Cockroaches are one of the least welcome pests in New Yorkers’ homes, and not only can they be startling to come across, they can also be difficult to get rid of. To help you knock ‘em out for good, we’re covering the most common species of roaches in New York, how to get rid of roach infestations, and how to prevent roaches in the future.
Types of Cockroaches in New York
In New York, we see a few key cockroach species inside our homes, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. Here’s a glance at the top four species you might see in your home.
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are not only the most common species of roach found in New York, but the entire world. These roaches are usually light brown with two dark, parallel stripes which run down their ~.5” bodies. They prefer warm, humid environments like kitchens and bathrooms, but will hitchhike or work their way into most any place where humans eat or drink.
German cockroaches breed rapidly, and can produce as many as six new generations in a single year. Because female German cockroaches carry their egg pouches until they’re ready to hatch, infestations can spread easily and be difficult to knock out.
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are a larger species of roach (1-3” long) frequently seen in New York homes, and they also have one of the longest lifespans—roughly 2 years! These roaches are usually a reddish-brown color with a yellow band that outlines their heads.
Inside New York homes, American cockroaches are most likely to be spotted in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms, and beware—these are the type of roaches that have the ability to fly!
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded roaches are another species often seen in New Yorkers’ homes. These inches, measuring about .5” in length, are usually dark brown with lighter yellow bands on their wings and abdomens.
Inside, brown-banded roaches are commonly hiding in kitchen counters, bathrooms, and even behind picture frames.
Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental roaches, like American cockroaches, are a larger species of cockroach, measuring about 1” in length. These dark shiny-black or reddish-brown roaches linger in dark, moist, and undisturbed spaces. You may notice them near your home’s gutters, sewer, or storm drains.
What Attracts Roaches to My Home?
No matter the type of roach, we’re pretty sure you don’t want them in your home! Just like humans and animals, pests like roaches have basic essentials they need to survive. Typically if you end up with a roach infestation in your home, it’s because you’re providing one or more of their survival necessities: food, water, or shelter.
How to Prevent Roaches
It’s a common misconception that cockroaches only end up in dirty homes. While sanitation is of the utmost importance when preventing not only roaches, but household pests in general, it’s possible for even the cleanest New York homes to end up with roaches from time to time if the conditions are right.
Here are some simple ways to prevent roach infestations before they start:
- Seal potential entry points, such as gaps between walls or door and window seals that could use caulking.
- Remove brush piles and/or overgrown vegetation from your property.
- Secure the lids on your outdoor garbage cans (this will help with MANY pests, including stinging insects and critters like raccoons, too).
- Minimize readily-available water sources, such as water in planters, birdbaths, or children’s toys (this will also help greatly with mosquito prevention).
- Fix leaks immediately.
- Wash dirty dishes immediately; don’t let them collect in the sink.
- Regularly mop, sweep, and vacuum to minimize the collection of crumbs and spill residue.
- Store food in airtight containers and perishables in the refrigerator; avoid leaving food sources out on your kitchen counter which could attract roaches and other pests.
- Regularly wipe down your countertops and appliances.
- Don’t hold on to newspapers or cardboard boxes; roaches love them for breeding and nesting.
Knock Out Roaches for Good
If you’re dealing with a roach infestation, it can be difficult to identify and eradicate the issue using DIY pest control methods.
At Knockout Pest Control, we use a fully Integrated Pest Management approach, meaning we identify, inspect, and remove roaches from New York homes, and offer professional knowledge that’ll help you not only get rid of roaches but prevent future infestations.
Knock out roaches fast—call 1-800-244-PEST.
