There are lots of pests that cause trouble for homeowners here in San Diego. One that you should know about is cockroaches. One problem is, many people misidentify these pests as beetles, and vise versa. If you would like to know how to identify a cockroach in your San Diego home, here are some things you should know today.
How To Tell The Difference Between Cockroaches & Beetles In San Diego
Both beetles and cockroaches are creepy-looking insects. Many would argue, however, that cockroaches are just a bit more unsettling to look at. What sets these pests apart is their appearance and their speed.
Appearance
How to identify a cockroach in your home can be tricky. Here is some information that may help. Cockroaches have flat bodies, relatively long legs, are oval-shaped, and are usually pale or dull in color. Most species of cockroaches have vestigial wings and can glide with them but not fly. Beetles are rounder, have smaller legs, and are typically much brighter in color. Most beetles in our area have wings that allow them to fly for short distances.
Speed
German cockroaches, the most common species in our area, are able to travel at three miles per hour, and they can transition between floors, walls, and ceilings without breaking their pace. These fast speeds and agility are common amongst all species of cockroaches in our area. Beetles have a much larger range of speeds. Some are incredibly slow while others move so fast that they blind themselves. Thankfully, most beetles in our area are slow-moving, until they take to the skies.
Where Do I Look For Cockroaches In My San Diego Home?
One thing we are regularly asked is: where do cockroaches hide inside a home? Most often, these pests stick to dark, secluded, and moist areas. Moisture specifically is something these pests seek out. You might find these pests under your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, or in other secluded areas like basements, crawlspaces, and storage rooms. If roaches feel threatened, they might retreat into your wall voids or other difficult-to-reach places. This is part of the reason why these pests are so difficult to remove from homes.
Are Cockroaches In San Diego Capable Of Spreading Disease?
Something you should be concerned about with cockroaches is getting sick. What diseases do cockroaches carry? Well, these pests pick up a variety of bacteria, pathogens, and parasites from the things they eat and the places they live. German cockroaches are known to spread 33 forms of bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 parasitic worms. These disease-causing organisms lead to sicknesses including campylobacteriosis, cholera, dysentery, giardia, leprosy, listeriosis, gastroenteritis, and salmonellosis.
Another way cockroaches get people sick is with their shed skins and dry fecal droppings. These by-products break down and become dust in the air. If you have allergies or asthma, this could mean breathing problems.
What Is The Best Spray To Kill Cockroaches In San Diego?
Something you should know about cockroaches is that they are difficult to eliminate. Although there are control products that you can buy, we highly recommend trusting the care of your home to pest control professionals. At Allswell Here, we use advanced cockroach sprays to deal with these invasive pests. All of our treatments are designed with you and your home in mind and are applied in areas where cockroaches are hiding or where they might run to escape. If you don’t know if your home is currently under attack, let us come out and perform a thorough inspection.
Call today to learn more about our cockroach control or to schedule your San Diego home for a visit.