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Cockroach Control
The two most common cockroach species encountered in homes and businesses in Massachusetts are the German cockroach and American cockroach species.
Though both are cockroaches, their appearance, behaviors, and control methods are very different. American cockroaches are invasive roaches that generally enter buildings through broken sewer pipes or structural gaps below ground.
The German Cockroach
Is the most common cockroach which may be taking up residency in your space. This type of cockroach thrives with the presence of humans and reproduces very quickly and generally found in kitchens and bathrooms. A single mated female can produce several thousand new cockroaches in just a few months. The German cockroach reproduces three times faster than other varieties.
Identification: Adults can up to a half an inch long and are light brown with two dark stripes running lengthwise behind the head. Nymphs are smaller with a tan strip down the middle of the back.
The American Cockroach
Prefers dark, moist areas such as basements and crawl spaces. They are often found in floor drains, sump pumps, pipe chases and sewer systems. This species travels long distances from their aggregation sites and also reproduce slower than the German cockroach but is often offset by their size.
Identification: Adults measure up to 1 and a half inches long and are reddish brown, with a pale yellow band around the edge of the area behind the head. Nymphs are smaller and similar in appearance.
American cockroaches in Boston tend to invade buildings from basements or crawlspaces and sometimes invade upper floors. This is especially true in older building with steam pipe heating systems. Long term control of American cockroaches is achieved by identifying and repairing the points-of-entry to the building.
Everything You Need to Know About Cockroaches
German cockroaches are much smaller than American cockroaches, and these are the roaches that commonly infest multifamily housing properties, restaurants, grocery stores, and almost anyplace else where food, water, and warmth exist. German cockroaches are closely related to inadequate sanitary practices and housekeeping, but not always. Because these cockroaches are so small, they can easily be transported and introduced into buildings without notice. Once inside, these roaches have the ability to establish infestations rapidly.
The reproductive capacity of German cockroaches is one of the biggest reasons for their success and survival in buildings. Each egg capsule (called an ootheca) possesses as many as 40 separate eggs. If your building has been challenged by German cockroaches for an extended period of time, you may require an Intensive Treatment Protocol (ITP) service. Cockroaches are common in Massachusetts homes and businesses. Contact our office at (888) 780-0110 to speak with an entomologist for more details.
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Health & Education
Cockroaches are repulsive and embarrassing but they are also known to be carriers of more than 40 varieties of bacteria, germs parasitic worms, and other human pathogens. Cockroaches move freely from filth to food, they can transfer pathogenic microbes which may cause food poisoning and other illnesses.
When infestations are severe; asthma among children is very common, also many people have allergic reactions to cockroach excrement and their sheded skins. Symptoms can be mild to severe such as congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. In rare cases bronchial inflammation caused by cockroaches can be life threatening.
Prevent
Cockroaches love dirty garbage cans, sewers, drains, and dark, damp places with food sources nearby. These food and water sources need to be addressed regularly. Spills and food waste should be cleaned up, and unwashed dishes, utensils and pet food should not sit overnight. Garbage should not accumulate and stacks of paper bags, cartons, newspapers be discarded or stored in sealed plastic bags. Just like many other pests cockroaches also invite themselves in through cracks and crevices in the foundation of your property. Take some time to inspect, caulk and replace holes and openings where cockroaches and pests can penetrate.
Control
The first step is a very thorough inspection and following our custom Integrated Pest Management Plan. Cockroach infestation are best controlled by using a combination of techniques. Proper sanitation and cleaning is an important first step in control and continued prevention. Our technicians will carefully inspect usual breeding places, including nooks, crannies, and crevices. After all the sources of infestation have been exhausted, our team will proceed with treatment which may includes applying products, setting bait stations and traps.
Why Call Us?
We strictly follow a customized Integrated Pest Management Plan to control your problem pest. We pride ourselves in not over promising and underdelivering. Our technicians are required to perform a thorough inspection on each visit. We work with homeowners and business owners to eliminate the issue and work with you for further prevention. We also do not require yearly service plans. However it may be necessary to return for future inspections and treatments to completely eliminate your pests.
Let’s talk. We’re here to assist you with any pest concerns you may have.
We serve all of the following Massachusetts cities & towns:
Abington, Acushnet, Acton, Andover, Arlington, Ashland, Athol, Attleboro, Avon, Barnstable, Bedford, Belmont, Berkley, Beverly, Billerica, Boston, Bourne, Boxborough, Braintree, Brewster, Bridgewater, Brockton, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Canton, Carver, Chatham, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Cohasset, Concord, Danvers, Dartmouth, Dedham, Dennis, Dighton, Dover, Dracut, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Essex, Everett, Fairhaven, Fall River, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Foxboro, Framingham, Franklin, Freetown, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Harvard, Harwich, Haverhill, Hingham, Holbrook, Holden, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hull, Ipswich, Kingston, Lakeville, Lancaster, Lawrence, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mansfield, Marblehead, Marion, Marlborough, Marlboro, Marshfield, Mashpee, Mattapoisett, Maynard, Medfield, Medford, Medway, Melrose, Mendon, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleborough, Middleboro, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Millis, Milton, Nahant, Natick, Needham, New Bedford, Newbury, Newburyport, Newton, Norfolk, North Andover, North Attleboro, North Reading, Northborough, Northboro, Norton, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plainfield, Plainville, Plymouth, Plympton, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Reading, Rehoboth, Revere, Rochester, Rockland, Rockport, Salem, Sandwich, Saugus, Scituate, Seekonk, Sharon, Sherborn, Shirley, Somerset, Somerville, Southborough, Southboro, Stoneham, Stoughton, Stow, Sudbury, Swampscott, Swansea, Taunton, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Walpole, Waltham, Wareham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, West Bridgewater, West Newbury, Westborough, Westboro, Weston, Westport, Westwood, Weymouth, Whitman, Wilmington, Winthrop, Woburn, Worcester, Wrentham, and Yarmouth.