Cockroaches are one of the vilest pests out there. They often gross people out when they see them in a bathroom or a kitchen. In the past, they were associated with unclean environments. However, it’s now known that almost any Mississippi household can have roaches.
Have you seen a cockroach in your home? Was it big or little? The size of the cockroach can determine what type it is and what damage it might do to your Mississippi home. Let’s learn how to identify the type of cockroach you have:
What Does an American Roach Look Like?
On the other hand, an American roach is roughly 1.5 to 2.25 inches long, and it often has a reddish-brown appearance with a yellow edge surrounding it. You might see them flying around because they do have wings, which makes them very strong flyers.
Typically, American cockroaches have these characteristics:
- The male’s wings can extend slightly beyond the tip of their abdomen.
- The female’s wings are roughly the same length as their abdomen.
- Nymphs are also similar in appearance, but they’re smaller and don’t have wings.
- Egg capsules for the American roach are usually black, brown, or dark red. They are also 3/8- to ½-inch long.
What Does a German Roach Look Like?
Usually, an adult German roach is between ½- to 5/8-inch long, and they are light brown or tan. These pests have six legs with one set of antennae. While they do have fully developed wings, they don’t fly. German cockroaches are best identified by their small size, and they have two dark lines running from their head to their wing.
Therefore, the biggest difference between big and little cockroaches is the species. German roaches are smaller, while American roaches are larger.
Why You Have Cockroaches in Your Mississippi Home
In most cases, cockroaches are attracted to any area where they can thrive. That means they’ve got to have access to a food source and high moisture levels.
If they can’t get the food and water they need, they often leave the premises.
Where Do Cockroaches Live?
Typically, German roaches are found in bathrooms and kitchens where it’s moist, warm, and close to a food source. They can eat almost anything, including toothpaste, glue, soap, and various human or pet foods.
An American roach, on the other hand, moves indoors when they have a food shortage or climate change outside. Most American cockroaches prefer dark, moist, and warm environments with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Usually, they get inside structures by being brought in from human belongings, but they can also come up from the sewer system through a drain or other migration form.
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
It has been reported in most states that cockroaches spread 33 kinds of bacteria or more. They can also spread seven different human pathogens and six parasitic worm types.
These pests pick up germs from the spines of their bodies and legs while crawling through sewage and decaying matter. From there, they carry these into food or onto the surfaces where food is prepared.
Studies have shown that some species of cockroaches have specific allergens on them, which cause allergic reactions and could make asthma attacks worse, especially for kids.
Can You Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Most Mississippi homeowners are shocked to learn that cockroaches are one of the hardest pests to get rid of. Once they get into your home, they can withstand forces of up to 900 times their body weight without any injuries. These pests are highly resilient and infest homes in explosive numbers if you don’t treat them quickly.
The German roaches are often seen in the kitchen, but they can be in other areas of the house. They’ve adapted to humans, making them more difficult to eradicate without hiring a professional pest control company.
If you feel that you may have a cockroach infestation, it is important to hire a pest control specialist. They should come to your home for a free inspection, create a customized plan of attack, and help you get rid of the roaches in your Mississippi home.
Steps to Prevent a Cockroach Infestation in Your Mississippi Home
For most Mississippi homeowners, the goal is to prevent the German or American roach from invading your home. There are certain things that you can do, such as:
- Keep the floor of your kitchen swept and clean. Doing this regularly can help to remove fallen food crumbs and keep the space free of dirt and debris.
- Clean under all of your kitchen appliances to get rid of all food residue. You should also wipe down counters after every meal.
- Keep all of your food in sealed containers. Things like cereal boxes are easily opened, and bugs can quickly get inside.
- Do not leave food in your dog bowls overnight. Put them in plastic baggies and into an airtight container at the end of the day.
- Keep out excess moisture from your bathroom. Use the exhaust fan or put in a dehumidifier to help.
- Make sure your bathroom floors are clean and swept. Don’t forget to clean under the sink and counter regularly.
- Eliminate the clutter in your house as much as possible. This can include cardboard, paper bags, plastic bags, and much more.
Hopefully, if you follow all of those steps, you aren’t likely to have cockroaches in your Mississippi house. However, if you do notice a German roach or an American roach in your home, professional intervention is necessary to control the infestation and eliminate the pests.
If you are worried about the cockroaches that you see, consider vacuuming them up. This is a great interim method of control until your pest control professional arrives at your house.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between big cockroaches and little cockroaches is important. The American roach is much larger than the German roach. However, having any kind is a concern.
If you notice a cockroach in your home, it often indicates that more are present but unseen. It is best to call a pest control company for an inspection. These professionals can check out your home and give you the peace of mind to know what pest you’re dealing with and how to eradicate them.
If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.
Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here at Synergy² Jackson Pest Control!