The Ultimate Guide To Getting Rid Of Roaches In Your Longview Home For Good!

If you’re dealing with a roach infestation in Longview, you should know you’re not alone. Texas is now the second most cockroach-infested state in the U.S., which means your likelihood of experiencing an infestation is higher than ever before.

Once cockroaches get into your home, they can be almost impossible to get back out. These resilient pests can survive even the most extreme conditions, including deep freezes, dry seasons, and poor food availability. They’re not likely to experience much hardship in your home, however – and with an ability to produce 800 new cockroaches every year, even a single pair of adult cockroaches could put your home under siege.

Everyone talks about getting rid of cockroaches, but how can you get rid of cockroaches for good? In this article, we talk about what it takes to perform effective cockroach removal, including the help you need to do it correctly. We also provide five easy ways to prevent future roach problems around the house.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s start by looking at the types of roaches most common in the Longview area.

Types Of Roaches Common To The Area

Longview residents enjoy a temperate climate with moderate, mild winters. This means cockroaches thrive in our area and can survive up to one year in good conditions. It also means there are all sorts of different species nearby, with more than 30 known species in the state of Texas.

Most of the cockroaches found in Texas are harmless to humans and pets. There are four major species that can cause problems, though: American roaches, oriental roaches, brown-banded roaches, and German roaches. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these:

American roaches: These pests are sometimes referred to as Bombay canaries. They also happen to be the largest cockroach species in Longview, with some growing over two inches in length. You can identify these roaches by their mahogany bodies, the yellowish figure eight marking behind their head, and their long antennae.

Oriental roaches: You can often find oriental roaches hiding in moist, humid environments. These nearly jet-black bugs measure roughly one inch long in adulthood and require lots of heat to survive. Since these pests are mostly nocturnal, you’re not likely to spot them during the day.

Brown-banded roaches: The brown-banded cockroach may only be a half-inch long, but it can still strike terror into the hearts of many. These roaches sport dark brown bands across the tops of their carapaces and are easily identified by their long, spikey legs. Although they only live roughly six months on average, they reproduce quickly (at a rate of 18 eggs per egg case).

German roaches: Referred to as one of the most prolific pests in America, the German cockroach is a gigantic problem in Longview. Keep an eye out for 5/8-inch long roaches with light brown colorations, two folded wings, and two brown stripes behind their heads.

Spotting even one of these pests around your house may be a sign of a cockroach infestation. It could also be a sign that your family may be at risk for germs, allergies, and food contamination.

Let’s take a closer look at how roaches can put people in danger.

How Roaches Spread Germs And Trigger Allergies

Cockroaches are anything but hygienic pests. It’s simply not in their nature. These insects require humidity, moisture, and tiny crumbs of food, which means they often go spelunking in unsavory places or environments.

Garbage cans, drains, and sewers are some of the cockroach’s favorite places to hide out, as well as alleys, dumpsters, and utility pipes. This means they run into all sorts of germs, ranging from viruses and bacteria to parasite eggs. They may even expose your family to these germs as they crawl around your countertops, tables, and food prep areas.

Cockroaches are capable of spreading 33 strains of bacteria, six types of parasitic worms, and seven or more miscellaneous pathogens. Small intestinal roundworm is its most common parasitic hitchhiker, followed by whipworms and Capillaria nematodes.

If you don’t pick up cockroach germs from the surfaces they frequent, you may also be exposed through the food or water you consume. As cockroaches nibble away at your leftovers and food packages, they may leave unwanted surprises in your cereal, flour, or homemade cookies. Diseases resulting from cockroach exposure include salmonella, campylobacteriosis, and even dysentery.

But one of the most unique aspects of a cockroach infestation is the triggering of allergies. Roaches carry a type of protein that may be problematic to those with sensitivities, causing allergy flare-ups, stuffy noses, coughing, and skin rashes. You may also experience difficulty breathing, depending on the severity of your allergy.

It’s clear a cockroach infestation is not something to brush off or ignore. It’s also a bad idea to attempt to control these pests on your own. That’s why the best and most effective solution is to contact Gecko Pest Control, Longview’s premiere provider of roach removal, maintenance, and prevention.

Let’s take a closer look at our approach to cockroach control below.

Call The Pros To Completely Get Rid Of Roaches

Gecko Pest Control has provided effective roach control solutions to Longview residents for more than 20 years. With hundreds of happy customers and dozens of five-star reviews, we’ve made a name for ourselves as a trusted professional provider of roach identification, removal, and maintenance.

Our techniques for getting rid of roaches follow all best practices and scientific advancements. We also offer an airtight cockroach removal guarantee so you can feel confident about keeping your home protected. Rated as one of the best local home pest control companies for more than ten years in a row, we’re committed to upholding our reputation with effective, fast-acting, and trustworthy roach removal services.

It all starts with a phone call to Gecko Pest Control. Once you communicate your needs to our team, we set up a time to visit your home and evaluate your property for signs of an infestation. We may ask you clarifying questions about specific conditions around your property, then hunt around any hotspot areas to find where pests are nesting.

Next, we devise a plan of action based on your home and the results you want to see. We apply multiple treatments to address your infestation and remove embedded colonies using cutting-edge techniques. Since we’re focused on prevention and mitigation as well, we can help get rid of cockroaches and keep them out for good.

Please note we also offer a Healthy Home Plan for long-term defense against cockroaches and other pests. In addition to controlling the four most common roaches in Longview, we can also help you remove rodents, ants, spiders, and more. You can rest assured that our barrier treatments provide the defense you need to protect the ones you love.

Ready to partner with Gecko Pest Control? You can call us today to set up a free appointment and start working on cockroach treatments for your property. 

Five Tips To Prevent Future Roach Problems In Your Home

A one-time treatment for your roach infestation may help to manage the problem temporarily. However, cockroach prevention is the best long-term strategy for keeping roaches out of your home for good.

Here are five tips to prevent reinfestation after a treatment from Gecko Pest Control:

Practice good trash management. You should remove any filled trash bags from your home and dispose of them in your outdoor bin. If you don’t have a trash collection service in your area, be sure to transport your bags to the landfill in a timely manner. You may also want to wash out the bottoms of bins for an additional level of protection.

Keep your home clean. Be sure to mop, sweep, and vacuum as often as possible for best results. If you accidentally leave crumbs behind or spill your drink, clean up the mess right away.

Control sources of water. You should fix leaky pipes and clogged drains to prevent cockroaches from coming inside. You can also use desiccant bags or dehumidifiers in problem areas (like your bathroom, for example). Don’t forget to wash your dirty dishes to prevent the smell from attracting roaches.

Seal up cracks and gaps. You should use waterproof caulking whenever possible to create a defense around your home. Other exclusion methods, including better screens for windows and doors, may be a good idea for your property.

Maintain your yard. This includes mowing grass, removing bushy vegetation, and keeping the sides of your home clear of excessive greenery. This can prevent roaches from exploring the foundation of your home and finding a way inside.

Keep in mind prevention steps aren’t always 100% foolproof. Some roaches are desperate enough to explore your home, even if you’ve followed each tip to the letter. For this reason, partnering with the professionals at Gecko Pest Control may be a more effective way to stop roaches from invading your home.

You can submit an online contact form today to chat with an expert about local cockroach control.