Cockroaches are thriving in the California heat. How to keep them out of your home
Cockroaches love the heat — meaning they are thriving in the California summer.
Although you may not want these pesky six-legged creatures in your home, plants and animals would suffer without roaches around, according to Indiana Public Media. The insects’ digestive systems break down waste.
Cockroaches do not have the same benefits for humans.
Roaches don’t bite, but American Pest Solutions warns that these pests can carry harmful diseases, including Salmonella and poliomyelitis, the virus that causes polio.
They can also contaminate food if they come into contact with it, spreading food-borne illnesses, according to a study by Environ Health Insights.
Why do cockroaches enter your home?
While there may be an idea that cockroaches swarm to houses that are not clean, that’s not usually the case.
Bill Donahue, an entomologist and the owner of Sierra Research Laboratories Inc. in Modesto, said cockroaches are scavengers and have adapted to survive in many situations.
“I think people thought that if you get cockroaches, you must have a dirty house,” Donahue said.
But what’s often the case is that cockroaches become more active in late spring and early summer as cold-blooded insects generally thrive in warm and humid weather.
The warmer it is, the more active the bugs are, UC Davis entomologist Lynn Kimsey previously told The Sacramento Bee for a previous story.
Usually, the cockroaches are in search of water.
Roaches are generally nocturnal creatures.
If they’re spotted during the day, it is a sign of a robust population, Kimsey said.
What kinds of cockroaches are common in California?
In California, there are eight exotic species of cockroaches.
The species that is the main cause for concern in the state is the American cockroach. Because this species can carry and spread bacteria, restaurant inspectors look out for the American cockroach as a sign of filth.
However, the ones most frequently spotted in California homes are the oriental and Turkestan cockroaches, which are fairly harmless insects, Kimsey told The Bee.
The German cockroach is the most common indoor species, according to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. This kind likes food preparation areas and poses a contamination threat,
Donahue said roaches come searching for nutrients and water.
It’s uncommon that an American cockroach — also found in California and a sign of filth — would make its way indoors, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Where are you most likely to find cockroaches?
Cockroaches are often seen in bathrooms or kitchens due to the accessibility to food and moisture from plumbing, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing.
The pests tend to hide in dark, moist places and can be found behind refrigerators, in kitchen appliances and the undersides of furniture, according to the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
If a few roaches find their way into your house or apartment, you shouldn’t panic, Kimsey said.
“They don’t cause any problems at all,” she said. “To get an infestation of one of the true pest roaches, you’ve got to have a pretty awful situation going on.”
What are signs of a roach infestation?
Here are some signs that cockroaches may be in your home, according to the National Pest Management Association:
Droppings in dim areas of your home
Presence of egg capsules, which are about 0.3 inches long and dark colored
A musty smell
How can I keep bugs out of my house or apartment?
The National Pest Management Association recommends these tips to help prevent cockroaches from entering your home:
Seal cracks in walls and gaps near electric sockets
Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors free of clutter and crumbs
Don’t let dishes pile up
Avoid leaving food out in the open and store it in airtight containers
Vacuum at least once a week to remove food particles
Ventilate crawl spaces to prevent moisture buildup
If you suspect cockroaches are in your home, you should contact a licensed pest control professional
This story was originally published July 23, 2024 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Cockroaches are thriving in the California heat. How to keep them out of your home."
