Nassau County Property Owners' Complete Guide To Cockroach Identification & Control

There are more than 900 thousand described insect species in the world. Out of all those species, under 5,000 of them are cockroach species. Out of those, only about 69 species can be found in the United States. While we can't provide a statistic for how many cockroach species can be found in New York state or Nassau county, we can tell you that there are only four species that we commonly find inside homes and businesses. That is definitely great news because cockroaches are dirty insects that can spread diseases and cause illness. Here's what you need to know most about these four cockroach species.

American Cockroach

This is the largest cockroach species you'll find inside your home. An American cockroach is between 1 ¼ to 2 ⅛ of an inch long. It has a chestnut color with a figure-8 symbol on its upper back.

German Cockroach

You wouldn't know by its name, but this is the most common cockroach pest in the United States. German cockroaches are notorious pests throughout the world. You can recognize them by their tan coloration and two dark stripes on the upper back. At full size, a German cockroach is between ½ to ⅝ inches in length.

Oriental Cockroach

The black coloration and shiny appearance of this cockroach make it easy to identify. At full size, an Oriental cockroach will be about 1 inch long. Males have wings that don't quite reach the end of their bodies. Females have no wings, which gives them an armored appearance.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

This little roach is less than ½ inch in length. It gets its name from the brown-banded coloration on its body. A mixture of brown, tan, and pale bands of color make these cockroaches easy to recognize.

Cockroach-Related Illness

All of these cockroaches spread illness. They can cause food poisoning, contaminate surfaces, spread parasitic worms, and aggravate asthma symptoms. One of the most important aspects of cockroach control is the prevention of illness.

• Put your stored foods in sealed containers. Cockroaches can chew through paper and cardboard.
• Keep your home as clean as possible; this includes deep cleaning in tight spaces.
• Keep litter boxes cleaned out.
• Consider putting your silverware in plastic baggies until you've had your cockroach infestation addressed.
• Consider washing your dishes before eating.
• Keep your toothbrush in a protective case.

Reduce Moisture

A damp perimeter around your home or high humidity inside your home can increase cockroach activity. Moisture control and cockroach control go hand-in-hand.

• Trim bushes, shrubs, and ornamentals in your landscaping.
• Water your plants in the morning.
• Make sure your gutters are working properly, and that water is flowing freely.
• Install dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home, such as your basement or boiler room.
• Use the fan in your bathroom when taking a shower or bath.

Seal Entry Points

If you have openings or gaps, cockroaches will use them to get into your home. Cockroaches are thigmotactic. They love to be squished into hard, tight spaces. Here are a few common entry points cockroaches take advantage of:

• Gaps under doors where door sweeps are damaged or missing.
• Gaps around doors where weatherstripping is damaged or not working properly.
• Gaps around pipes and other foundation penetrations.
• Gaps around window and door frames.
• Holes created by wood-destroying pests.
• Unprotected exhaust vents.
• Unprotected weep holes.

Cockroach Mobility

Pest roaches are versatile and resilient insects. They can live for long periods without food, water, or oxygen. They climb vertical surfaces and run across ceilings at full speed. They compact their bodies to squeeze into gaps that are much smaller than they are. As nymphs, some of the cockroaches listed above can fit through the holes of an electrical outlet. And, if all this isn't bad enough, some can fly. It isn't easy to keep them out. This is why we strongly recommend professional cockroach treatments for effective control.

Cockroach Treatments

If you live in Nassau County, let the highly-trained pest professionals at Parkway Pest Services help you get rid of cockroaches and keep them out of your property. Our team uses the most advanced methods and field-tested products to get the job done right. We have a "no-roach-left-behind" policy. Reach out to us today for service.