Cockroaches have been bothering homeowners for centuries. In fact, the belief is the first cockroaches roamed the Earth over 280 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs were around. These little bugs are known for their hardiness and have become experts at surviving extreme conditions.
At Bay Pest, we have dealt with these bothersome bugs for decades. The one type of roach that our Bay Area pest control specialists see the most is the German cockroach. This species is not only extremely invasive but can also be potentially dangerous to have around.
Why German Cockroaches Are At Peak Activity Around the Bay Area
Roaches in the Bay Area can be homes all year long. However, they tend to be most active from May until September. Summer seems to be their most active season because they thrive in warm and humid conditions.
While they are roaming around in the summer, they will be on the lookout for an area that has plenty of accessible food and water. If they find accessible food and water in your home, they are likely to find a place where they can safely live within your home. Once a German cockroach invades your home, it can take a few months before you have a full-blown cockroach infestation. Most of the time, the roaches you see in your home in the winter, first enter your home during the summer.
How Roaches Get Into Bay Area Homes
Roaches are sneaky insects with small, flat bodies that allow them to squeeze through tight spaces easily. Sometimes, roaches will come into your home by slipping through tiny gaps and cracks, especially around doors and windows. They can also travel through the pipes in your home and crawl out of sink and bathtub drains.
In addition to walking into your home on their own, roaches will commonly find their way into your home by accident. Cockroaches are fast and easy to overlook. If you get too close to a bug, it will likely climb onto your clothing or bags and hitch a ride back to your house. Sometimes, roaches will hide inside furniture and beds. If you unknowingly bring a roach-infested couch into your home, you will soon see a full-blown roach infestation.
Five Essential Tips To Prevent German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are highly invasive. The best way to handle a cockroach infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If you want to prevent cockroaches from coming into your home, you should do the following:
- Make sure to put up your pets' food and water dishes as soon as they have finished eating.
- Keep all cereal, cookies, and other pantry food in a sealed container.
- Place a screen over the outside vent of your home and the drains inside.
- Keep all areas of your home well-ventilated, and fix any moisture issues inside or outside your house.
- Take out the trash regularly and make sure to place lids over the outdoor trash cans.
Once a roach finds its way into your home, a severe cockroach infestation doesn't take long to develop. The best way to keep your home cockroach-free is to take active steps to prevent them from entering.
Don't Wait To Get Treatment If Cockroaches Have Gotten Into Your Home
If you see any roaches in your Bay Area home, call us as soon as possible. The faster you handle the problem, the sooner you have a roach-free home again. Call the experienced cockroach control professionals at Bay Pest today and see how we help you quickly get rid of the roaches in your home.