Cockroaches in Oregon are disliked by everyone. They are not attractive and can cause illness. If you live in Oregon, it’s important to know that there are four species of cockroaches in your area. Take the time to understand how to remove them from your house or workplace. To gain more knowledge about the different cockroach species in Oregon and how to get rid of them, read on this guide.
What are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are insects with flat bodies, long antennas, and six legs. Though equipped with wings, their ability to fly proficiently is somewhat limited. During the day, cockroaches hide and are active at night.
They can run very fast, up to 11 inches per second. That is like a human running at 93 miles per hour! Cockroaches eat many things, such as leftovers, garbage, paper, leather, and glue. They are very hard to kill. They can resist high temperatures, radiation, and pesticides.
Cockroaches in Oregon
Cockroaches are not native to Oregon. They came here because of people. They can travel on luggage, furniture, clothes, or food. They can also originate from states or countries other than your own. Once they find a good place to live, they make many babies and cause problems.
Why are Cockroaches Bad?
Cockroaches cause many troubles. Here are some of them:
They are annoying and scary. Many people hate them and feel nervous around them. Some people are terrified of insects or cockroaches.
They can damage things. They can chew on fabrics, books, wallpaper, and wires.
They can make you sick. These Bugs and pests can make you sick. Protect yourself! They transport harmful germs, viruses, fungi, and worms that can trigger serious illnesses.
They can cause allergies. Their poop, spit, or skin can make some people sneeze or have asthma attacks.
They can cost you money. They can spoil food products and make you lose customers or reputation if you own a business like a restaurant, grocery store, bakery, warehouse, or hotel. They can also lower the value of your property.
Common Types of Cockroaches in Oregon
In Oregon, four cockroach types exist German cockroach (Blattella germanica), American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), and brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa). Each type has its features and habits that you need to know.
German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica)
The German cockroaches are the most common and troublesome cockroaches in Oregon. It is roughly half an inch long and has two black stripes on its head in addition to a tan or light brown color. It has wings but does not fly much. It likes warm and humid places inside buildings, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
The German cockroach makes many babies very fast. A female can make up to 300 babies in a year. It can also become immune to some pesticides. It eats almost anything, but it prefers meats, starches, sugars, and fats.
You can find the German cockroach in homes, apartments, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other places. It can spread diseases, cause allergies, and make bad smells.
American Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)
The American cockroaches are the biggest cockroaches in Oregon. With a length of approximately one and a half inches, this captivating creature showcases a glossy reddish-brown hue, adorned by twin dark spots along its neck. It has wings and can fly for short distances.
It likes moist and warm places both inside and outside buildings, such as drains, sewers, pipes, basements, crawlspaces, mulch, and compost.
The American cockroach lives for up to two years. It eats decaying things like garbage, sewage, and dead animals. It also likes sweets and alcohol. The American cockroach is mostly a problem for businesses like restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, warehouses, and shipyards. But it can also enter homes and buildings through cracks or openings. It can make you sick because it carries germs and parasites.
Oriental Cockroaches (Blatta orientalis)
The Oriental cockroach reigns supreme as one of Oregon’s most abundant cockroach species. A glossy look and a dark brown or black color characterize it, and it is about an inch long. It has short wings but cannot fly. It likes cool and damp places both inside and outside buildings, such as drains, sewers, pipes, basements, crawlspaces, mulch, and compost. The Oriental cockroach lives for up to six months.
It eats decaying things and starchy foods. It needs water to survive. Some people call it a “water bug” because of that. The Oriental cockroach is a nuisance pest. It can get into homes and buildings through cracks or openings. It can ruin food and surfaces with its poop and spit. It can also make a musty smell.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches (Supella longipalpa)
The brown-banded cockroaches are the smallest cockroaches in Oregon. It’s about a quarter-inch long and light brown or tan, with two black stripes on its wings and abdomen. It has wings but does not fly much. It likes warm and dry places inside buildings, such as ceilings, walls, furniture, appliances, closets, and cabinets.
The brown-banded cockroach lives for up to six months. It eats mostly starches and proteins, and it is attracted to glue and paper products. The brown-banded cockroach is a household pest. It can damage things by chewing on fabrics and books. It can also transmit diseases and cause allergies.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Oregon: Tips
Getting rid of cockroaches in Oregon can be hard, but not impossible. To achieve the greatest outcomes, a combination of techniques must be used. Some of these methods are:
– Prevention: Stop them from coming into your home or business by sealing any cracks or gaps around doors, windows, pipes, vents, or wires that they might use as entry points. Put screens on windows and vents to keep them out.
– Exclusion: If they are already inside your place, stop them from spreading by closing any holes or cracks where they might hide or move around. Use caulk, foam, or steel wool to do that. Keep food in sealed containers or refrigerators to keep them away from it.
– Sanitation: Remove anything that might attract them by cleaning up spills or crumbs on floors, countertops, or cabinets right away. Throw away garbage regularly, fix leaks or drips, and get rid of clutter or debris that might shelter them.
– Monitoring: Check how many and where they are by using sticky traps or glue boards to catch them alive or dead. Use flashlights or UV lights to look for them in dark areas where they might hide. Use pheromone traps or bait stations to lure them out.
– Trapping: Reduce their numbers by using traps without chemicals to catch them alive or dead. Use sticky traps or glue boards for that purpose. Use jar traps or bottle traps with water or bait inside to trap them too. Use vacuum cleaners or brooms to suck them up or sweep them away too.
– Baiting: Kill them by using baits with insecticides that work slowly on their nerves or stomachs. Put the baits near their hiding spots or along their trails for easy access by them.
– Spraying: Kill them by using sprays with insecticides that work fast on them offering quick results too. Follow the instructions carefully and take necessary precautions when using chemical sprays too.
– Seeking Professional Help: If you have a severe or persistent infestation, you should ask for help from pest control experts. They have the knowledge experience, and resources to use comprehensive methods tailored to your specific situation.
Conclusion
Dealing with cockroaches in Oregon can be troublesome. To ensure you eliminate these unwanted pests, it’s important to take preventive measures, explore various control methods, and seek professional help if needed.
Remember, a dedicated effort and constant vigilance are essential in creating a cockroach-free environment.