Cockroaches

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Cockroaches vary in harborage areas inside and outside, which might come as a shock since a lot of people think there are only indoor dwelling cockroaches. The most common cockroach is the german cockroach and it is an indoor infesting insect. The most common outdoor cockroach would be the smokey brown or the american cockroaches. 

German cockroaches would be the ones that are commonly related to unsanitary conditions or unkept areas. Where they hide inside would be in or behind cabinetry, in or behind appliances, or in and around trash keeping areas. At Enfocus we are well trained to deal with german cockroach infestations and try to keep retreats to a minimum by using the best chemicals and newest and best methods so that your home or loved ones home can be infestation free.

When it comes to smokey brown and american cockroaches they do look alike for the most part and do grow to a large size. Most people commonly refer to it as the water bug, due to its high activity in wetlands or near the beach. Like the smaller roach species that infest indoors that do carry disease, these larger outdoor living ones do as well. So its always good to keep their primary harborage away from the home; leaf litter. The best treatment for these kinds of roaches is seen in a preventative way instead of an eradication way, primarily due to the fact they normally end up inside almost by accident.

The main thing comes down to identifying which roach you may be dealing with:

⚫ If it is no longer than an inch long and light brown to dark brown in color with 2 dark brown stripes down its back, you are dealing with a german roach infestation and the best plan of action is professional help so that causing chemical resistance doesn't occur and the issue is taken care of as quick as possible.

⚫ If the roach is dark red to completely dark brown in color and 1-2 inches long it may either be an american cockroach as seen in the image on this page or a smokey brown. The american cockroach has a light brown to yellow pattern that circles the plate above its head called the pronatum. If you are seeing this roach, make sure moisture in your attic and crawlspace aren't exceeding too high of moisture content and that leaf litter is kept as far from the house as possible. If the activity seems abnormally high you may want to get professional help involved.