Cockroach Control in Maryland and Virginia

They’re creepy, they’re crawly, and they love showing up at your home uninvited—and we aren’t talking about your in-laws. Cockroaches are hard-shelled insects that seem to find their way into the most difficult-to-reach areas of your home. These hide-and-seek masters are difficult to target and eliminate with common pesticides, making them very stubborn pests to get rid of. When you are searching for complete, effective cockroach control in Maryland, Virginia, and surrounding areas, give the experts at Frontline Pest Control a call.

Types of Cockroaches in Maryland and Virginia

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are colorful insects that are light brown with two tan bands that run along the wings of adults and the entire body of nymphs. These nocturnal roaches prefer a warm, dry environment and are quick to take residence inside closets, pantries, closets, and appliances. Brown-banded cockroaches tend to stay near the ceilings of infested homes, away from sources of water. They are usually 11 to 14 1/2 mm long.

Smokey Brown Cockroaches

Smokey brown cockroaches have a solid, rich mahogany color, a shiny shell, and thrive in warm, humid, wooded areas where they can burrow into trees and under mulch. You may find them around your backyard hiding in mulch beds, clogged gutters, or piles of trees and other natural debris. However, if they make their way into your home, they prefer to hide in your attic where they will be undetected.

Oriental Cockroaches

Entering your home by sliding under doors, crawling through pipes and drains, and through gaps or holes in your siding, the oriental cockroach loves residing in damp areas. This pest has a smooth black or dark-brown body and can grow to be up to an inch long in size. You may be alerted to an outbreak of this pest by the smell they emit, as oriental cockroaches release chemicals to communicate that have a musty odor.

American Cockroaches

When you think of these pests, chances are you picture the American cockroach. This species of roach, also known as the water bug, is the largest of the home-invading variety and is identified by its red and brown coloring with a yellow band on the back of its head. Adult American cockroaches can range in size between 1 1/4 and 2 1/8 inches in length and have wings they can use to fly short distances with.

German Cockroaches

The German cockroach is the most common species found around the world and is commonly found in warm, humid spaces like restaurants, hotels, food processing plants, and other institutions where food and water sources are abundant. They are light brown or tan with two dark parallel stripes running down their backs. Adult German cockroaches are one-half to 5/8 inches long and may leave behind pepper-like feces that leave stains behind.

What Attracts Cockroaches to My Maryland and Virginia Home?

Much like human beings, cockroaches are always on the hunt for sources of food and a comfortable place to live, which is why they are commonly attracted to homes. Since cockroaches are nocturnal, any room or area of your home that is dark and secluded and has easy access to water sources, such as basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, are usually the first places to be invaded by these creepy crawlies. If you have crumbs, beverage spills, or any open containers of food laying around your home, cockroaches are commonly attracted to these sources of food as well.

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

If you’re on the fence about whether or not your home has a cockroach infestation, be on the lookout for these common signs:

• Droppings. Many cockroaches leave behind droppings in the dim areas they hide in, which can be mistaken for mouse feces. They are small and black and often look like specks of pepper, coffee grounds, or small grains of rice. 
• Eggs. Be on the lookout for dark-colored egg capsules, which are often found near food or water sources in basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, and other places where cockroaches hide. They are about 8 mm in size. 
• Smell. Many cockroaches produce a musty-smelling pheromone that they use to communicate with one another. The more cockroaches you have in your home, the heavier the smell will be.

Prevent Cockroaches in Your Maryland and Virginia Home

Once a cockroach infestation begins, it can be incredibly difficult to fully eradicate your home from these very persistent pests. The best approach is to practice preventive pest control in order to stop them from entering your property in the first place. Best practices include:

• Barrier exclusion. Barrier exclusion prevents cockroaches from entering the home through small cracks in walls, up through drains, and other small holes that directly lead outside. You can use silicone-based caulk to seal these openings.
• Keep things clean. Clean and sanitary homes are less inviting to cockroaches. Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors free of clutter and crumbs, and don’t allow dishes to pile up or leave spills on surfaces. Seal food in airtight containers, and pack away pet food in a plastic container. You should also frequently vacuum your space to remove crumbs and other debris that may attract cockroaches.

Schedule a Cockroach Treatment With Frontline Pest Today

Whether you’ve had enough of your unwanted cockroach visitors or you want to make sure that they never come knocking on your door in the first place, Frontline Pest can help. Our pest professionals will treat the interior and exterior of your home with safe, effective pesticides and baited traps, so you’ll be living pest-free in no time. When you’re ready for personalized pest control services from local experts, give us a call or contact us online to set up your Maryland and Virginia cockroach control treatments today!