For many Tampa homeowners, cockroaches are their worst nightmare. These disgusting pests will contaminate food, aggravate allergies, and spread diseases. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so they often escape detection by hiding in dark places and avoiding humans during the day. Once you find them, cockroaches are extremely difficult to eliminate, as they are resistant to most common pesticides and breed quickly. They can live through freezing or sweltering temperatures, go long periods of time without food, and some species can survive without a head for a week! If you do find yourself dealing with a cockroach problem, however, all is not lost. EcoTech Pest Control Services, the foremost name in Tampa pest control, is here to help you identify and handle these nasty pests.
Types Of Cockroaches Found In Tampa
First, let's examine two of the more common types of cockroaches living in the Tampa area – the American cockroach and the German cockroach. Cockroaches have six legs and two antennae, and their bodies are usually oval-shaped. They are nocturnal insects that tend to seek out warm, humid spaces that are close to their chosen food source. American cockroaches are the largest cockroach that people find in their homes. They are usually reddish-brown with a prominent yellow band on the backs of their heads. They average between 1 1/4 and 2 1/8 inches in length when fully grown. American cockroaches have wings and are capable of short flights. German cockroaches are the world's most common cockroach species. They are usually between 1/2 and 5/8 of an inch long and range in color from light brown to tan, with two dark stripes down their backs. Now that we've discussed cockroach identification, we'll look at what brings more cockroaches to your home during the summer months.
Why Cockroach Infestations Become More Common In Spring And Summer
To understand why cockroach infestations are more prevalent during the spring and summer months, you first need to know what attracts cockroaches to your home in the first place. Cockroaches prefer moist, humid environments that allow them access to food and shelter during the day. This attraction to heat encourages cockroaches to forage for food more extensively during the spring and summer months when the weather begins to warm up. Cockroaches also breed more quickly during the summer, meaning that infestations will be even more difficult to deal with.
Everything Tampa Homeowners Need To Know To Prevent Cockroaches
Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take as a Tampa homeowner to prevent these cockroaches from getting a foothold in your house. You may be asking yourself, "What keeps cockroaches away?" While many over-the-counter substances have proven useless, there are some steps you can take to exclude them.
These include:
- Reduce excess moisture in and around your home.
- Locate any gaps or openings in the exterior of your house and seal them.
- Keep your kitchen and dining area clean and free of loose food particles.
- Take out the trash frequently.
These tips should help you keep cockroaches away from your Tampa home. They may still find their way inside, however. In that case, you should call a local pest control company for help.
Why You Should Call A Professional If You're Seeing Cockroaches
The best kind of cockroach pest control in Tampa is professional cockroach control. Our technicians at EcoTech Pest Control Services have the tools and expertise necessary to handle cockroaches in your home. You can count on us to pay attention to the details, communicate proactively, and provide the most effective and environmentally friendly solutions to your pest problems. Contact EcoTech Pest Control Services today for help with cockroaches and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Tampa.