Cockroach Control 101: What Phoenix Residents Need To Know

A cockroach on the floor.
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Cockroach control in Phoenix can often be complicated by our arid environment. Most cockroach species need moisture, which is not exactly in abundant supply here in the desert. This can make these unsanitary pests even more desperate to get into our homes. Here's what to do to stop them. 

How to Identify A Cockroach

Cockroaches can be some of the hardest pests to identify because of their sneaky ways. Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature, meaning they are most active when people are asleep. Aside from this, they are very good at sensing the vibrations of your footsteps and scurrying out of the way before you enter the room.

The fact that you may never see a live cockroach, even if you have a significant infestation, can make cockroach identification incredibly difficult. Fortunately, you don't need to see a live cockroach to determine you have a cockroach infestation. You can look for other signs, such as:

  • Cockroach feces
  • Cockroach egg capsules
  • Cockroach exoskeletons and dead bodies
  • Smear marks through water
  • A foul or musty odor

If you start seeing several of these signs, it is highly likely that you have a cockroach problem. This is especially true if you start seeing live cockroaches.

Common Problems Cockroaches Cause

Cockroach infestations are far from just annoying; cockroaches are a significant threat to your health. These crawling insects are riddled with diseases that can infect humans. They are known or suspected to spread nearly 50 different pathogens, some of which can land you in the hospital.

Cockroaches are so full of these pathogens because of where they spend their time and what they like to eat. Cockroaches eat dead carcasses, rotting garbage, and even feces. When they crawl around in these items, they pick up germs on their bodies, and when they eat such food, they ingest these pathogens as well. 

This means cockroaches contaminate virtually everything they touch, and since they spend so much of their time in your kitchen and around your food stores, the likelihood that they will expose you to an illness is very high.

Advantages Of Hiring Experts For Cockroach Removal

Cockroach control is notoriously difficult. Getting rid of cockroaches is so tough for a few different reasons. First of all, most cockroach varieties breed incredibly fast. This means that store-bought products typically do not eliminate enough adult cockroaches to eradicate entire infestations. The most they can do is temporarily reduce the cockroach population around your home, but unless you get them all, their numbers will bounce back.

Another major reason why it is so tough to eliminate cockroaches is their legendary toughness. Cockroaches can survive decapitation, crushing forces of up to 900 times their own weight, and far more nuclear radiation than humans. They also develop resistance to insecticides faster than almost any other pest. This means store-bought products are often no match for cockroaches’ resilience. 

This is why it's better to hire the experts. Here at Overson Pest Control, we always stay on top of the latest and greatest cockroach control technologies to ensure that no matter how fast they develop resistance, we can still beat them at their own game. 

How Do I Prevent Cockroaches From Coming Back?

The best way to deal with cockroach infestations is to prevent them. Cockroach prevention is actually not that difficult. You just need to eliminate attractants like excessive moisture, uncovered garbage, and improperly stored foods. In addition, you will want to seal cracks and holes in your home's exterior to prevent cockroach entry.

Taking these measures can help encourage cockroaches to stay outside where they belong. However, if you need professional cockroach removal services, don't forget that the experts here at Overson Pest Control are just a click or call away.