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Cockroaches are common insect pests found all over the world. Familiar to most people, cockroaches are very resourceful insects that can live, eat, and breed in your home without you even knowing it.
While they don't usually bite, cockroaches can still cause health problems for some people in an infested house or apartment. Some people can experience allergy and asthma symptoms from breathing in cockroach skin and waste.
If you think you have cockroaches, do not panic. Finding roaches is not a sign that your house is dirty. Even if you clean regularly and maintain a tidy home, cockroaches can usually find food and water without much trouble. This allows them to thrive in many environments.
Cockroaches are very resourceful insects that can enter your home in a number of different ways, including:
Cockroaches are also great at hiding. There are many places throughout the home where a cockroach can hide. By understanding a cockroach’s ideal environment and feeding behavior, you may have a better chance of identifying areas in your home that a cockroach may prefer.
Prevention and monitoring are critical to avoiding a serious cockroach infestation. Fortunately, there are steps you can take at home to limit cockroach activity and prevent future infestations. Store food in sealed containers and keep pet dishes covered.
You might consider developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan that incorporates a variety of methods and knowledge of cockroach behavior to help manage an infestation. This approach can help you eliminate pests in an effective and less hazardous way.
There are different types of cockroaches. The first step is to find out the species of cockroach living in your home. Identification will allow you to learn about their biology and control, by helping you to understand the source of the infestation and behavior. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service to help you with this task.
Here are a few steps to help you take control of a cockroach infestation:
Don't Distress Over Uninvited Guests (Roaches)! Episode 14 - A pesticide specialist discusses common problems with cockroaches in the home and simple ways to prevent infestations. Download and Listen, View Transcript - 2:06 min., 3.85MB |
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.