Florida has a big problem when it comes to cockroaches. There are really no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you own a home in Florida, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll have to deal with a roach issue. So today, we’re going to talk about Florida cockroaches, and what to do if you need help with Pasco county roach control.
Pasco County Roach Control: What species of cockroach are common in Florida?
Florida, with its subtropical climate and thriving shipping and tourism industries, has a real cockroach issue not only with native species but also with invasive ones from abroad. So, let’s touch on a few of the most common species you may run across in the Sunshine State.
American cockroach
Few bugs in America will have you jumping up on a chair and shrieking in fear like the American Cockroach. Often confused for the palmetto bug, this is the largest species of roach in the United States. Members of this species regularly reach three inches in length, though an inch and a half to two and a half inches is most common. This is an easily recognizable species as well, thanks to their reddish-brown mahogany color and the bright yellow half circle that rings the backs of their heads.
This is a species with fully developed wings as adults. It’s not an uncommon story in Florida that one of these guys will come helicoptering through your window at night if you leave the light on and the window open. American cockroaches are attracted to light like moths. You can often find them investigating or flying around porch lights.
Thankfully, this isn’t a pest you should need much Pasco County roach control help for. American cockroaches are giant and scary but prefer to live outdoors. These bugs often end up inside homes when searching for food and water and have no qualms with living in a comfortable place with a ready food source, however.
German cockroaches
Next on the list is a much more serious problem if they find their way into your Florida home. The German cockroach is a serious infestation threat. These are medium sized roaches, rarely reaching over an inch and length. You can recognize them by their pale yellow coloring, with two parallel black stripes that run down their backs. These roaches have wings, but they are small and underdeveloped. German cockroaches prefer to run away and rarely fly.
This species of roach is so invasive that scientists don’t believe they live wild anymore. Members of this species can be found anywhere people live, and have become entirely reliant on being a pest. A single female can lead to an infestation as well. German cockroaches only have to mate once in their lives, after which they can get pregnant whenever conditions are right. A single female German cockroach can have two hundred offspring in their lives, making spotting one of these a genuine pest control emergency. If you think you have German cockroaches, it would be wise to get help from a Pasco County roach control specialist asap.
palmetto bugs
Palmetto bug has become sort of a catch-all phrase for Florida cockroaches. Oftentimes, people use this word when referring to American Cockroaches. However, it was originally used to describe the Florida Woods Roach.
The Florida woods roach is a large species of roach, which can reach two inches in length. When alarmed, adults can eject an extremely foul-smelling directional spray up to one meter, which inspired several other of its nicknames. These include the skunkroach and stinkroach, to name a few.
The Florida woods cockroach is slower moving than many other cockroach species. It prefers damp locations with abundant moisture and does well in warm, damp climates. It is found in its native habitats, such as the U.S. state of Florida and the West Indies. The species wanders indoors at times, especially in damp locations, such as bathrooms; however, it prefers the outdoors and is not considered a major pest in the home. It is cold intolerant and requires a warm, subtropical or tropical climate.
Pasco County Roach Control: How do I keep cockroaches out of my home?
Roach prevention in Florida doesn’t really have a one sized fits all answer. However, there are certain things you can do to at least reduce the number that can live in your home. But the old saying that cleanliness is close to godliness absolutely applies here. Roaches love clutter and mess.
For one, make sure that you don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. This combination of easily accessible food and water is a surefire way to end up with an infestation that becomes a real problem. And be careful how much cardboard you keep in and around your home. The cellulose material that makes it up is both a food source, shelter, and breeding area for cockroaches. Consider getting rid of cardboard food containers in the pantry and replacing them with re-usable metal or plastic.
Also, the exclusion is important for any manner of a pest when you own a Florida home. Make sure to trim bushes and overhanging branches back and away from your house, and stack firewood a reasonable distance away as well. Check weather stripping on doors and windows, and make sure screens don’t have holes in them. Utility pipes can also have an opening around them that can allow roaches in, so be sure to seal tightly around them.
Pasco County Roach Control: What to do if I’m infested?
Unfortunately, cockroaches are rapidly breeding hardy pests. Cleaning and excluding them will help keep their numbers down. But there’s really no way to know what’s going on in hard-to-reach areas of your house like wall voids and crawlspaces. So if you think you have a roach problem, don’t hesitate. Visit our website at insectfree.com and either call the listed number or fill out the pop up on the home page and let Earth’s Best show you why we’ve been in business for three decades!
