I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but boy is it going to be a scorching summer. El nino is kicking into gear, the Atlantic ocean is heating up like crazy, and the bugs around your home are going to be running from shelter. That’s why today we’ll be talking about Summertime roaches, a few of the species you can expect to try and invade your home, and what to do about a cockroach infestation in your central Florida home.
Summertime Roaches: Florida’s Specialty
Down here in the Southlands we have a little bit of a cockroach problem. And the further south you go, the bigger and more varied that roach problem becomes. In fact, you won’t find another state in the continental united states that has roaches quite like Florida does. And let’s touch on why that is for a moment.
To begin with, why do you love Florida? The weather? The sunshine? The year round heat? Well, guess what! You’re not the only ones. Just about every species of insect loves conditions like this as well, and that’s why they thrive in Florida in massive numbers. The low-lying forests of the central part of the state that taper down into swamplands are great breeding and feeding grounds for bugs. And the more we build into those areas the more they’re going to radiate out into our homes looking for food and shelter.
Not only that, but with the population boom currently happening in Florida, all manner of pest insects are on the rise. Not only do we have to contend with what we have here, but travel, tourism, and shipping brings roach species from all over the world to our sunny peninsula. And when they arrive, they thrive. So let’s get into some tips on how you can keep these pesky pests out of your home and steer clear of summertime roaches and a possible infestation.
Cockroach Control: Basic Tips
One thing people don’t think of often is the state of their garden. Thanks to the year round long days and high sun exposure, the state attracts many gardeners. And many of those gardeners put their garden beds in direct contact with their home. Unfortunately, doing so leaves plenty of space for roaches to move in and eventually radiate into your house itself.
That’s because whenever you water your garden, the mulch bed will retain that moisture for a good amount of time. And during the blistering hot days of Florida’s summer, those summertime roaches will dive in head first for some shelter from the sun. Instead, create garden beds that are not in direct contact with your house. A layer of stones between the garden bed and your foundation can do wonders if it’s at least a few inches thick.
Another often overlooked tip is to make sure the rubber around your windows and under your doors is kept in good condition. When these begin to degrade over time, either through exposure to weather or pests nibbling at it month after month, it becomes possible for cockroaches to squeeze through the gaps into your home. Any gap around your home should be filled as soon as you can, including around areas where water pipes go in and out of your home.
And consider getting trashcans with lids that lock firmly in place. Many times people with otherwise clean homes will have unsecured garbage cans either in the garage or their kitchen with only loosely locking lids. Unfortunately, cockroaches can squeeze themselves into spaces roughly the size of a quarter. So to really keep them out, make sure that it locks firmly in place without any extra space for those little summertime roaches to squeeze through.
most common roach species
If you have an infestation in your home, there’s two usual culprits. The first is the German cockroach. It’s the most numerous roach in the world and is responsible for the vast majority of home cockroach infestation. You can recognize them but their slightly light-tannish coloration and two parallel black stripes that start at their heads and run back down towards their bodies. What makes these summertime roaches so hard to get rid of is the ability of the females to mate once in their lifetime but retain the male’s semen and continue to produce offspring for the rest of her life. During which she can lay roughly three hundred thousand eggs.
In Florida, you’ll often times run across the American cockroach as well. You can recognize these roaches by their sheer size, as adults can reach up to three inches in length. Not only that, but they can fly as well- though clumsily. It’s not uncommon for them to fly straight at you as
Summertime Roaches: What to do if my home is infested?
Unfortunately, cockroach infestations are not something that can be dealt with on your own usually. There are steps that you can take to make sure you minimize their spread, however. The first is obviously cleanliness. Old dishes left in the sink, crumbs on the floor, and unvacuumed carpets are all hotbeds for roaches to feast from. And the only thing they need more than that is water. So if you have any leaky pipes under your sink, make sure to have them and any water damaged wood repaired quickly. On top of that, any water spilled either getting in and out of the shower or while using a sink should be cleaned up immediately. Also, vacuum regularly to catch any spare crumbs, dirt, or loose particles the roaches can feed on. Summertime roaches can subsist off of a very small amount of food.
But for a more permanent solution, you should contact a pest control specialist as soon as you can. Cockroaches are rapid breeders, and the more time you give for them to spread the more they will take advantage of that. If you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation and want the help of a pest control business that has been part of the central Florida community for over 25 years, contact us at 1-800-634-1313 or visit our website at insectfree.com for a free quote today!
