moist.
And this probably isn’t shocking, but keeping your garbage in check is an important step as well. Your trash can be a strong attractant for cockroaches. When the trash is not removed weekly, it starts to stink. That smell can be sensed by cockroaches. Be sure to remove your trash weekly, and clean your receptacles if trash is ever allowed to sit for longer than a week. It is also important to protect your trash. Cockroaches can find food sources in your trash and breed inside your trash. Make sure you have tight-fitting covers on your trash cans if cockroaches are an issue for you.
The decaying and rotting matter is a strong roach attractant as well. Roaches prefer food that is rotting. This could be fruit lying under a fruit tree. It could be a dirty dog or cat dish sitting outside. It could be birdseed fermenting on the ground.
What to do if infested?
Unfortunately, roaches are a fast breeding and crafty insect. Chemical pesticides are often resisted by this bug, or resistance is bred within a few generations of exposure. Instead, rely on a pest control specialist. Especially one that uses natural methods for the best results.