We’re all looking forward to springtime, with its sunny days and pleasant, breezy nights. But as the temperature rises, so does the risk of cockroaches being brought to your home. More active and visible in the warmer months, these pests pose a risk to your health and hygiene. Cockroach infestations have a way of growing rapidly if not treated early on, so it’s vital to know the signs and who to call when you see them. Luckily, Watson Pest Management is here to help.

How to Know If You Have a Roach Problem

Cockroaches hide in dark and moist places during the day. They emerge at night in search of water, partners, and food. You may have a roach problem if you see the following:

Live or dead cockroaches in the house.
Roach droppings on your countertops, cabinets, floors, or walls.
Cockroach eggs in cracks and crevices around your home.
A musty or oily odor from roach feces and secretions.
Damage to your food, paper, fabric, or other items.

Types of Roaches in El Paso, Texas

Every roach infestation in El Paso operates a little differently. This is because cockroaches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each variety has its own tastes and prefers a different habitat. These are some of the common cockroaches in El Paso, Texas:

American Cockroach – This is the largest and most widespread roach in the U.S. It is reddish-brown with a yellow band behind its head. They can grow up to 3 inches long and fly short distances. American cockroaches like warm and humid environments and live off of various organic matter.
Asian Cockroach – A small and light brown roach that looks like the German cockroach, it can fly well and likes light. This flying cockroach lives outdoors in grassy areas but can enter homes through windows and doors. They subsist on a diet of plants and other insects.
Brown-banded Cockroach – A small and dark brown roach with two light bands across its wings and abdomen, it can grow up to half an inch long and does not fly. It likes warm and dry environments and hides in high places such as ceilings, cabinets, or appliances. It eats starches, glue, and cosmetics.
Field Cockroach – A small, greenish-brown, flying cockroach that resembles the German cockroach, it can grow up to half an inch long and fly short distances. It lives outdoors in fields and gardens but can enter homes through cracks and vents. It eats decaying plant matter and fungi.
German Cockroach – The most common and troublesome roach in the U.S., it is tan to light brown with two dark stripes behind its head. It can grow up to 5/8 inch long and does not fly. It likes warm and moist environments and hides in kitchens and bathrooms. It eats anything edible and contaminates food with bacteria and allergens.
Oriental Cockroach – A large and dark brown to black roach with a shiny body. It can grow up to one inch long and does not fly. It likes cool and damp environments and hides in basements, sewers, or drains. It eats garbage and organic waste.

How to Prevent and Eliminate Roaches

Roaches are easy to attract and notoriously difficult to get rid of. They’re resilient pests – some of the most on the planet – that survive harsh conditions and adapt to different environments. That’s why it’s so important to make the effort necessary to deter them from your home. Don’t be scared – it’s possible to keep out cockroaches by:

Cleaning and tidying your home.
Storing food in sealed containers or in the fridge.
Emptying and covering trash cans.
Vacuuming carpets and rugs.
Sealing cracks or gaps around doors, windows, pipes, wires, or vents.
Reducing moisture using dehumidifiers or fans.

If you’ve done all of this and still find yourself ridden with roaches, it’s time to call a professional. Our cockroach exterminators can help if you have a severe or ongoing roach infestation you cannot control. We have the expertise and equipment to inspect your home thoroughly, identify the type of roach you have, and apply the appropriate treatment methods safely and effectively.

Let’s see cockroaches the way they really are: more than just an annoyance, but a genuine danger to the health and safety of you and those around you. Do not let them ruin your spring season. Contact Watson Pest Management today for a free estimate on our quality pest control services. We will help you eliminate these unwanted guests once and for all.