Here in the Tampa area, we have a serious cockroach problem. The Sunshine State has a lot to envy, but our bug situation really isn’t going to make that list. So today. let’s talk about 2024 Tampa, Florida, cockroaches, and what you need to look out for in your home or business.
2024 Tampa Florida Cockroaches: Are cockroaches bad in Tampa Florida?
Down here in the South, we have plenty to look forward to. Hugely long summers, pristine and clean beaches, as well as plenty of hospitality and fun. But we also have the perfect environments and ecosystems for bugs to thrive. And cockroaches in Florida are a big issue because of that.
Our beaches incline into shrublands and low-lying forests, and the more interior you go, you run into swamplands, pastures, and forests full of dead wood, shelter, and standing water. These three things combined mean that bugs can expand and breed pretty much year-round, given the right conditions. But the nature isn’t the only pest control issue we have. We also have the problem of human activity. Not only do we have to contend with the species native to Florida, but also the invasive species that come from afar to become 2024 Tampa, Florida cockroaches. In a way, you can think of it as cockroach tourism! The ways they get here are usually through shipping or travel, stowing away in the bottoms of ships, or in people’s luggage on planes. Cockroaches are hardy and fast reproducers, so even a handful of them can make it across alive and become a real infestation issue.
Then you have places like restaurants and apartment complexes. Restaurants create issues with large, open dumpsters that provide food and shelter for roaches to breed in. Apartment complexes can be an issue because one person’s problem is everyone’s problem. So, let’s get into a few tips on how to keep cockroaches out of your home.
2024 Tampa Florida Cockroaches: How do I keep cockroaches out of my Florida home?
Let’s touch on a few basic tips to keep cockroaches out of your home and business. Have you ever heard the old saying that cleanliness is next to godliness? Well, with roaches, that’s very true. An ounce of prevention is much greater than a pound of cure when it comes to keeping your home clean.
For one, ensure that crumbs or fallen food are immediately picked up and disposed of. Cockroaches are the ultimate survivors in nature. And not only that, but it takes very little nutrition for a female cockroach to be able to breed. So, along the same vein, you’re gonna need to try and get a trashcan with a locking lid. An open trashcan in Florida just isn’t possible. And even a loose-fitting one is a recipe for disaster. Cockroaches can squeeze themselves into spaces smaller than a quarter so that they can find their way into loose-fitting trash can lids without too much of an issue.
Reducing clutter is also a big deal for keeping roaches out of your home. Cockroaches love things like cardboard stored in attics, cupboards, and basements (not that we have many of those here in Florida). One easy way to reduce the amount of cardboard in your house is to replace single use cardboard boxes like cereal boxes and oatmeal containers with plastic or stainless steel. This way, the food will hold for longer and be less vulnerable to cockroach attacks, as they’ll chew straight through any material made of cellulose.
Exclusion is also important in roach prevention. Overhanging branches and hedges that touch your home are highways for bugs from the outdoors to the indoors. A good tip is to create a small barrier of gravel around your house’s foundations and garden away from the home. This gravel trench will heat up in the sun and make it difficult for bugs to cross.
2024 Tampa Florida Cockroaches: What species of cockroach are most common in Florida?
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are a large and shocking species to find in your home. These are the single largest roaches in the 48 contiguous states. Reaching three inches in length, these bugs will sometimes wander into your home, looking for food and water. And not only that, but the adults have fully formed wings capable of flight! A light on and an open window at night can easily lead to one of these things clumsily helicoptering around your living room or kitchen and stressing out the whole house.
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are a much more disastrous find in Florida homes. These are medium sized, pale yellow roaches with two stripes that run down their backs. They’re an invasive pest from Europe that has become so human adjacent that they no longer are really found in the wild. A female of this species can have over two hundred offspring in her lifetime and only needs to mate once to do it.
These cockroaches are a global problem as well. It’s estimated that there’s really no members of this population surviving in the wild, and that these bugs are found on every continent on the planet! It’s possible they’re found in science stations on Antarctica occasionally.
What do I do about Tampa Florida cockroaches once they’ve infested my home?
Alright, now let’s get to the meat of the matter. Tampa, Florida, cockroaches are here, and they’re not going anywhere. Cockroach control in the home is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. These resilient pests can carry diseases, contaminate food, and trigger allergies, making it crucial to address infestations promptly and effectively. To prevent future infestations, maintain a clean home, seal cracks and crevices, and reduce clutter. Regularly inspect and clean areas where cockroaches are likely to hide, such as behind appliances and in cabinets.
But once they’re inside, you cannot do much as a layman. Instead, visit our website at insectfree.com. Once there, either fill out the pop up form on the home page or give us a call at the listed number, and let Earth’s Best show you why we’ve been in business in the area for thirty years!
