Illinois Cockroaches

Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and have evolved themselves to live in nearly any conditions. These pests can come into your house from the outside, as well as hitch a ride from other infested areas, such as grocery stores and restaurants, making them even more difficult to get rid of. The following article will help you identify the most common kind of cockroach found in Illinois, as well as how to get rid of them.

Illinois Cockroaches

Three of the most invasive species of cockroaches found living throughout Illinois are Oriental cockroaches, German cockroaches, and American cockroaches.

German Cockroaches
German Cockroaches have bodies that are light brown to tan in color. They have two unique black stripes running horizontally down behind their heads. These cockroaches are common inside homes and businesses, especially restaurants. They have wings but rarely use them.

American cockroaches
American cockroaches have bodies that are dark reddish-brown in color. They are the largest household-invading cockroach in the United States. American cockroaches have a distinct yellowish-colored figure-eight pattern located behind their heads. Both males and females are strong fliers.

Oriental cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches have smooth bodies and are shiny-black in color. These cockroaches emit a  powerful, musty, foul-smelling odor. Oriental cockroaches do not fly.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are unwanted and feared pests due to the dangers they pose to people. They contaminate food, food prep areas, dishes, and other surfaces of homes or businesses with their excrement and saliva. They also carry a whole host of bacteria, pathogens, and parasites on their bodies and legs. Cockroaches spread a wide variety of diseases and infections, including dysentery, salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, and E. coli. Roach feces, saliva, and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, especially in children. Cockroaches rarely bite people, but your chances of receiving a bite increase in the case of a large infestation.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Most species of cockroaches are attracted to properties that provide dark, damp, warm environments. They also prefer properties that offer easy access to food and water sources. Properties with leaky pipes or fixtures, open containers of trash, gardens, mulch, trees, compost piles, pet food, or livestock feed attract cockroaches. Cockroaches often enter homes while foraging for food. They move inside through openings found around windows and doors, and cracks inside homes’ foundations and exterior walls. They are also commonly introduced into homes inside mail, boxes, packages, potted plants, used appliances, electronics, furniture, or rugs.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Cockroaches are found living in a variety of places. German cockroaches prefer to live inside in warm, humid environments like bathrooms and kitchens. American and Oriental cockroaches are found living both outside and inside. American cockroaches living outside are found in flower beds, underneath mulch, on trees, and in sewers. Inside, they like to live in warm, dry areas and can be found living around large appliances, heating vents, and ducts. Oriental cockroaches live in and around piles of garbage and other decaying materials. Inside, they are found in damp, cool locations, such as in basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

The best solution to a cockroach infestation is a professional solution. At Pest Control Consultants, our certified St. Charles pest technicians provide outstanding cockroach control solutions to eliminate your current pest problems and prevent future problems with pests.

The experts at Pest Control Consultants are dedicated to using the latest scientific techniques and up-to-date products, practices, and procedures to get rid of and control cockroaches and other household-invading pests.

How can I prevent cockroaches In the future?

Keeping roaches out of your home can be difficult.

Here are some helpful tips that you can do to deter roaches from infesting your property:

• Seal gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Make sure weather stripping is in placed around all exterior windows and doors.
• Install door sweeps.
• Replace any torn screens.
• Repair leaky pipes, fixtures, and drains.
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in your home.
• Maintain gutters to direct water away from the outside of your home.
• Make sure outdoor trash cans have locking lids placed on them.
• Keep all food inside air-tight containers or in the refrigerator.
• Quickly clean up spills and crumbs.
• Regularly vacuum and mop floors.
• Keep storage areas clean and free of clutter.
• Inspect all packages, boxes, appliances, and furniture for cockroaches before bringing them inside.

Illinois Cockroaches

Cockroaches are not native to North America. They were introduced to the continent from Africa in the 1600s.

Cockroaches are nocturnal animals, meaning they spend their days hiding in dark places, such as crevices and cracks in your home, only coming out at night when it’s cooler.

Cockroaches are attracted to foods that have high sugar content, such as bread and sweets. They also like starchy foods such as pasta and cereal.

Cockroaches can be found throughout the United States, but they are more common in warmer climates with higher humidity levels like Florida, Louisiana and Texas than they are in colder parts of the country like New England or Montana where winters can be very cold and dry which makes it harder for them to survive outdoors without some kind of shelter or hiding place like a tree bark crevice or somewhere inside your home where temperatures stay above freezing (32 degrees F) all year long without any interruption whatsoever (such as during power outages).

List Of Illinois Cockroaches