Don’t Let Cockroaches Ruin Your Summer BBQ!

Spying a roach skittering across a table can ruin anyone’s day! Cockroaches are one of the most common pests found throughout the United States, and they can infest your backyard and quickly spread throughout your property.

Florida roaches include the Oriental cockroach, German cockroach, and American cockroach. There are differences, but they focus on food, warmth, and moisture – the three things our climate offers.

Things that you enjoy, including eating and entertaining outdoors during the summer months, may invite cockroaches to your property. If you understand what attracts cockroaches, there are steps that you can take to prevent these unwanted guests from ruining your summer fun.

Common Roaches in Florida

Depending on the species of cockroach, your approach to exterminating them will vary. If you are a resident in Florida, look for the following classifications of cockroaches: 

German Cockroaches

Adult German cockroaches are tan to light brown in appearance and measure between 1/2-to-5/8-inches in length. Smaller than American and Oriental, with two dark parallel lines going from the rear of the head to the wings. They do not fly despite having completely formed wings. They seek cooking appliances like grills or food storage units to find food and shelter.

American Cockroaches

The American cockroach is the largest species and appears reddish-brown or mahogany in color. This type of cockroach is an unavoidable nuisance found throughout the United States. 

American cockroaches are carriers of pathogens that can contaminate food. As such, health inspectors will shut down food establishments if found.

Oriental Cockroaches

Adult oriental cockroaches are usually 1 to 1/4 inches long and red-brown and black in color. They have a distinct shiny, dark body that separates them from other cockroaches. Unlike German and American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches are not common household invaders.

They make their way into properties through pipes and sewer systems infesting food establishments like markets, cafes, and restaurants. You are less likely to find them in your homes. 

How To Protect Your Property from Roaches

When the warm weather approaches, it invites everyone to enjoy more barbecues and get-togethers with an opportunity to eat outside. Eating in a yard, patio, or deck still attracts pests like cockroaches, but there are ways to prevent unwanted guests.

Even the seemingly cleanest properties can attract Florida roaches. Not cleaning up thoroughly after a meal, such as leaving out food for a period, dirty dishes, and trash lying about may encourage pests.

Roaches look for any opportunity for an available food source. Even something as innocent as leaving food out in the open may attract bugs.

After cooking outside, clean up crumbs from tables and surrounding areas and grease from the grill. Leaving the cleanup for another time will welcome roaches, other bugs, and wildlife to your outdoor property. Also, ensure you dispose of any unwanted paper, cardboard, dead plants, or shrubbery. These items are also an open invitation for Florida cockroaches.

Another common way cockroaches infest a property is when someone unknowingly brings them into your home. It’s not just furniture from a yard sale, but cockroaches can hitch a ride within someone’s jacket or bookbag.

Some adult roaches can fly from one close location to another. Before you know it, you may face a cockroach infestation where the numbers start to multiply very quickly. 

What to Do If You Notice a Cockroach Infestation

No matter how tidy you keep your home, you should also focus on the outdoors. Food waste and trash left outside will eventually attract roaches, and it’s only a matter of time before they find their way inside your home.

If you see one, you can be sure that there’s more! Roaches are primarily nocturnal, meaning they stay hidden away from humans. If they boldly cross your path no matter the time of day, their numbers have multiplied behind your walls throughout your home or business. You should consider calling a professional exterminator to perform roach control.

How to Get Rid of Roaches | Pest Control Solution

There’s very little you can do with glue traps and sprays. When you have a problem, rely on a pest control professional, the best roach killer around!

Since 1964, Capelouto Termite & Pest Control has protected thousands of residential and commercial properties throughout the area. Roaches are a challenging problem. We find a solution to a roach problem with a customized solution based on your needs. Schedule a consultation today by calling (850) 601-2082 or leaving us a message online.