Cockroaches

There are at least 4,000 known cockroach species in the world. Thankfully, not all of them are found in the United States. In addition to this, only 30 or so will enter human habitats. Chicago is home to five species. Before you right this wrong, you need to know which species you’re dealing with. Although it seems easy, it’ll be harder than you could ever imagine. The problem is that there are numerous species and minor differences between them. It is often best to work with a qualified exterminator to ensure that the problem can be taken care of promptly. Our technicians will quickly identify the species before eliminating them.

Which Species Are Found In Chicago?

Ultimately, the two most common cockroach species in Chicago are the American cockroach and the German cockroach. You’ll learn more about them below.

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches grow over half an inch. They’re light brown or tan. One thing that sets them apart from others is the fact that they have racing stripes on their head. The species and many others are prolific breeders. Therefore, the infestation will worsen quickly. Female German cockroaches can produce up to 5 egg capsules during her life. Each egg case can contain up to 40 eggs. These cockroaches like hiding under warm appliances.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches reach over an inch in length and they’re reddish-brown. It is common for American cockroaches to live a long time with some of them living for several years. They generally like infesting steam tunnels and sewer systems. They’re also attracted to dried plumbing traps and broken sewer pipes. If you find any of these cockroaches around your home, you’ll need to check for both.

Below, you’ll learn more about brown-banded cockroaches, oriental cockroaches, and other cockroaches in Chicago.

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroaches

You’re likely going to run into Pennsylvania wood cockroaches. Although they’re native to Pennsylvania and the eastern United States, they can be found in other states too. Males have full wings and grow up to 1 inch. Females have shorter wings and only reach three-quarters of an inch. These cockroaches usually aren’t pests and they do not reproduce inside. They like being around woodpiles, wood shingles, and blocked gutters.

Spotted Mediterranean Cockroaches

These small cockroaches only reach a third of an inch. They’re light tan and have a couple of dark speckles. These cockroaches are native to Europe and they haven’t been in the United States for long. Since their arrival, they’ve quickly spread across the United States. They’ll enter homes from outside but they rarely reproduce indoors. They’re attracted to lights so they may approach your home in the middle of the night.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches can grow over an inch and a quarter. They’re black or dark brown. Although male oriental cockroaches grow wings, females do not. These cockroaches have a lot in common with American cockroaches. However, it should be noted that oriental cockroaches can tolerate cold temperatures. Therefore, they’ll stay outside and consume garbage and feces.

Smokey Brown Cockroaches

These cockroaches can grow over an inch in length and they’re reddish-brown. They prefer staying in the southern states. However, they can travel north by hiding in shipping containers. They may cheap Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere.

Surinam Cockroaches

There are no male members of this cockroach species. Instead, the females carry eggs and give live birth when the eggs have hatched. These cockroaches are roughly three-quarters of an inch with light tan wings. They prefer being in warm locations so they don’t travel north often. If you find them around your property, they’re likely going to be in your greenhouse.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are only half an inch so they’re one of the smallest cockroaches. Although they’re a lot like German cockroaches, they do not have racing stripes. These cockroaches aren’t encountered often but they can still infest structures.

Why You Have Cockroaches At Home

It is hard to know why you have cockroaches in your home until you identify the species. Some of these cockroaches invade homes because they’re looking for food crumbs. Ultimately, this is the most common reason. However, cockroaches can also invade properties due to broken sewer pipes, dried plumbing traps, and other things.

How Dangerous Are Cockroaches

Are the cockroaches in your home dangerous? Ultimately, they can be. However, the severity depends on how large the infestation is right now. As it gets larger, the risks are going to climb higher. Cockroaches aren’t dangerous since they don’t bite or transmit disease. However, they are dangerous because they’re going to contaminate your food. They’re often the primary cause of salmonella poisoning. They can also make your asthma much worse. They thrive in garbage and feces. As a result, they may cause dysentery, diarrhea, and food poisoning.

Eliminating A Cockroach Infestation

Don’t delay attempting to rectify the problem. If you delay, the infestation is only going to worsen. Therefore, you need to address the problem as quickly as possible. First, you should work diligently to keep your home clean and tidy. Make sure that you’ve done everything you can to clean your home. Get rid of leftovers and clean up food crumbs. Even if you do this, there is a risk that cockroaches are going to enter your home. DIY methods often do not work. We believe it is wise to work with a professional exterminator. Doing so will give you greater peace of mind since you can sleep soundly knowing that our techniques are effective and safe. Pesticides are usually required to eliminate cockroaches. Let us administer them so you can guarantee that everyone will be okay.

When Can The Process Begin?

We’re eager to help you rectify the problem as soon as possible. When you’re ready, call us and we’ll help you schedule an appointment. In general, it’ll take us 24 to 48 hours to contact you back.

Preventing Future Infestations Of Cockroaches

Don’t forget to do what you can to prevent cockroaches from invading your home. If you can stop them from entering, you won’t need to worry about using our services. Therefore, you should start cleaning your home more thoroughly. Make sure that these pests cannot find food in your home. You’ll also need to focus on properly sealing your exterior walls. Seal gaps around doors, windows, utility lines, and plumbing pipes. Doing this will make it harder for them to enter.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.