Cockroaches

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches, or “roaches” as they are commonly called, are invasive pests that cause big problems inside commercial properties. Cockroaches have flattened, oval-shaped bodies, and six legs that are covered in spines. Their long antennae are usually the same length as their bodies. Many species of cockroaches are winged, but few species are great fliers. Cockroach nymphs look similar to adults, but they are smaller in size and are wingless.

Three common species of cockroaches that find their way inside commercial properties include German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches. 
  
German Cockroaches 
German Cockroaches have two distinct black stripes running horizontally down behind their heads. These cockroaches are especially problematic inside restaurants.

American Cockroaches 
American Cockroaches have a distinct yellowish-colored figure-eight pattern located behind their heads. Both males and females are strong fliers. 

Oriental Cockroaches 
Oriental Cockroaches have smooth bodies and are shiny-black in color. These cockroaches emit a musty, foul-smelling odor.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches in Kansas and Oklahoma are dangerous pests. They should be kept out of commercial businesses, and away from inventory, customers, and employees. Before finding their way into your business, cockroaches were traveling through and feeding on some less-than-sanitary items, including garbage, drains, sewers, excrement, and carrion. Roaches carry on their bodies and legs a wide range of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and human pathogens that can cause diarrhea, dysentery and salmonella poisoning. Cockroaches contaminate food sources and food prep areas. Their shed skins and feces can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes, or trigger asthma attacks in people, especially in young children. The presence of cockroaches in or around your commercial facility has the potential to significantly damage its reputation, causing a loss of customers, revenue, and employees.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches are attracted to commercial properties that provide easy access to food, water, and shelter. Leaky pipes and fixtures, outdoor eating areas, open trash containers, compost piles, animal feed, kitchen areas, and dirty dishes attract cockroaches. Cockroaches can also be introduced into businesses through deliveries, packages, or even on the personal belongings of customers or employees.

Where will I find cockroaches?

• German cockroaches nest in warm, humid, dark, secluded places, including behind appliances, in kitchens and bathrooms, in laundry rooms, and in food storage areas.
• American cockroaches prefer to live outside on trees, in garden areas, underneath mulch, and in sewers and drains. They move inside while searching for food and when the weather outside becomes too hot and dry. Inside, they nest in humid areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and basements.
• Oriental cockroaches live in dark and damp places like sewers, drains, floor drains, and damp basements.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

The best way to rid your Kansas business of invasive and dangerous cockroaches is to partner with a pest control professional. At Pinnacle Solutions, we specialize in providing customer-focused, commercial pest control services to protect a wide variety of facilities and industries from difficult to control cockroaches. To learn more about the roach control services we offer, contact us! 
  
Our team of experienced professionals utilizes advanced treatments and eco-friendly products to accurately identify the cockroach species you're dealing with, and provide consistent treatment to solve your property’s cockroach problem for good. Learn more about our commercial pest control services and how they can help protect your Kansas City-area commercial property from cockroach invasions and the problems they cause. Reach out to us at Pinnacle Solutions for more information!

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Preventing problems with cockroaches can be a difficult task. There are several things you can do in and around your commercial facility to keep them from damaging your business and its reputation:

• Caulk cracks and crevices in your facility's foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weather stripping around exterior windows and doors.
• Keep delivery or garage doors closed when not in use.
• Make sure outdoor trash containers have tight-fitting lids.
• Seal spaces around wires, cables, pipes and other utilities entering your building through it's exterior walls.
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in your building.
• Keep outdoor eating areas cleaned up.
• Inspect packages and deliveries for cockroaches before bringing them inside.      
• Maintain a cleaning schedule for your facility.