Why Do Cockroaches Infest Your Home?

Cockroaches have been infested a lot of homes in Portland. There are thousands of roach species available, but only a few of them are considered pests. The majority of species live in the wild. Those that invade properties are classified as pests. To read more about roaches and how to control a cockroach infestation:

Kinds of Cockroaches

Below are the main species found in Portland

• German cockroach. This cockroach is light brown and has two dark stripes on its back. While this roach has wings, it chooses to run. You can find this species in any human environment. German roaches are found in food preparation areas and kitchens. Controlling these species is harder than other species as they can develop resistance to insecticides and have high reproductive rates. 
• American roaches. These species can be identified through their reddish-brown bodies. Also, they have a yellow band at their pronotum. They can be as long as 50mm. These species are active indoors and outdoors because they tend to infest the sewer system. 
• Oriental roaches. These shiny black roaches can be around one inch long. Male oriental roaches have short wings while their females do not have wings. They drive in damp environments, so they tend to live in basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.  

Reasons There Are Cockroaches in Your House

Roaches may infest your home due to the following reasons:

• Location. Roach infestations are common in some areas. American roaches are not related to unsanitary conditions. Thus, they may invade your house through window seal gaps or through an open door. 
• Accessibility. Cockroaches enter your house to find food, water, and shelter. Also, they can use small openings as entryways into your home. They can get inside through exterior wall cracks, gaps between floors and walls, and dryer vents. Inspect your home’s exterior and seal all entry points to prevent roaches from getting inside. 
• Moisture. As moisture is crucial to the survival of roaches, their search for water can bring them into your house, no matter how clean it is. Leaky faucets and pipes can attract roaches and are reasons they can be in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Also, the pests hide out under AC units and fridges to take advantage of the condensation available. Roaches can also drink from the water bowl of your pet.  
• Food sources. Cockroaches will constantly look for food. even if you have kept your kitchen spotless, roaches can still attack the area to eat. These creatures can feast on wallpaper paste, cardboard, grease, book bindings, human hair, soap, or leather. 
• Landscaping. Cockroaches will infest your yard to find their survival items. Standing water in bird births, gutters, and flower pots can attract these pests. Wood piles and compose also offer food and shelter. Roaches can also use recycling bins and trash as their food sources. They can hide in mulch, dense vegetation, leaf litter, and pine straw.

When cockroaches have set up camp in your house, they can be hard to eliminate without professional help. But store-bought products may help kill roaches. Also, you can prevent an infestation from happening by sealing up entry points, cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen regularly, addressing moisture problems, and keeping your yard clean.