Named after King Louis XVI of France, Louisville was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark. While it is quite a modern city today, it has a claim to fame as being one of the oldest cities west of the Appalachians. One pest west of the Appalachians that is quite at home in this “old” city is the American cockroach. Old or new, this cockroach does not care, it is happy to inhabit the area if the conditions are right.
What Do American Cockroaches Look Like And Where Do They Live?
American cockroaches have flattened bodies and heads, reddish-brown color with a yellowish figure eight, and move quickly on elongated, spiny legs. They average around an inch and a half in length but can grow to be over two inches long. Both male and female American cockroaches can fly short distances.
American cockroaches live primarily outdoors and enjoy warm, moist areas with dark environments. If food and water are scarce, they will move indoors. Some like sewers and drains, and others prefer shady, humid areas like flowerbeds and underneath mulch piles. Cockroaches are crafty; they can hitch a ride indoors on humans, through sewers, under doors, through basement windows, and garages.
Signs That American Cockroaches Are On My Louisville Property
Like all cockroaches, American cockroaches are nocturnal and expert hiders. The odds of seeing an actual roach are extremely small unless the infestation has grown to the point that they are crowded out of their hiding spots. In order to stop an infestation before it gets out of hand, it is important to look for some earlier indicators of American cockroaches. Be on the lookout for the following signs of a growing infestation:
- You may see small droppings that have blunt ends with ridges on the side.
- Keep an eye out for egg capsules. These tend to be about a quarter of an inch long and will likely be glued to surfaces near food, in basements, laundry rooms, behind appliances, or underneath cabinets.
- A musty odor that grows stronger over time is also a sign of a growing cockroach infestation.
- And of course be on the lookout for roaches themselves, especially when you first turn on the lights in the kitchen at night.
Little-Known Ways American Cockroaches Spread Disease In Louisville
Cockroaches in Louisville are filthy. If they move in, they can cause severe health threats. When they crawl through filthy places, they pick up bacteria, parasitic worms, and human pathogens on their bodies. These get transferred to your belongings when they crawl across surfaces on your property. In addition, their fecal droppings, saliva, and urine can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Louisville American Cockroach Attractions
Property owners are not without recourse when trying to combat these filthy pests. There are multiple steps residents can take both outside and indoors to prevent cockroach problems.
Outdoor Tips
- Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed and away from buildings.
- Mulch should be kept to three inches or less in-depth and gravel barriers are best around a property.
- Lumber, firewood, leaf litter, and other debris should be limited and stored well away from a structure.
- Create barriers for cockroaches by sealing small cracks with a silicone-based caulk. Be sure to check walls, gaps near electrical sockets and switch plates, and drains.
Indoor Tips
- Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors free of clutter and crumbs.
- Clean dirty dishes often.
- Clean up kitchen spills immediately.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Remove pet food after consumption.
Why Are American Cockroaches Hard To Get Rid Of?
Cockroaches pose some unique detection problems. Because they like to live in warm, moist, and dark places, seeing them can be difficult. While you might kill a few, finding the rest can be challenging. All these problems make it difficult for property owners to make sure they eliminate the entire infestation. Due to these unique challenges, property owners should call the home pest control professionals at Action Pest Control.
Action Pest Control provides environmentally friendly solutions to run these pesky critters away from your property. We know the American cockroaches' hiding spots! Let us find them and eradicate them for you. Contact us today to request a free estimate for the removal and prevention of cockroaches and other nuisance pests in the Louisville area.