These resilient pests can spread disease, trigger allergies, and pose serious health risks—especially in homes with children, the elderly, or anyone who’s immunocompromised. Some have completely adapted to living with us in our spaces, while others may find their way into our homes from outside or up from drains.
Here are some key facts about cockroaches in North Carolina you need to know.
What Are the Dangers of a Cockroach Infestation?
Cockroaches are problematic in three main ways:
- Contamination and disease: Cockroaches carry disease-causing bacteria, such as Salmonella, which spread illness through food, surfaces and personal belongings.
- Allergic reactions and asthma: Proteins in cockroach saliva, feces and body parts can trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms.
- Large reproductive capabilities: Female cockroaches can lay between 120 and 320 eggs over their lifetimes, leading to rapid population growth.
You don’t have to live with the risks of cockroaches—contact us for a free cockroach control quote.
Cockroach Identification: What Are the Different Types Found In NC?
In North Carolina, five cockroach species most commonly infest homes and businesses:
German Cockroaches
Small, light brown or tan with two dark stripes, found in areas where we spend the most time, such as kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.
American Cockroaches
Large, reddish-brown with a yellow band behind their heads, they often enter from dark, moist areas like basements, outgoing drain lines, and sewers.
Oriental Cockroaches
Shiny, dark brown with a beetle-like appearance, they prefer cool, damp spaces like crawlspaces and basements.
Wood Cockroaches
Ranging from brown to reddish-brown, they live outdoors in wood piles or under debris. The males are strong flyers, often seen around exterior lights at night.
Behavior: How Do Cockroaches Act?
Understanding cockroach behavior can help you see why it’s so tough to get rid of them.
- Diet and feeding behavior: Cockroaches are omnivores and will consume almost anything. Some feed on scraps and crumbs we produce, while others feed on waste or decaying vegetation.
- Survival skills and resilience: Cockroaches are remarkably resilient pests, able to:
- Withstand cold temperatures as low as 32°F.
- Survive up to a month without food and a week without water.
- Live for a week without a head, as they breathe through spiracles on their bodies.
- Nocturnal habits: Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal, seeking food and water at night while hiding in dark, secluded areas during the day.
Prevention and Treatment of Cockroach Infestations
While sealing common entry points and maintaining cleanliness can help reduce the risk, cockroaches are incredibly persistent. Similarly, DIY solutions like store-bought insecticides and bait stations may offer short-term relief but often don’t address the root cause of an infestation.
For effective, long-lasting cockroach control, professional pest management is your best solution.
How Professional Cockroach Control Makes a Difference
As part of our core pest control package, Terminix Triad handles cockroaches and 20+ other common pests with ongoing solutions that guarantee your year-round protection and satisfaction. Here’s how:
- First, we’ll assess: the extent of your infestation and identify entry points you may have missed.
- From there, we’ll create: an Integrated Pest Management strategy that targets the root causes of infestations and uses minimally invasive methods to prevent future issues.
- Then, we’ll treat: the perimeter of the property, ensuring cockroaches, ants, beetles, spiders, silverfish and more don’t get the chance to enter.
- Once we eliminate: any existing infestations, we’ll return regularly to ensure your property remains protected.
Contact Us for Professional Cockroach Control
Don’t wait for a cockroach infestation to worsen—call 877-372-9696 or contact Terminix Triad to get a free quote for your custom cockroach control plan.