Nobody likes seeing a cockroach scurrying across the kitchen counter after flicking on the lights.
However, cockroach season is upon us, and it’s likely you may have dealt with a roach or two in some crevices of your home this spring. They gravitate towards moist places, which might explain their unwanted presence in your kitchen and bathroom.
Here’s everything you need to know about these creepy-crawlies, including how to manage an infestation:
When are cockroaches active?
When temperatures begin to rise, roaches tend to be more active, said Molly Keck, an entomologist with Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Extension Service.
“Depending on the species, cockroaches can be active all year because we have species that like to live in our house with us,” Keck said. “If our houses are set at a constant temperature, there’s no reason for them to decline.”
However, outdoor roaches in particular tend to be more active in the spring because of increased humidity and warmth.
“That is also the case for all insects because spring is in nature when things are going to be more active,” she said.
Roaches also tend to be more active at night, when they forage for food and mate, according to pest control company Orkin.
Are they bigger in Texas?
Not everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes cockroaches. However, Texas is home to the largest common roach, the American cockroach. These can grow to be longer than two inches and can fly short distances, according to PestWorld.org.
Other common species found in the state are the German cockroach, the smoky-brown cockroach and the Oriental cockroach, Keck said.
German roaches are some of the state’s smallest roaches and are known for dark stripes that run along their backs. They are an urban species, meaning they live primarily indoors, and prove to be more challenging to get rid of than other roaches, Keck added.
“German cockroaches are inside and just continue to grow inside,” she said. “So their populations can be really large, and that can make them more difficult to control.”
Are roaches a sign of filth?
Not necessarily, Keck said.
While cockroaches can move bacteria depending on where they crawl, they don’t transmit disease. But roaches in your home are probably a sign you should attend to some sanitation and humidity issues, Keck said.
In terms of any medical concerns, roach droppings, dander and exoskeletons can potentially trigger allergies in some people, especially in young children who suffer from asthma, Keck said.
How do you get rid of roaches?
Sanitation and exclusion are the best ways to control pests, Keck said. In other words, clean your house thoroughly and seal it up to keep roaches from coming in.
Roaches come indoors for two reasons: food and shelter. Eliminate any open food sources, including wiping up any crumbs after eating and sealing all food containers. Other sanitation practices include taking the trash out every night and not leaving dirty dishes in your sink.
Additionally, Keck recommends families eat food in one area of the house to limit the spread of roaches. She advises pet owners to seal up any dog or cat food after feeding.
When it comes to exclusion, Keck recommends caulking or sealing up any places where light is coming through. If you can slide a quarter through a crack, that’s enough for a roach to crawl through.
And while pesticides and baits are effective at killing roaches, they aren’t necessarily preventative measures to keep roaches away.
“Sanitation has to happen,” Keck said. “You can’t just control them alone with pesticides.”
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