Most roach infestations in homes or businesses are of the German variety. German roaches are small, about half an inch long, and yellowish-brown. There are other types of roaches, such as the much-larger American and Oriental roaches (which can be up to 2 inches in length), but they are natural outdoor bugs that usually stay there. Not the German roach, though.

So, why do these German cockroaches infest anywhere and everywhere indoors? What are they seeking? And is there anything you can do to avoid an infestation? Lloyd Pest Control is here to equip you with the information you need to remain roach-free.

What Do Roaches Want?

Like any good scavenger, roaches seek out food – and they aren’t picky about it. In addition to foods people would eat like bread and meat, roaches can eat things like glue, book bindings, and even toothpaste. They aren’t outdoor roaches so will naturally seek buildings containing their meals.

In addition to food, one of the defining traits of roach behavior is their preference for both moisture and heat. As a result, you won’t often find them in dry, cool areas.

Roaches in the Home

You might think roaches only infest dirty, poorly-kept homes. While it is true that a lack of readily available food will prevent extreme breeding from happening, roaches can infest even clean homes. The safe, predictable indoors is much more hospitable to roaches than the harsh outdoors, and if there is a way in, a roach population will be more than happy to make themselves welcome.

Two rooms are particularly susceptible to roaches: kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens are great sources of food and home to plenty of warm, dark corners (like behind the fridge and under the stove). Bathrooms are usually the wettest rooms in the house, so roaches are perfectly fine hanging out there.

Roaches in a Business

Restaurants and hotels are the two businesses most often infested by roaches, as they provide scrumptious meals and ample warm nooks. Places of business that do not practice satisfactory sanitation are most prone, but roaches are resilient creatures and can make their way to clean businesses as well.

Non-service businesses are also vulnerable. Roaches can hitch a ride with employees or in shipments of cardboard boxes, which are favorite hiding places for the critters. And since roaches can multiply quickly, offices and high-rises certainly aren’t immune to an infestation either.

Why Are Roaches So Prevalent, and What Makes Them a Problem?

Roaches wouldn’t be as much of a nuisance if not for their prevalence and their hazards to health. Unfortunately, roaches are hardy, and they can also pose multiple health problems.

Roaches Are Hardy – and Great Parents

Cockroaches are surprisingly crafty creatures. They’re relentless in their pursuit of inside spaces and get creative in finding routes indoors. This can include pipes, cracks in the wall or foundation, and the tiny spaces underneath your garage doors. Roaches are great hitchhikers, too.

Another reason German roaches are so prevalent is because of their parenting skills. Unlike many other bugs, roach mothers will carry around their egg sacs until they are about to hatch, which helps optimize their birth location and keep them away from danger. When combined with their low bar for what they need and want to eat, roach populations can rapidly get out of hand.

Roaches and Negative Health Impacts

Roaches Are Disease Carriers

It’s commonly known that rodents and mosquitoes carry disease, but cockroaches are equally dangerous in this regard. Roaches can carry bacteria and viruses on their bodies in addition to spreading disease via their droppings. Some of these diseases include:

• Cholera
• Dysentery
• Salmonellosis
• E. Coli

Although cockroaches won’t directly contaminate you with a disease like a mosquito, a population of roaches can quickly contaminate large swaths of your house or business. This is problematic because they don’t even need to be in sight for their diseases to reach you.

Decaying Roaches Are Respiratory Nightmares

Even in death, roaches pose a health risk. Like many other insects, they shed their skin. This old skin is made up of a protein called chitin, which eventually breaks down and becomes airborne. This protein is an allergen for many, causing itchy eyes, a runny nose, rashes, and other symptoms. Furthermore, exposure to cockroaches has been linked to the development of asthma in children.

How You Can Combat Roaches

Sanitation, Sanitation, Sanitation

The single best thing you can do to combat roaches is sanitation. Yes, roaches can eat lots of things, but if there isn’t ready access to food in your home or business, it will be very difficult or impossible to maintain a strong population.

Close Off Outside Entrances to Your Building

Even if your home or business is perfectly clean, roaches could enter and give someone a scare if there is a way in from the outside. Do some investigating (and caulking work) and see if there are any potential entry points.

Roaches Ruling Your Home? Lloyd Has Solutions

If roaches crawling up and down your wall is driving you up the wall, let the professionals step in and help. Lloyd proudly uses sustainable cockroach control tactics with the lowest toxicity materials possible. In many cases, low-impact baiting works excellently, where our technicians will use sticky traps to identify hot spot areas in which to deploy the baits. Our expert technicians are experienced in both business and residential settings and are prepared to help kick out those unwanted guests. Don’t delay; contact Lloyd Pest Control today!

The post Far from Picky: Why Roaches Infest Anywhere and Everywhere first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Cockroaches and Health Department Inspections

As if the spread of news about roaches at your restaurant weren’t enough, a report of an infestation could result in a temporary shutdown. If local health inspectors find proof, you’ll lose revenue and suffer an even greater blow to your reputation when diners see your most recent health department report. You may also have to pay hefty fines and pass a follow-up inspection. Although it’s possible to restore your reputation after receiving a clean bill of health, the process can be slow and expensive.

Health Risks From Cockroaches

Although the price you pay for a few roaches can seem harsh, it’s easy to see why these penalties are in place. Cockroaches carry bacteria that can cause disease and even food poisoning as they walk across counters and exposed food. Roach exoskeletons and fecal-matter trails often cause problems for those with allergies or asthma.

Preventing Roach Infestations in Restaurants

Even if you strive to maintain a clean establishment, a few slip-ups and undetected entry points can make way for a full-fledged roach infestation. From skin cells to beer – a particular roach favorite – the lowly cockroach will consume most anything in its path. A roach can enter through cracks and gaps in any unprotected structure, and will stay as long as food and water are available. These hardy creatures can live without food for a month but can only go without water for a week. You could be unwittingly keeping a roach population alive with a leaky sink or water spills left behind.

Prevent cockroach infestations in your Southern California restaurant with help from Lloyd Pest Control. With us, you’ll not only get a comprehensive service that covers interior and exterior solutions, but a money back guarantee. And for our restaurant-specific services, we have a “We’ll Pick Up the Check” guarantee, too. So, if a guest ever spots a crawling pest in the dining area, we’ll pick up that table’s check and send a gift card to your restaurant accompanied by an apology from us that accepts full responsibility. That way, they’ll come back and see you at your best. Protect your Yelp reviews! Contact us today.

The post Don’t Let Roaches Ruin Your Rep first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.