Waging a war on bugs with advanced pest control services
Saying that people and cockroaches have an antagonistic relationship is a gross understatement. We hate them and they love us—at least, they love our cozy, food-filled homes. Fortunately, people have become a little better at defending their territory against these creepy crawlies. Here in Dallas, homeowners square off against American, Oriental and German cockroaches. As you may have guessed, each variety has its own charms. American cockroaches are large and proficient fliers. Oriental roaches are particularly scary looking. German roaches are smaller, but they make up for that in numbers.
Wonderful Roaches
Cockroaches are one of the most successful life forms ever. They’re found in modern cities, forests and every continent except Antarctica. There’s a lot to learn from these primitive yet highly adaptable bugs. For example, how do cockroaches survive in such dirty places? Researchers in Great Britain found the answer: Locust and roach brains have nine antibiotic molecules that protect them from deadly bacteria. Scientists have used these molecules to create more successful and powerful antibiotics that combat drug-resistant bacteria. This is ironic since roaches are known for contaminating food and surfaces.
Other studies have put roaches on tiny treadmills to see how they move. In case you were wondering, they walk like a tripod and keep three legs on the ground at all times. Aside from their work in the laboratory, cockroaches have important jobs in the real world. They’re scavengers that eat decaying material and enrich the forest floor. They’re also an important food source for larger animals. Although it’s surprising given their prevalence, only 1% of cockroach species are officially recognized as pests.
Inside, Outside
When cockroaches are doing their thing outside, they don’t seem to bother us. When they come inside, it’s a different story. Both American and German cockroaches spend a lot of time outside eating decaying matter. They hide in lawns, compost bins and wood piles. When it gets cold, they come indoors. They don’t need a lot of food, but they do require ample moisture. That’s why they live in kitchens, bathrooms, drains, sewers and basements.
If you’ve seen one cockroach too many, give us a call to request an estimate. Our Dallas-based team is trained to treat roaches and other common pests. We’ll inspect your property and protect the interior and exterior from unwanted visitors.