The American cockroach is a major pest species in the US, and the largest roach that will infest the home. Other names of this insect include the palmetto bug, the Bombay canary and the water bug. Despite the name, this roach is not native to the North American continent, and it is believed they were introduced to the US from Africa in the early 17th century.
Identification
An adult American cockroach will have an average length of 1.5 inches, with some individual roaches reaching lengths over 2 inches. In terms of coloration, the American cockroach is reddish-brown with a yellow band around its head. This cockroach also has wings, and it uses them to traverse short distances.
Threats
While American cockroaches have the capacity to bite people, they rarely do, and the bite is completely harmless unless it gets infected. The real threat posed by these roaches comes from the fact that they are filthy. They have been known to spread as many as 33 bacteria and pathogens, including Salmonella and E.coli, along with six parasitic worms. The cockroaches pick up all these pathogens and parasites on their legs as they travel through sewage or decaying materials, and then they transfer them to any surface or food that they touch. On top of that, the American cockroach generates allergens through its urine, feces and saliva. During large infestations, these allergens fill the building, and this can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Signs of an infestation
There are a few ways in which you can determine whether you have an American cockroach infestation. To start, you have the obvious presence of cockroaches in the home – odds are that if you spot one cockroach, many more are lurking in the shadows. You then have the presence of cockroach droppings, which resemble black pepper, in various areas of the home. Finally, a cockroach infestation will create a musty smell in the home, and the inhabitants of the buildings may experience allergic reactions and asthma symptoms.
Getting rid of cockroaches
If you believe that you have an American cockroach infestation in the home, it’s essential that you get rid of it as fast as possible with the help of a pro. This is where we can help you out. Get in touch with us today for American cockroach control services