A Handy Guide To Oriental Cockroaches For Denver Homeowners

oriental cockroach in kitchen
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Denver homeowners who understand how perilous pests can be put pest management on the top of their to-do lists. Pests can do significant damage to both buildings and belongings. Some are very physically aggressive and can bite you, and even the smallest bites or stings can send you to the doctor with an allergic reaction or a serious illness. Cockroaches are some of the most notorious carriers for harmful germs, and they reproduce fast. There are many species of cockroaches, and getting familiar with the unique characteristics of each could be useful to you, so you can know how to prevent or handle an infestation. Oriental cockroaches are one type that’s pretty prevalent in Denver; learn about how to to stop them with White Knight Pest Control. 

What Do Oriental Cockroaches Look Like? What Is The Risk?

Oriental cockroaches stick out visually from the rest of the crowd. They have compact black or reddish-brown bodies with glossy skin and wings that don’t have a function. Size-wise, they are about an inch long. 

Often called “water bugs,” Oriental cockroaches desperately need liquid to survive. They also rely on being close to organic matter, plants, and rocks. Seeing as how they surround storm drains, gutters, and utilities, it’s relatively easy for them to get indoors. They’ll crawl through holes around windows, doors, and foundations, and you’ll likely see them in structural voids, sinks, trash, and beneath cabinets at night. Since they're nocturnal, if you spot one during the day, you have an infestation. Additional signs are:

  • Odors: The communication secretions and chemicals these bugs release are musty smelling. It can modify flavor and scent in food.
  • Droppings: You’ll see black or brown fecal particles in floor corners and drawers. Look out for it on surfaces and door frames as well. 
  • Eggs: Reddish-brown or brown casings and eggs that are about 1/3 of an inch long will be in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. 

Cockroaches are major carriers of germs, microbes, and pathogens, which can be found all over their skin, as well as in their urine, feces, and saliva. When they run through filth, such as a grimy sewer, it only gets worse. The spines on their legs allow particles and microbes to attach, which then get carried everywhere the cockroach goes. These microbes will taint your food and surfaces when they access it, which can result in illnesses like salmonellosis and gastroenteritis, and can trigger allergy or asthma attacks. 

How Are Oriental Cockroaches Prevented? 

Oriental cockroaches can get inside without much work and they generate a lot of eggs. You can’t chance having to endure an invasion; you have to block them out in advance. These fairly simple tasks can keep cockroaches away:

  • Repair cracks and crevices near doors, windows, foundations, and utilities.
  • Have moisture problems and leaks fixed. 
  • Add sweeps to all exterior doors. 
  • Regularly prune greenery and cut grass. Set plants two feet away.
  • Clear out the gutters and drains frequently. 
  • Garbage and food must go in airtight containers. 
  • Vacuum, wash dishes, and remove trash routinely. 

How Can White Knight Pest Control Get Rid Of Oriental Cockroaches?

White Knight Pest Control employs experienced and skilled technicians who will safely apply curated treatments to exterminate cockroaches of all kinds. You won’t have to worry about the health of your pets, loved ones, or vegetation, because our solutions are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, and are low-toxicity and planet-friendly. Our services are guaranteed and affordable. Call us today to get started!