Cockroach Identification

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are insects known for crawling through less than sanitary areas, multiplying quickly, and being difficult to eliminate from structures once they've found their way inside your Phoenix, AZ home. 

They have a flattened, oval-shaped body, six legs covered in spines, and very long antennae. While some species have wings, most cockroaches are incapable of flight or are weak fliers.

Several different cockroach species have adapted to living with people, using our San Diego area homes and businesses as a place to live and forage for food. In our region, the following cockroaches are most problematic:

• German cockroaches: These roaches are small and light brown to tan, with two horizontal black stripes behind their heads. 

• American cockroaches: These large cockroaches are reddish-brown with a yellowish pattern on their back that resembles a figure-8. 

• Oriental cockroaches: These cockroaches have smooth, dark bodies and an overall greasy appearance. 

• Turkestan Cockroaches: Females are dark brown to jet black with cream-colored markings along the edge of their body and behind the head. Males are brownish-orange or red with yellowish wings and cream-colored markings.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are quite dangerous when living anywhere near people. They spread diseases, contaminate food, trigger allergies, cause skin rashes, and are a risk factor for children developing asthma.

In addition to creating health risks, cockroaches are unwelcome because they cause damage to homes and personal belongings. They will stain walls, floors, and other surfaces with their excrement. They will feed on and damage things made from leather, glue, paper, and fabrics. Cockroaches will damage furniture, wallpaper, books, curtains, and clothing.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

If your homes or businesses provide cockroaches with the resources they are looking for, they won't hesitate to take advantage. There are many ways these pests can enter our structures, and their flat shape and small size make them difficult to avoid!

Things like open trash cans, pet food, gardens, and leaky outdoor fixtures can initially attract these pests to our yards. American, Oriental, and Turkestan cockroaches may then move into our homes as they forage for even more sources of food, water, and shelter. 

German cockroaches primarily live indoors, so they generally move from place to place inside of things like furniture, appliances, boxes, and deliveries. They will move from floor to floor or unit to unit through spaces in walls or under floors in multi-unit buildings.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Cockroaches are nocturnal; during the day, they hide in dark cracks and crevices. Cockroaches prefer to hide in tight spaces and like the feeling of something solid on their stomach and back. 

Inside, cockroaches gravitate to damp, dark areas that provide them with easy access to foraging sites — our kitchens, bathrooms, and crawlspaces can easily become home to cockroaches. 

Below are some cockroach hiding spots.

• The backs of drawers

• Behind cabinets and baseboards

• Cracks in walls and behind door or window trim

• Within furniture, rugs, and boxes 

• Inside folded laundry and within clutter 

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

With decades of experience, you can trust Green Flash Pest Control to rid your California or Arizona property of cockroaches. We understand how unwelcome these pests are and will take the fast action necessary to eliminate them and ongoing services needed to keep them from returning. We are a locally-owned, family-based company that takes protecting its community from unwanted pests seriously. Through our wide variety of pest control services, including German cockroach clean-out services for your home or business, outstanding customer care, and guaranteed solutions, the professionals at Green Flash Pest Control will take care of all your pest control needs!

Get rid of cockroaches in a flash by giving us a call today to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest management options.

How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?

Taking the following measures around your property will help prevent problems with these pests.

• Remove their easy access to food in your house by washing dirty dishes, storing food in the fridge or sealed containers, and frequently emptying trash cans.

• Vacuum regularly, not forgetting spaces under furniture and behind appliances.

• Place all trash bags into containers outside with locking lids.

• Regularly empty and clean out trash cans to remove food debris and sticky liquids.

• Check around your home for areas of standing water.

• Make sure your crawl space has adequate ventilation. 

• Inspect your home's exterior, repairing any openings you find that could allow cockroaches or other pests to get into your home.

• Before bringing boxes, delivered packages, furniture, or used appliances into your house, inspect the items for cockroaches.

• Put into place regular pest control services to prevent a full-blown infestation from happening inside your home.