Most cockroach species that have been documented worldwide are not considered pests, but several species in the US frequently infest homes and buildings. The most common cockroach pest species include American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches and German cockroaches, the latter of which resides primarily within human dwellings. Cockroaches are one of the most despised and common house pests within the US, as American homeowners spend around 5 billion dollars per year on cockroach control. Unfortunately, controlling cockroach pests in and around homes is not easy, as cockroach pests have adapted to survive common insecticides. Cockroaches are also resilient insects that cannot be exterminated as easily as most other insect pests. For example, cockroaches can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes, and they can skitter across rooms at a speed of 59 inches per second, making the pests difficult to kill with bug spray and by squishing. However, cockroach infestations can usually be prevented simply by maintaining sanitary living conditions, and by minimizing moisture within homes.
No matter how many cockroaches people kill within infested homes, more cockroaches will take their place. In order to roach-proof a home properly all stored food items should be kept in tightly sealed containers, and dirty dishes should be washed immediately, and never left in a kitchen sink overnight. Since cockroaches dwell within high-moisture conditions, keeping bathrooms and kitchens as dry as possible will keep the pests from establishing shelter within a home. Cockroaches need copious amounts of water in order to survive, and water droplets within a sink provide roaches with a reliable source of water during the nighttime hours when they search homes for sustenance. Cockroaches often rely on dog and/or cat food as a food source within homes, so promptly cleaning your pets dishes after they eat will reduce the chances of an infestation. Surprisingly, cockroaches often consume cardboard, newspapers and magazines, and are attracted to homes where these items are abundant. This should finally give some residents a good reason to throw away old newspapers and magazines that have been stacking up for years.
Have you ever found cockroaches congregating around paper items, like newspapers and magazines?