Cockroaches 101

There are two things that every Florida resident can count on in the summer - hot, sticky weather and the potential for unwanted houseguests of the insect kind. Although we love the beautiful Stuart, Florida weather and surroundings, no one is crazy about the idea of bugs in their home. One very common problem many folks have to deal with at one point or another is cockroaches. Read on for some basic information about these pests and what you can do lessen their impact on your life.


Establish where the infestation problem areas are 
Make a close inspection of the cockroach's favorite places to hide. The kitchen is number one on their list. Check carefully in the area under the sink, around your appliances (dishwasher, fridge, stove, microwave). Then take a good look at your pantry and cupboards. Look for any evidence that they've been there - live or dead roaches, any feces or traces of eggs or egg sacs.

Also make certain you inspect your bathrooms very closely. Again, the areas under the sink or sinks are a likely place to find them, as well as cabinets, the shower and around the bathtub. If you have a crawlspace, check there as well. They love damp places, so these areas are natural stomping grounds for cockroaches.

Identify what type of cockroaches you're dealing with 
Consider buying some glue traps from your local home improvement store that you can set around areas that seem to be getting a lot of activity. One way to find out where they run to and hide is to plan a "surprise attack" at night - sneak into your bathroom or kitchen and turn on the lights. If any of them are around, they'll scurry away quickly. Place your traps in the areas where they headed. 

There are different methods for exterminating the unique types of roaches out there. Once one of them has taken the bait, you'll be able to show your pest control professional the type of cockroaches that have taken up residence.  This will help them know the most efficient and effective way to treat your problem.

Prevent your cockroaches from making a return visit 
Cockroaches need the same things we do to survive: water, food and shelter. You'll want to make your home as unwelcoming and unfit as possibly can for them to thrive.  Be certain that you're not providing them with access to your food; keep items in your pantry sealed in airtight containers, don't leave leftovers or dinner scraps out in the open. Keep cardboard boxes up off the floor. It's a good idea to have a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid. Keep your food prep areas clean and wiped down at all times, paying close attention to areas between appliances and your counters.

Vacuum often. Be certain you're getting areas of high activity or places where they've been known to set up shop.  This includes cupboards, cabinets, draperies, furniture, carpet and rugs and sink areas. Keeping these areas free from roach eggs and food crumbs is essential.

Keep your plumbing in good working order. Fix leaky taps and replace bad or cracked molding. Give your roaches fewer places to have accessible water. Don't leave standing water in sinks or tubs - it's a good idea to wipe them dry before calling it a night.

Following these tips will go a long way to help you ensure your home's only inhabitants are you, your pets or invited guests. If you're dealing with a cockroach problem or any other type of pest infestation in Martin County, give the experienced pest control professionals at Ambassador Pest Management a call at 772-229-0040. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

I think I have cockroaches! Ugh! Now what?

It’s something many West Palm Beach residents have had to face at some point. It’s late in the evening, dinner was a few hours ago, and you can’t stop thinking about that carrot cake/ice cream/key lime pie in the kitchen. You get up, and when you turn on the kitchen light, you see a cockroach scurry under the fridge. You immediately remember the old adage that if you see one, you can be sure there are a bunch of them. They never come to the party alone, and once they’ve decided to turn your house into their personal playground, they’ll just keep multiplying.

So, you’ve seen that cockroach. You know in your gut that you probably are already facing having to deal with an infestation. Roaches are mostly only seen at night, running away from the light faster than prohibition partiers with cops at the door of their speakeasy. – they’ll scurry away from light sources. If you’re not sure that you saw what you think you saw, look for signs they may have left.

Signs that you have an infestation

If you spot what looks like spilled pepper, but you don’t never spilled any pepper, there’s a good chance that pepper is actually roach droppings. You’ll also want to take a look in dark places like under the sink or in the pantry. These sources of food and water are definite hangouts for these pests. Same with under the refrigerator. And check out under any throw rugs or mats and in small crevices. They can squeeze into places you wouldn’t think they could. Do you see any dead roaches? That’s also a bad sign, because his friends are probably holding  wake nearby. You might also notice a musty smell that won’t go away. They’re not known for emitting a fresh-as-a-daisy scent.

Do you have any (or all) of these signs? Then there’s a good chance you’ve already got an infestation on your hands. Taking on their eradication is not an easy DIY project. Even if you get rid of their food water sources, they may decide to stick around and wait for you to get careless or complacent. They can wait you out because it’s possible for them to go without food for up to a month.  Yikes!

What to do when you’ve got cockroaches

Although making sure you’re not leaving any standing water, fixing leaky plumbing, making sure food is put away quickly, crumbs are swept up and is stored in airtight containers is a great start, it won’t get rid of the problem. It’s an excellent measure for future prevention, though. You should definitely employ these techniques after getting rid of the infestation.

The best course of action to rid your home of cockroaches? Call Ambassador Pest Management today!  Our highly skilled and certified technician will come for a free inspection, treatment plan and estimate. Remember that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for our pest control services! Don’t delay, call today!  866-632-0088

Get the Facts About Cockroaches and Asthma

No one likes to see cockroaches in their home, but perhaps the least savory and most dangerous part of a cockroach infestation are the things you don't see. The fecal waste matter and body part fragments contain highly concentrated allergens that can contaminate your home and the air you and your family breathe. These allergens are known to aggravate allergies and asthma in people, especially children. This is when pest control for cockroaches becomes a matter of health.

How can cockroaches affect my family's health?

Allergens created by cockroaches are very similar to those of dust mites, as they attach themselves to other airborne particles that settle quickly on surfaces in your home. While you try to remove them by vacuuming, you're actually stirring some up and sending them into the air you breathe (this is not to say that you shouldn't vacuum, however!). The particles collect in upholstered furniture, your bed linens and pillows, making them very easy to inhale.

These very cockroach allergens can aggravate existing allergies and be a trigger for asthma sufferers. Researchers, however, are investigating compelling evidence suggesting that children exposed to cockroach allergens are actually at greater risk of developing asthma. They are also a cause of wheezing and coughing in babies during their first year of life.

Where am I at the greatest risk of coming into contact with cockroach allergens?

The highest concentration of these allergens is usually found in areas providing ample food and water for the pests to survive, namely your kitchen area. These are the most common places for infestation to occur. The cockroach allergens found in your home's bedrooms are likely of greater concern, however. As the particles are likely to settle into bedding and pillows, the amount of time you spend in contact with those items every night becomes a significant factor.

How can I eliminate cockroach allergens in my home?

Although it's impossible to completely eliminate any exposure at all to these allergens because they're found in public places as well, such as schools, offices and restaurants, there are some precautions you can take to protect your family in your home.

• Prevent or eliminate cockroach infestations. Keep your kitchen clean and free of food debris. Don't forget to periodically clean under your refrigerator or stove, where old food scraps may fall and collect. If you find you have an infestation, don't delay and contact a pest control professional to rid your home of them.
• Pay special attention to problem areas, especially bedroom. Consider investing in mattress and pillow encasements if you've had infestation problems in the past. Wash linens in hot water at least once a week.
• Do your best to reduce the humidity in your home. Cockroaches (as well as other household pests) thrive in damp environments. Make your home as inhospitable as possible for them.
• Avoid the use of carpeting if you have highly allergic or asthmatic individuals in the home. Wood or tile flooring is easier to maintain and keep allergen-free.  If you're unable to do this, vacuuming and dusting several times a week may help to minimize the amount of allergens in your home.  People with cockroach allergies should not be present in the room while the cleaning is taking place, however, as the airborne particles can temporarily worsen the room's air quality.

If you live in the West Palm Beach or Stuart, Florida area and know or even suspect you have a cockroach infestation, call the pest control company with over 25 years of experience - Ambassador Pest Management. One of our certified technicians will be happy to come out to perform a free, no-obligation inspection, and as always for our services, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!  866-632-0088.