The Crawl of Shame: Roaches on the Run

Usually
when you’re number one in something, you feel darned good. It brings a sense of
pride. Over the years Houston has claimed that spot in several areas. In 2021
Houston was named #1 for being the most diverse city in the United States.
According to a study by Penske Truck Rental in 2024, Houston was ranked as the
#1 moving destination. Everyone knows The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo holds the title for having the
world’s largest rodeo. There is another #1 spot it holds that I am sure it’s
not thrilled about. A study by Pest Gnome, a company that specializes in
connecting people to exterminators, declared Houston the city with the most
cockroaches—a title few would dispute.

Cockroaches love heat and humidity—and there’s
no denying that Houston offers ideal conditions for them. Globally there are
4,500 species but only 69 of them live in the United States. Texas has about 30
species but in Houston, there are 4 prevalent species– American, German, Oriental, and
Brown-banded cockroaches.

The largest one you are likely to see in and
around your home is the American cockroach growing up to 2 inches long. They
are also known as water bugs or palmetto bugs. They are reddish-brown in color
and can fly. The German roach is smaller, brown, and has two dark stripes. They
have wings but they don’t fly. They are the most prolific breeders, and it only
takes 100 days (about 3 and a half months) to produce a new generation. They
are usually found near food and water sources. They spend their entire lives
inside. The Oriental roach is dark brown or black and grow to about 1.25
inches long. Like the German roach, they have wings but don’t fly. They prefer
cooler, ground-level sites such as basements, crawl spaces, and wet areas. The
brown-banded roach likes warmer and drier areas and you’re likely to see them
in appliances. They can grow to 1.5 inches long and have antennae that are as
long as their body. As their name implies, adults have distinctive brown bands.
Younger ones are black with two white bands on the body and white-tipped
antennae. American, Oriental, and Brown-banded roaches live mostly outdoors but
will move indoors in search of food and water.

Cockroaches aren’t just an annoyance; they are
a health hazard. They carry bacteria that can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus.
Cockroaches have been known to play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases,
such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever according to the World Health
Organization. In an article in the Journal of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology Research, cockroaches are one of the most common sources of
indoor allergens.

Most homeowners I know have a professional pest control company
treat their homes, both inside and outside, on a regular basis but you can help
reduce the cockroach population by limiting their access to water, food, and
shelter.

According to www.healthline.com, here are some things you can do:

·
seal entry
points such as cracks in floors and walls

·
fix leaky pipes

·
keep typically
damp areas dry

·
use cockroach
traps and bait

·
tightly cover
all trash containers

·
store food in
airtight containers (including food in cabinets)

·
clean dirty
dishes immediately after use

·
clean pet food
bowl (don’t leave pet food out)

·
sweep up food
crumbs from tables, counters, stovetop, and floors

·
wipe up spills
immediately

·
vacuum and mop
floors regularly

·
clean (at least
annually) around and under furniture that is rarely moved

·
clear out
clutter from storage closets, shelves, and drawers

Cockroaches are squatters and may act like they own the place
but show them the door. With a little
diligence, you can evict these six-legged squatters and reclaim your home—one
squeaky-clean corner at a time.