Cockroaches in Arizona

Arizona is a warm state, so cockroaches are a problem year-round. At least five types of cockroaches exist in Arizona, so most people can expect to be paid a visit from one at some time in their lives. Roaches are nocturnal, so you will not necessarily see them flying or crawling around your living spaces. However, if you see a cockroach or a sign of a cockroach, our pest control specialists at Western Exterminator can help. Reach out to us today to get started!

Types of cockroaches in Arizona

There are many different types of cockroaches. In Arizona, you may encounter these:

• American cockroach - From Phoenix to Scottsdale, American cockroaches are a concern statewide, especially for businesses. They can inhabit commercial office buildings within the sewer systems. These cockroaches are reddish brown, typically have a yellow band behind their head and can be up to 3 inches long.
• Brown-banded cockroach - These cockroaches derive their name from the two brown bands that surround their abdomens. They are tan in color and typically smaller than the American cockroach. They are known to eat books, draperies and wallpaper, so you will need to act fast to protect your home.
• German cockroach - You will need professional pest control services in Arizona immediately if you have an infestation of German cockroaches. This common roach species can reproduce an entire generation in only 100 days. The German cockroach is light brown in color and has long antennae that extend backwards and dark black strips that extend down their backs just behind the head.
• Oriental cockroach - The oriental cockroach is larger than the Brown-banded, but smaller than the American roach. These roaches are very dark, black or reddish colored. They like a cool, wet environment and tend to live indoors in basements or bathrooms.
• Turkestan cockroach - These roaches are primarily outdoor pests. You will notice a distinct difference between male and female Turkestan cockroaches. Males can be as large as ⅞” long and are a brownish-yellow color, while the females are smaller and a dark reddish-brown. Males are also attracted to light at nighttime, so they can find their way inside.

Protecting your Arizona property from cockroaches

It comes down to prevention if you want to remain free and clear of roaches in your home or business. Once they’re inside, it’s much harder to control their numbers. Cockroaches hide in small cracks and crevices behind counters, around plumbing pipes, and other out-of-the-way spaces. When night falls, they emerge to scavenge for food, leaving behind bacteria as they go.

You can do a lot to keep roaches out of your home or business by making some important changes, however, it’s important to call a pest control professional if an infestation has grown too large.

1. Seal their heading places.

Roaches hide in the dark recesses around properties. Inspect your home or business for cracks and crevices around pipes, vents, windows, and doors. Use a caulk gun to seal off these potential roach hiding places. Make sure to check the baseboards as roaches can squeeze through the smallest cracks and build nests where you’d least expect them. Trim back  and clear tall grasses, piles of leaves, stacks of wood, and weeds as these can provide easy access for cockroaches to get indoors.

2. Take away their food source.

Roaches will seek out just about any food and the easier it is to find, the better they like it. Keep your trash covered with a lid whether it’s in your home or just outside. Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight as roaches can detect a possible food source from far away. Wipe down your counters, appliances and other kitchen areas to pick up any crumbs or spilled liquids. If you have pets you keep outdoors, make sure their food is locked up whenever possible. Roaches will gladly eat pet food if it is easily accessible.

3. Create an impenetrable barrier.

Roaches get into buildings from the outside, so it’s a good idea to target areas around your home or business. Use caulk to seal cracks around the foundation, and pick up any debris in the yard that could harbor roaches. Having a Western Exterminator specialist apply a treatment to the perimeter is a good idea, as it will stop roaches from crossing the barrier to the inside.

Contact Western Exterminator in Arizona for cockroaches

If you have roaches, it’s time to call in the professionals. Arizona’s Western Exterminator specialists understand how to find and track down the cockroach infestation. They can root out the current infestation, getting rid of roaches of all life stages. Our specialists will then discuss with you the best ways to prevent cockroaches from returning.

The first step is to get one of our highly trained professionals out to your property to inspect it and find the source of the infestation. Contact us today.