Common Questions about Cockroaches in Wisconsin
Worldwide, there are over 4,000 species of cockroaches. Of those thousands of cockroaches, however, only 30 share habitats with humans and are considered “pests’. Fortunately, there are only a handful of cockroaches in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest that can cause trouble. Unfortunately, there ARE STILL a handful of cockroach species that can cause trouble. In this article, we’ll cover the most common “pest” cockroaches in the Midwest, how to tell them apart, and answer some common questions.
American Cockroach
The American Cockroach is the largest home invading cockroach and can grow up to 2 inches long. Not only are these among the largest species you can find in your home, but they can also fly. Terrifying, right? In addition to their size, you can tell these cockroaches apart from the rest by their reddish brown coloration and the pale brown figure eight band on the back of their heads. American Cockroaches are most commonly found outdoors (thank the stars) living under rocks and logs, but they do come indoors searching for food, water and warmth.
Get A Free Quote
German Cockroach
The German Cockroach is perhaps the most common cockroach species in our region. They’re much smaller than the American Cockroach at roughly half an inch fully grown. These cockroaches also have wings, but rarely fly. Along with being a much smaller cockroach, German Cockroaches are lighter brown and have a distinctive pair of dark stripes behind their head. German Cockroaches are commonly found in sewers and garbage and enter buildings through cracks and crevices. They’re also known to hitch rides on packages, boxes and second-hand goods coming into your home.
Oriental Cockroach
The Oriental Cockroach is also commonly known as the water bug. They get their nickname from hanging around very moist areas and often coming in through drains. These cockroaches grow to roughly one inch, with females being slightly larger than males. Oriental Cockroaches are easily identified by their dark brown (nearly black) and shiny coloration. A strong musty smell also accompanies these pests. Oriental Cockroaches are able to survive freezing temperatures and move indoors for food via cracks, drains and underneath doors.
Are These Cockroaches Dangerous?
All of these cockroaches are considered dangerous pests. Not in the fact that they may eat you in your sleep, but in that they spend a lot of time in some really gross stuff before they come into your home. While they’re crawling through things like sewers, garbage and other disgusting things, they can pick up a lot of bacteria that they then drag and spread around your home. Cockroaches are known for spreading things like Salmonella and other diseases that can cause vomiting, fever, and diarrhea.
Ew, So How Do I Get Rid of Them?
Getting rid of these little monsters can be tough. They are really good at hiding, and breed incredibly quickly. The best way to deal with a potential infestation is to contact a certified pest control specialist, like the ones we have at Wil-Kil Pest Control. They’ll be able to identify the areas of infestation and properly eradicate the problem. Attempting a DIY solution could be dangerous to the people that live in your home, and are usually not very effective anyway.
If you suspect cockroaches in your home or business, contact Wil-Kil Pest Control today.