07/08/20

Why Do I Have Cockroaches in My Wichita Home?

Cockroach on bread.

Cockroaches are one of the most common insects to invade homes across the US. There are two varieties of home-invading cockroaches in Kansas that you may come across: the American cockroach and the German cockroach. All cockroaches are very resilient and difficult to eradicate from the home without professional help.

American cockroaches are the largest cockroach species to invade homes and at full size can be up to two inches in length. They are typically reddish-brown in color. You can easily tell them apart from German cockroaches due to the distinct figure-eight located on the back of their head.

German cockroaches are the most common cockroach to invade homes. They’re smaller than American cockroaches, with adults growing up to ⅝ an inch in length. They’re light brown in color and have two dark stripes running down their backs.

Both varieties can be found all across Kansas, all year round. Be aware that roaches are very secretive and stealthy pests: if you spot a cockroach in your home, especially during the day, it’s a sign you’re dealing with a very large roach population.

How can I prevent cockroaches from entering my home?

It’s important to keep these dangerous pests away from your home. Cockroaches have been proven to carry up to 33 different kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.

Since cockroaches can be found year-round in Kansas, it’s smart to deploy the following tactics to prevent an infestation in your home at all times:

  • Keep food items sealed and dispose of decaying or expired food and beverages.
  • Clean up spills and crumbs, especially around kitchen appliances.
  • Maintain a clean home and remove clutter that can serve as hiding places.
  • Keep pet food in sealed containers.

Summertime provides unique challenges for preventing an infestation. Insects are cold-blooded, so they slow down and don’t reproduce nearly as much when the temperature drops. When summer rolls around, cockroach populations tend to explode.

For this reason, it’s important to be extra-vigilant during warmer months and to contact a professional if you suspect an infestation in your home. If you discover a cockroach problem in your home or business, you should contact the professionals at Schendel immediately.

How can Schendel Pest Services get rid of the cockroaches in my home?

Schendel can get rid of the cockroach infestation in your home or business with our cockroach control services. Targeted short-term solutions and long-term full home/commercial property plans can be put together to eliminate cockroaches and prevent them from returning. Give us a call or fill out the contact form on this page to get started!