American Roaches

What do American roaches look like?

American roaches are reddish brown and have a yellowish colored outline along the back of their head.  They have 6 legs and an oval shaped body. They are winged, and both the male and female can fly.  Adults grow to be about 2 inches in length making them the largest species of house invading roach.

american cockroach near pipe

Are American roaches dangerous?

American roaches are very dangerous to have invading your home; they are thought to spread over 30 kinds of bacteria, a number of parasitic worms, and many human pathogens.  Any bacteria and disease that they pick up on their bodies as they travel through trash, sewers, and feces will be brought into your home and spread throughout it.  Also, their shed skin and feces can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, especially in young children.

Signs of American roaches

When American roaches have infested a home, they leave behind several signs. Knowing what these signs are will allow you to get help for an American roach infestation as quickly as possible.

Finding their droppings; their droppings tend to build up in the areas that they hide in-basements, pantries, underneath sinks, and behind large appliances.  They are often confused with mouse droppings, but are blunt on each end and have ridges on their edges.
Seeing adult American roaches scurrying into drawers or other dark areas or noticing adults flying within your home.
Smelling a musty odor in the air of your home.  American roaches tend to live in large groups.  The odor comes from the pheromones that they give off.

Why are American roaches in my home?

American roaches usually live outside in warm, damp areas like underneath mulch and in flowerbeds; they are also a common site in sewer systems.  They often make their way into homes and other buildings while foraging for food.  American roaches enter through drains, pipes, and through spaces found underneath doors and around windows.  Once inside they often congregate and hide in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.

How do you get rid of American roaches?

Getting help from a professional is best when it comes to getting rid of American roaches because they move quickly and hide within the dark, hard-to-reach areas of your home. 

At Spencer Pest Services we can get rid of American roaches and keep them from invading your property with our year-round residential pest control services.  Our pest control professionals have the experience and training needed to find and safely eliminate all American roaches from your home.  Contact us today for more information about our American roach control services.

American roach prevention tips

Along with putting in place a pest control program, there are several things you can do in and around your home to prevent and deter American roaches.  Prevention tips include:

  • Caulk spaces found around exterior windows and doors.
  • Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
  • Regularly remove trash from your home.  Make sure that outdoor trash cans have locking lids on them.
  • Seal spaces found around utility entrances and make sure that all vents are secure in place.
  • In kitchen areas, quickly clean up crumbs and spills, routinely vacuum floors, and wipe down counters.
  • Store food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator.

To see how Spencer Pest Services can eliminate American roaches from your Greenville, Upstate of South Carolina, or northern Georgia property, call us today.

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