Why You Should Check For Cockroaches in the Fall

Nothing is as unsettling as heading to the kitchen for morning coffee and discovering a roach scuttling across the floor–especially if you take pride in keeping your home clean. Before you start wondering if your home isn’t as tidy as you thought, remember the fall’s cooler temperatures push plenty of unwanted pests indoors, including some cockroach species.

Learn how to watch for cockroach infestation signs and discover a few ways you can stop them from living with you this autumn.

Why Do Cockroaches Appear During the Fall?

While cockroaches’ armored exteriors are rumored to aid them in surviving apocalypses, the reality is that they’re just as susceptible to cold weather as any other pest. At consistent temperatures below 50°F, and especially when it gets below freezing, cockroaches struggle to survive due to the lack of heat and humidity.

Of course, once outdoor temperatures dip, we tend to flip on our heating systems at home. If cockroaches discover your toasty living space, they may try to set up camp in your home during the colder months.

Where Do Roaches Come From?

Cockroaches can find several ways to access your home, and you may have trouble pinpointing just one way they’ve made their way inside. Many roaches squeeze in through cracks, drains, and crevices, while others take the Trojan horse route by sneaking in oh cardboard boxes and food supplies you bring into your home.

Additionally, if you own an older home or apartment, you may already have a colony of cockroaches living within the walls that venture further indoors for food and water during colder seasons.

What Does a Roach Look Like?

In general, cockroaches are oval-shaped insects that are brown or black, noted for their speed and long antennae. Below are some of the most common types of roaches folks discover in their homes:

• American Cockroach. Brown with wings, and can grow up to two inches in length. They often enter homes through drains, vents, and cracks to find somewhere moist and dark.
• German Cockroach. Though only 0.5 inches long, German cockroaches are annoyances nonetheless. Denoted by their light brown or tan coloring with two dark stripes on their backs, these bugs are infamous “hitchhikers,” riding in on clothes and goods you bring into the home.
• Oriental Cockroach. You can discover these black, inch-long roaches in your home if they gain entry through cracks under doors and windows, utility lines, and unsuspecting food packages to nestle into ground-level crawl spaces and basements.

Signs of Cockroach Infestation

No matter how tidy you keep your home, any food residue or garbage smell can attract these unwelcome guests. Below are some of the most common signs you have roaches residing in your living space:

• Allergy Symptoms. If you notice an uptick in asthma and allergy symptoms, especially after ragweed season ends, it could be the first sign of uninvited critters in your home. 
• Odd Smells. Their unpleasant appearance is not the only offputting trait about roaches. They also give off a musty, displeasing odor that gets stronger the longer your infestation lasts. 
• Signs of Feeding. A pantry raid can be a telltale sign of any infestation, and roaches can gnaw through cereal boxes, pet food bags, and even trash bags. 
• Roach Droppings. While droppings vary depending on the type of roach you’re dealing with, seeing pellets or pepper flake-esque specks lying around near cabinets or cracks could mean you have cockroaches.
• Smear Marks. Red or brown smears on your floor or countertop may have been left behind by wandering roaches, especially in humid rooms. 
• Egg Capsules. If you find small, ovular brown cases lying about your home, in crevices, and behind furniture, roaches may be in your home laying eggs.
• Seeing Bugs Around. Although cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer dark shelters during the day, they may find their way into your kitchen in the afternoon if there’s too much competition for food during the night.

Pest Control for Roaches

Attacking a roach infestation at the source typically requires a professional cockroach service. Still, you can be proactive by adopting tried-and-true best practices for maintaining a roach-free living space.

How To Prevent Roach Infestations

• Block Off Entry Points. Use caulk or stripping boards to seal any cracks and gaps a roach could squeeze through. Additionally, keep up with pipe and drain maintenance to eradicate attractive water leaks.
• Keep Things Clean. Sweep, mop, and vacuum your home regularly, taking special care to sanitize and wipe down cooking surfaces, cabinets, and food storage areas.
• Store Food Correctly. Seal food tight in storage containers, and avoid keeping uncovered cuisine out overnight.
• Take Out The Trash. Especially if you’ve got pungent food waste in your garbage cans, take out your trash frequently. Be sure your bags are tied tight and your trash barrels have secured lids.

How Much Does Pest Control for Roaches Cost?

On average, you’ll likely pay around $250 for cockroach services, though this varies depending on the severity of your infestation and your geographic location. Choosing a local pest control company for your state or region is often better, as they will likely have the best idea of tackling your roaches.

Rely on Accel Pest and Termite Control for Roach Control This Fall

When roaches infiltrate your living space, you can only do so much prevention before they take root in your walls and floors. However, with a combination of pest-preventing behaviors and professional assistance, you can help block these bugs out this autumn.

Contact Accel Pest and Termite Control online or call us today to receive hassle-free, pet-safe roach control. Our experts specialize in service areas around Ohio and Virginia to solve a range of pest control needs–including keeping cockroaches at bay.
Check out our blog for additional tidbits and tricks on keeping your home pest-free.