Cockroaches are definitely one of the most hated creatures on the planet, and not without reason! Cockroaches are dangerous to your health, spread diseases, and make people reluctant to visit your home or business. But what about cockroaches in Prince George’s County? Are they dangerous too? Here’s what you need to know about cockroaches in Prince George’s County, and how to get rid of them safely so you can sleep easy tonight!
Yes, Cockroaches Are dangerous!
Some people may think that cockroaches are just creepy, but they can also be very dangerous. They spread bacteria and disease, eat away at things in your home, and make a big mess. If you have children or pets in your home, these unwanted pests are even more dangerous as they can potentially harm them or lead to allergies for them if exposed long enough. It’s important that you take some time to learn about what dangers cockroaches pose so that you can protect yourself and your family, especially children, from harm.
There are several different kinds of roaches, each with its own type of danger. You should know how to recognize each kind so that you know when it’s time to call an exterminator for roaches in order to stop them from harming your family and house.
Here are some of the common types of roaches in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia:
American Roach: This type is native to North America, but can be found all over both coasts of the United States as well as Hawaii. These were introduced by humans many years ago on ships coming into ports along those coasts where they thrived ever since. Another name for American roaches is water bugs because it seems like whenever there is standing water near someone's house, you will find large amounts of these near there. Due to their great ability to thrive in almost any environment, these roaches reproduce quickly and become larger problems quickly as well.
German Roach: While similar to American roaches, German roaches do prefer slightly drier areas than Americans tend to like. Wherever food can be easily had is where Germans are going to go making your kitchen (and particularly under your sink) a prime location for them during wet weather.
Brown-Banded Roach: These are very similar to German roaches, but instead of appearing dark brown or black, these have bands around their bodies that run horizontally. Wherever you find Germans you'll likely find these nearby as well because they are often confused for each other at first glance. While they prefer dryer areas than American roaches do, just like them they will eat almost anything they can fit into their mouths which makes them dangerous since people leave a wide variety of food in pantries and cabinets all over their houses.
Oriental Roach: These come from Asia, but have spread all over North America because they can travel almost anywhere on their own. Since they are much smaller than American roaches or German roaches, it's not uncommon for homeowners to not even realize that they have oriental roaches in their home until they find them living in large groups in kitchens, bathrooms, and in basements.
How Do I Get Rid of Cockroaches?
If you have a cockroach problem, getting rid of them is not easy. However, there are several options that can eliminate these pests from your home safely and quickly.
Your best bet will be to contact a pest control service in Prince George’s County such as My Pest Pros which can eliminate these critters for you as soon as possible. You should also consider sealing off any cracks or crevices around sinks, doors, and windows with caulk or spray foam. This way, no roaches will be able to enter your home from places like under fridge edges or beneath cabinets. Also avoid leaving food out overnight; if you keep any food stored outside of refrigerators at night, be sure to wrap it up tightly so that insects don’t get in and contaminate what you store.
How Can I Prevent Cockroach Infestations?
Cockroaches will eat just about anything. But by following a few steps, you can dramatically reduce their numbers.
Here are some steps you can take today:
- Keep trash cans clean; empty often
- Replace trash bags with small trash cans when possible.
- Store waste outside until morning pickup if possible, or store in outdoor garbage containers that is kept well away from living areas at night and on rainy days.
- Use garbage pails with tightly fitting lids or flaps that seal airtight after use as an added barrier against roaches.
My Pest Pros’ trained and experienced pest control technicians have the knowledge and tools to eliminate roaches from your Prince George’s County home. Our goal is to get rid of roaches and keep them gone. Call us today at 703-665-4455 or use our online form to request help for getting rid of roaches.