The good news about cockroaches in apartments is that only a few of the 55 species of cockroaches are considered pests. Unfortunately, the cockroaches that invade your home are not just nuisances. These cockroaches can carry diseases pathogens like staphylococcus and Escherichia coli, which can cause food poisoning, and Salmonella, which can contaminate food and utensils. People can also experience allergic reactions from roach feces or shed skins.
Know your enemy
The German cockroach is the most common type found in apartments. It lives indoors and breeds indoors. They can be carried in grocery bags, shared laundry rooms or stored goods to apartments. They may also be able to find their way into an apartment from a neighboring one. They are approximately one-half inch long and light-tan in color.
German roaches tend to be most active at night and prefer to remain hidden during the day. They like to hide behind walls, in crevices, and under appliances. They love to live in humid, warm areas close to food and water sources. These roaches are most common in the bathroom and kitchen. As the roach population grows, it is possible to find them throughout an entire apartment. German roaches can breed quickly, which is the biggest problem in apartments. In as little as 30 to 45 minutes, a female German cockroach can give birth to hundreds of offspring.
Sometimes, other species of cockroaches like the American roach or the smoky-brown roach may wander in. These roaches live outdoors, but may venture indoors for food, water, or both. The American roach measures approximately 1 to 2 inches long and is light brown in color. The pronotum is the area above the head. It has a thin margin that looks like a halo around its outer edge. The solid mahogany color smoky brown is 1 to 1.5 inches long.
Prevention of cockroaches within apartments
It's nearly impossible to stop roaches entering your apartment. However, you can take steps to make it less attractive to them.
Limiting food sources
Limit water resources
Keep them out
Look out for signs
Your vigilance is key to controlling and preventing cockroaches from your apartment. Keep an eye out for evidence that roaches are present in your apartment. Search for egg capsules, dead or alive roaches, and feces. You may even notice a pungent, stale odor in your apartment. This unpleasant odor is caused by roaches, filthy creatures.
First, notify your apartment manager immediately if you see cockroaches. Managers may choose to call Alta Pest Control for pest management assistance.
