ANTS IN THE HOUSE: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS AND HEALTH CONCERNS IN AIKEN

Aiken faces all sorts of pest problems, although none of them are quite as difficult to manage as cockroaches. These creepy crawlies can invade homes in huge numbers and take over kitchens and bathrooms with ease. If you wait too long to address the issue, you may have to face a serious, long-term infestation.

Fortunately, there are several different ways to get roaches out of your home, even if you're struggling with a chronic infestation. The right education and professional pest control partner can make quick work of the roaches plaguing your property. Plus, you can use different techniques and best practices to prevent future infestations from knocking on your door.

This article explains how to manage each of these tasks in the most effective way possible. First, we cover cockroach problems in detail and explain how to identify their presence around your home. Then, we point out health risks and property damage so you can make educated decisions about cockroach control. 

Are you looking for an immediate solution to your cockroach problem? We also explain how Aiken Pest Control can help with cockroach control in Aiken (and provide the prevention steps we recommend for long-term protection).

For now, let's take a closer look at how you can identify cockroach activity around your home.

Understanding The Cockroach Problem: Identifying The Culprits

Cockroach infestations often spiral out of control when left to their own devices. That's why catching their activity as early as possible can help you stop infestations before they become too dangerous.

There are three common roach species common to Aiken: the German cockroach, the American cockroach, and the oriental cockroach. Although they share many characteristics (and similar hazards), they also have different exteriors, habits, behaviors, and preferences.

Here's what you should know about each one:

• The German Cockroach: The German cockroach is one of the most common household pests in America. It's also an extremely prolific pest here in Aiken. The light tan colors, two dark stripes, and folded wings of this roach are a giveaway for this pest. However, you're not likely to spot these pests roaming about during the day. The most tell-tale sign of their presence is their droppings.
• The American Cockroach: Often growing to over two inches in length, the American cockroach is the largest roach species in Aiken. Their reddish-brown carapaces, long antennae, and spikey legs can help you identify them from afar. Since a female American cockroach can create more than 150 new roaches per year, it's crucial to focus on remediation as soon as possible.
• The Oriental Cockroach: Sometimes referred to as the waterbug or black cockroach, the oriental roach can be a difficult pest to remove. These insects need lots of humidity to survive and usually choose to live in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Although they only live for six to 12 months on average, female roaches can produce more than 200 eggs throughout their lifetimes.

The good news is that you're unlikely to have multiple cockroach species living in your home. The bad news is that one roach species is more than enough to take over your home. Waiting to address an infestation could lead to significant repercussions, posing health risks and property damage affecting you and your loved ones.

Let's take a closer look at what these dangers are.

Health Risks And Property Damage: The Hazards Of Cockroaches

There's a good reason why cockroaches have such a reputation for harm. These tiny insects can pack quite a punch and may present several different threats to your home, family, and health.

For starters, cockroaches can spread all sorts of illnesses to both humans and pets. Since they prefer to hide out in trash cans, drains, and sewers, they're often exposed to viruses and bacteria. Roaches then crawl around your countertops and tables, which exposes you to various germs that can potentially get you sick.

Just how many diseases can cockroaches carry? Researchers know of at least 33 different types. These include bacteria, viruses, and even parasites, including hookworms and whipworms. Dogs and cats can also acquire hookworms since roaches feed on dry pet food whenever it becomes available.

In fact, cockroaches can feed on just about any food that's easily accessible in your home. This includes leftovers, crumbs, and spills. Remember: it doesn't take much to keep a tiny roach alive, and a single dirty dish can look like a smorgasbord to pests.

When cockroaches aren't contaminating your food, they're contaminating your home instead. These pests scatter droppings across your home as they feed, leaving you with small 'coffee grounds' underneath couches and inside corners. Apart from being just plain unattractive, droppings can also stain certain surfaces and even clothes.

In addition to the illnesses roaches can cause, you may have to contend with cockroach allergies. If enough roaches enter your home, some sensitive individuals may experience an allergic reaction. This is typically mild and more of a nuisance than anything else, but be warned – you may experience coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing when faced with a cockroach infestation.

Addressing cockroach infestations may feel intimidating to those without much pest control experience. However, it's just another day in the life of a professional pest control company. That's why the best way to eliminate cockroaches for good is to contact the team at Aiken Pest Control for a professional cockroach remedy.

Let's take a closer look at the reasons why.

Expert Cockroach Elimination: Call In The Pros Right Away

The best way to prevent cockroach problems from becoming a reality is to work towards roach control as soon as possible. Aiken Pest Control would be more than happy to help, offering a full range of high-impact solutions to address your unique needs. We're not just any pest control company – we're one of South Carolina's highest-rated management firms.

We like to approach cockroach removal and control through a simple three-step process. It's designed to address your unique needs without forcing you through a cookie-cutter process. It also ensures we offer the best possible services at the most affordable price.

Our first step is to listen intently to your needs so we can personalize our pest control approach. We also schedule an in-person inspection to check out your environment and identify the species in question. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about our services, approach, or treatment techniques.

Speaking of treatment, applying cockroach treatments is the second step we take after confirming your needs with our team. We offer year-round pest control and robust reporting, so you're always in the know about what's going on.

Finally, we follow up with you once per quarter to ensure the removal of roaches from your home. Since we offer a full cockroach control guarantee, you can rest assured knowing your pests are gone for good. On the slight chance they do reappear, simply give us a call – we can address your concerns at no additional cost.

If you find a cockroach in your house, you can speak with a representative from Aiken Pest Control today. Feel free to give us a call during business hours or submit an online contact form to request information from our team.

Proactive Prevention: How To Prevent Cockroaches From Returning

Now that you've thoroughly treated your home against cockroaches, you need to use prevention steps to keep them out. There are all sorts of different options available to you, although we've picked out some of the best on your behalf.

These cockroach prevention tips are:

• Keep your home clean. Cockroaches have an intense love for clutter around the house, especially since it provides so many opportunities to hide, thrive, and raise their young. To prevent this, get rid of clutter promptly and remove any boxes, toys, or trash bags sitting on the ground. You may also want to clean underneath furniture or in hard-to-reach places like the tops of cabinets.
• Control food and water availability. For water, try repairing any leaky pipes or clogged drains to remove moisture from the home. Then, run dehumidifiers and hang desiccant bags to pull more water from the air. For food, store all leftovers in airtight containers, and don't leave open food on the counters. Any crumbs or spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent yourself from attracting roaches.
• Seal up your home. Cockroaches can fit through extremely small gaps, so filling up even the tiniest cracks and crevices can help to protect your home. For added protection, use waterproof caulking, weatherstripping, and under-door sweeps to stop pests from getting inside. 

Keep in mind these are cockroach prevention steps only – they aren't enough to get rid of an established infestation. If you need more immediate solutions for an existing cockroach problem, feel free to contact Aiken Pest Control as soon as possible. We look forward to serving you with effective local cockroach control.