Oriental Cockroaches in Salina
The oriental cockroach is a major household pest in Salina as well as most of the Northwest, Midwest, and Southern United States. This species is attracted to wet and shady perimeter areas and prefers dark and damp basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. Oriental cockroaches are known to climb water pipes and garbage chutes to access the upper floors of apartment buildings. They feed on all kinds of filth, debris, and other decaying organic matter and seem especially fond of garbage and the contents of discarded tin cans.
Oriental Cockroach Habitat
Oriental cockroaches are common outdoors and live in warm, damp shady areas near the ground. Outside the house, these cockroaches will gather near or under trash cans. When temperatures drop, they may seek shelter indoors but can tolerate cooler weather. Oriental cockroaches may enter homes in food packages from grocery stores or gain access under exterior doors, garage doors, air ducts, and ventilators. Inside, they tend to remain on lower floors and move more slowly than other species. The most common areas to find oriental cockroaches in homes are toilets, bathtubs, sinks, radiators, and pipes. These cockroaches are seasonal and adults generally appear from May through July.
Oriental Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Oriental cockroaches are not a structural pest in that they do not damage homes, but they do present a serious threat to your health and the health of your family. Cockroaches are known for spreading disease and have been discovered to carry 33 different kinds of bacteria, including E. Coli and Salmonella. Cockroaches contaminate food items and the surfaces in our homes with harmful bacteria as they forage for food. Their shed skin and feces can cause serious reactions in people with allergies or asthma.
If you are dealing with an oriental cockroach infestation, it’s important to contact your local cockroach exterminator for help.
