COCKROACH FACTS & INFORMATION

If you see a cockroach running to hide when you turn on the light, know that it is probably not alone, this little beast lives in groups and is quite invasive. Think you have a cockroach infestation? Do not panic! Cockroach extermination is our business.

WHAT IS A COCKROACH?

  • The cockroach belongs to the same species as the praying mantis. With an oval and flattened body, its color ranges from brown to black and its length is 10 to 45 mm, depending on the species. Its head, mobile and carrying two antennae, is hidden under the front part of the thorax, in the shape of a shield. It usually has two pairs of wings attached to the thorax and three pairs of legs with spines that allow it to run very quickly. Most cockroaches are poor flyers, instead using their wings like a parachute to glide or cushion their descent.

  • The cockroach is omnivorous. Although they prefer foods high in starch, sugar, protein and fat, they are not picky and eat anything they can find: fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, cookies, pet food, garbage , food scraps in dirty dishes, crumbs in the toaster, leather, fabrics, glue (on wallpaper, book bindings and stamps), soap, toothpaste, etc. In the pantry, they get supplies from non-airtight containers and can make holes in cardboard boxes or break plastic bags. The cockroach is able to remain active even without food for more than a month.

  • The extermination of cockroaches is difficult because their life cycle is long and they reproduce all year round. At intervals of 20 to 28 days, the female lays in a damp place from one to four egg sacs, each containing 35 to 50 nymphs. Within 24 hours, the larvae hatch and seek to feed. They will need from 2 to 24 months and between 4 and 15 moults to reach maturity. After each molt, the insect's body is soft and whitish. Gradually, the external skeleton hardens and takes on the characteristic color of the species. Juveniles resemble adults, but they lack wings. The cockroach lives a long time: for example, the German cockroach can live more than 200 days.

WHAT ARE THE HABITS OF COCKROACHES

  • The cockroach takes refuge in houses, warehouses, businesses and any other heated building in winter where it finds enough moisture and food. Its presence in your home is therefore not a sign of uncleanliness. They are attracted to warm, humid conditions in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and even plumbing. Being more active, they do not like the light, running away to hide as soon as you turn it on!

  • Most cockroaches living in houses usually remain motionless and hidden during the day. They leave their shelter in the evening and go in search of food. They are gregarious insects, forming a community that can number several hundred or even thousands of individuals. Each cockroach lives independently, without being dependent on the group.

  • The cockroach does not sting or bite. It rarely causes damage to the structures of the house. On the other hand, it spreads an unpleasant smell and taste in its path, which comes from its droppings, from a substance secreted by its fetid glands or from the brown saliva that it regurgitates to soften its food. As it picks up various bacteria and viruses on its legs and antennae, it can transfer them to objects and food it has touched, and thus contaminate you. Cockroach debris and droppings can also cause reactions in people with vulnerable immune systems (asthmatics, children, the elderly, etc.).

HOW TO PREVENT A COCKROACH INFESTATION

It is essential to ensure that you avoid any infestation of cockroaches in your home. Here are some prevention tips to keep in mind.

Inspect new food containers from the grocery store before bringing them into your home. Insects and eggs can be found there. Store your food in airtight, washable containers (glass or plastic). Quickly get out of the house the bags and cardboard boxes used to transport the food.

In kitchen cabinets, on ceilings, floors and walls and especially around water and drain pipes, seal cracks with caulking made from foam or silicone. Install fine-mesh screens over air vents, open pipes and drains.

Clean up spills and other messes as quickly as possible. Never leave food or food residue on counters or in the sink: if you don't wash dishes right away, soak them in soapy water (especially overnight). not drag water and food for his pets. Vacuum often. Dispose of garbage in sealed plastic bags. Rinse recyclable containers before placing them in the bin. Regularly clean the floors, especially behind appliances: a small layer of grease accumulated behind the stove can be enough to ensure the survival of cockroaches.

Ventilate the bathroom and dry damp places. Get a dehumidifier and maintain a humidity level of 45% or less.

Finally, if you are moving into a new home, inspect the premises before settling in.

HOW TO DETECT COCKROACHES

If you see cockroaches bustling about in broad daylight, it's an almost sure sign of an infestation.

To spot hidden cockroaches, the flashlight is essential to make the insects move and assess the extent of the problem. Point it under refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, sinks, inside kitchen cabinets including pantry, in cracks, nooks in the basement -soil, etc. You may also see black-colored droppings on the walls, in the pantry or cupboards, or egg sacs or shells showing their molting. Finally, it may be your sense of smell that will put you on the trail of the presence of cockroaches, because of the unpleasant odor they leave in their path.

How they enter your home:

The cockroach and the shells containing its eggs can enter your building with food, packages, empty bottles that have contained beer and soft drinks or shipping boxes, used furniture, and household appliances, for example. Watch out for your grocery bags and boxes: they can easily hide there!

It can also come from a neighbor: once inside a building, the cockroach takes advantage of air vents, heating and pipes, the shaft of an elevator, and false ceilings to pass from one place to another. Being mostly active at night, they may go unnoticed for a while before someone spots them.

If you detect a cockroach infestation, it is best to quickly call an exterminator or your landlord to take care of it. In multi-unit buildings, it is essential that the owner and all residents are informed and cooperate to ensure the effectiveness of any program to control cockroaches.

Canine detection

If you think you have cockroaches, but are not sure, you can also request a canine detection. In 92% of cases, the first signs of infestation are the appearance of cockroaches bites on the body. Canine detection should therefore be considered in order to detect the presence of cockroaches quickly, and at an even early stage. This will also reduce extermination costs later on.

Canine detection can be done in any type of building: house, apartment, hotel, school, company, etc. Our detection dogs, accompanied by our certified inspectors, will be able to detect 98% of the presence of cockroaches in your home or commercial space. Our canine team is regularly trained to detect live cockroaches, regardless of their life cycle. Their specialized training and ongoing training with a dog handler allows them to continually improve detection. Since dogs have a sense of smell nearly 10,000 times stronger than humans, this non-invasive method is ideal for preventing a bed bug infestation.

HOW TO ELIMINATE A COCKROACH INFESTATION

There are several methods to eliminate cockroaches. Whether by heat treatment, with baits or specially designed traps, our technicians will use the most effective method according to your needs and the space to be treated. Rest assured that we will eliminate cockroaches for sure in order to allow you to find a normal rhythm of life.

Heat Treatment

A cockroach infestation can be destroyed with athermal treatment. This involves exposing the cockroaches to a very high temperature. Since these insects cannot survive more than 57OC, heat treatment is an effective technique for eliminating them, regardless of their stage of life. Heat treatment is scientifically proven, safe and chemical free. In addition, most of the time, cockroaches are eliminated in a single treatment and you can return to your home or premises the same day, since this method leaves no residue and is safe for your health.

Cockroaches are increasingly resistant to pesticides in liquid, aerosol, paste or gel form. For their extermination, it is best to trust our professional exterminators since effective management of cockroaches requires thoroughness and caution.

First and foremost, our certified technicians analyze the nature and extent of the problem in order to offer the appropriate extermination treatments:

  • Fast, safe and efficient heat treatment

  • Elimination of parasites with the use of cutting-edge baits and powders;

  • Elimination of sources of infestation

  • Weekly and guaranteed follow-ups.

Depending on your environment, the treatments selected by our exterminators take into account the health and safety of all occupants of the home, business or industry. We also implement effective prevention and follow-up programs.

ELIMINATE COCKROACHES AND PROTECT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS BY ENSURING THEY DON’T COME BACK

At Axon Extermination, we’ll make sure to understand and assess your needs. Book your free, zero-obligation consultation today for a customized estimate for your specific needs.