Tampa cockroach exterminators

The hot, humid, weather in Tampa is a paradise for residents, vacationers and for a number of pests who prefer this type of weather for breeding, feeding and infesting. It can be a real challenge keeping a home or commercial property free from pests like cockroaches. If you have lived in Florida for any length of time, it is likely you have seen the cockroaches that thrive here. You may know there are some species of cockroach which can get quite large here and even some that have wings and can fly.

Cockroaches are hardy and notoriously difficult to get rid of. They are prolific hiders and roaches breed very fast, which can turn just a couple of sneaky insects into a full blown, whole-house infestation quickly. Taking care of cockroaches fast and early is key and that’s where Ehrlich Pest Control in Tampa, FL, can help.

If you own a commercial property or are a homeowner, and you need help with cockroaches, contact your local Ehrlich Pest Control office.

What are cockroaches?

Roaches are insects from the scientific order Blattodea, which is the same order that also contains termites. It is unknown just how many species of cockroach are on the planet, but estimates range somewhere around 4,600, with 30 of those species generally found in close proximity to humans.

Cockroaches are scavengers, meaning they will eat just about any organic substance. They love to eat food set out for humans, but are also fond of scrounging around in garbage cans and dumpsters to eat discarded scraps from meat to bread as well as other substances.

Types of cockroaches in Tampa, FL

There are several different types of cockroach found across the central Florida region. Four of the most common include:

• American cockroaches AKA Palmetto bugs
  • Seen most often around the Tampa area
  • Can fly and their wings are longer than their bodies
  • Prefer the warm, humid parts of a house like bathrooms, kitchens and attics
     
• German cockroaches
  • One of the most common cockroach species across North America 
  • Love the warmest parts of the house
  • The most stereotypical-looking cockroach (if you think about roaches) 
  • Very hardy species and capable of adapting to a variety of situations
     
• Asian cockroaches
  • Looks a lot like the German cockroach
  • Tend to come out at night and scurry for cover when the lights are turned on
  • They do have wings they can use to fly if needed
     
• Smoky brown cockroaches
  • The name of this cockroach describes its distinctive color 
  • Very good fliers and many Floridians often get them confused with Asian cockroaches
  • Have a shiny head
  • Will eat anything from decaying plants to animal feces

Getting rid of cockroaches in Tampa

The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to hire a professional cockroach exterminator to get rid of any infestation currently on the property. Cockroaches can hide in many places, so they can be very difficult to get rid of without a professional treatment plan to remove the existing roaches and prevent new ones.

Once the infestation has been removed, the best bet is to prevent further cockroach infestations by doing the following:

• Make sure the areas around your home are clean. Sweep the floors and get rid of garbage and food debris from kitchen counters and floors.
• Keep garbage cans away from your home. If you live near dumpsters, see if they can be moved further away from your home, specifically from any entrances.
• Seal up cracks in windows, below doors and in screens. Make sure holes in walls or siding are sealed, too. This includes holes in roofs and around attics. Cockroaches are small and flat and can get in via almost any space.