As a homeowner, you probably take great pride in being able to do things on your own. Whether it's mowing your lawn or fixing a leak, you might enjoy handling problems without professional help. That said, some things are best left to the professionals, and cockroach control is one of them.
Cockroaches Are Common Home Invaders
If you live in Southern California, you're bound to come across a cockroach or two. They are found throughout the area, entering homes and causing problems as they do. As one of the most common house pests in Southern California, you need to actively try to keep cockroaches out.
Unless you've had training, you might not know much about cockroach prevention. There are several types of roaches in the area, and identifying them is challenging for the untrained eye. By far, the largest home-invading cockroach in the area is the American cockroach. The German cockroach has two bands on its head, while the Oriental cockroach is large and dark in color.
They're Dangerous
One reason you should call the pest control professionals for help is the fact that cockroaches are dangerous. While they don't bite or sting, they do have the potential to make you sick. They hang out in filthy places and pick up pathogens. As soon as they enter your home, they start leaving behind a trail of bacteria. Because cockroaches are disease carriers, they should be avoided at all costs. They can also trigger allergies and asthma. Even having one cockroach in your home is hazardous, so prevention is critical.
It's Impossible To Keep Them Out
On your own, you stand no chance against cockroaches. To understand why that is, you need to think about what attracts them into your home in the first place. They seek out food, which can come in the form of dry food, garbage, and crumbs. No matter how hard you try to limit this food supply, you'll find it challenging to eliminate all food sources.
Cockroaches also seek moisture, and some of them thrive in it. Certain areas of your home, like bathrooms and basements, have naturally high humidity levels. While a dehumidifier can help the situation, it won't fix it.
They Breed Quickly
Cockroaches have a surprisingly short breeding cycle. After only a few weeks, you could develop an infestation. This comes with two challenges. First, you need to act quickly. If you don't take care of the problem immediately, the cockroach population will explode.
Second, this rapid cycle means that you need to eliminate all of the roaches to get rid of your problem. If you have a few cockroaches remaining, you won't have to wait long for them to reproduce over and over again.
DIY Tricks Don't Work
There's no shortcut to effective cockroach control. To save money, you might opt to try a cockroach spray or trap. However, this won't be 100% effective. Not all of the products are effective, and some of them are harmful to your health. By trying to take on the role of your own pest control technician, you put your family in danger.
In the end, your attempt to save money will do more harm than good. When your efforts fail, you could develop an infestation. Whether someone gets sick or you have to replace the food in your pantry, you'll suffer.
The best way to protect you and your family from the dangers of cockroaches is with assistance from a pest control professional. Here at Excel Pest Management, we're always standing by to help. Contact us now to learn more about our cockroach control services.