Has this ever happened to you? You get out of bed in the middle of the night for a glass of water. You stagger sleepily to the kitchen, flick on the lights, and witness something horrible: half a dozen brown bugs scuttling under your refrigerator, into your cabinets, and up the walls. Suddenly, you’re wide awake as you realize…you’ve got roaches!
Cockroaches are a common problem in Portland and can be difficult to avoid, but there are certain factors that attract them. Let’s explore which species commonly infest Portland homes, what attracts them to a property, and what you can do to prevent them.
Portland Cockroach Species
There are three cockroaches commonly found in Portland, ME - German, American, and Oriental cockroaches.
German Cockroach
German cockroaches measure between ½ and ⅝ of an inch in length. They are light brown or tan, with two dark stripes on their backs. German cockroaches have wings but prefer to run. They can be found in any human environment, but most often infest restaurants, hotels, nursing homes, and other facilities.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest of the three species found in Maine, measuring up to 2⅛ inches long. They are reddish-brown and have a yellow band outlining the back of their head. They have wings and are able to fly short distances but are more likely to run. American cockroaches are also known as palmetto bugs, water bugs, and Bombay canaries.
Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches are shiny black and about an inch long. They are also known as black beetle cockroaches or water bugs. Males have short wings, and females are wingless, but neither can fly. Oriental cockroaches thrive in damp environments and are often found in basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms.
Why Do I Have Roaches?
If you have discovered cockroaches in your home, you may be wondering what attracted them and how they got in. Cockroaches are not very picky about which properties they infest, but certain factors can make your home more hospitable for them.
Roaches need moisture to survive, so homes with humidity issues or standing water will be more susceptible to cockroach infestations. Food sources will also attract cockroaches; crumbs on the floor or food left sitting out can be a cockroach magnet. Unsecured garbage can lead to a cockroach problem, and clutter and debris provide them with hiding places.
Cockroaches can enter a home through the smallest cracks, gaps, and holes. They may also gain entry through pipes and drains. Homes that are not fortified against potential pests through barrier exclusion are more likely to have roach issues.
How Do I Get Rid Of Roaches?
Once cockroaches have made themselves at home, it can be difficult to fully eliminate them without professional assistance. However, over-the-counter products can be purchased to kill roaches, and there are steps you can take to make your home less attractive to cockroaches in the first place.
Here are some cockroach prevention tips for Portland homeowners:
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Seal up cracks, gaps, and holes in the exterior of your house, including around utility pipes, with silicone caulk.
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Keep your kitchen clean and sanitized—wipe up any spills, sweep floors, store food in sealed containers, etc.
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Address any moisture issues in your home.
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Store garbage in cans with tight-fitting lids and take out the trash frequently.
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Vacuum at least once per week and reduce clutter.
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Keep doors and windows closed and use screens on windows.
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Maintain a tidy yard and clean up any debris.
These prevention tips can make your home less vulnerable to cockroaches, but these pests are extremely tenacious and may find their way inside despite your best efforts. A professional pest control service will be able to provide the most effective solutions.
Get Rid Of Cockroaches Forever With Big Blue Bug Solutions
When it comes to cockroaches, do-it-yourself methods will only get you so far. Cockroach control is an ongoing battle when you do it on your own, and the roaches will likely return time and time again. To get rid of cockroaches forever, contact the experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions.
Big Blue Bug Solutions has provided Portland and New England with quality pest control for more than 80 years. We are proud to protect Gillette Stadium from pests, and we can protect your home too. For effective cockroach elimination from New England’s most trusted pest control professionals, contact Big Blue Bug Solutions today.
