Cockroach Removal Pros

Suffolk Pest Control has many years of experience treating and controlling cockroaches. Roaches are a pest that most people find disgusting, and they can cause the spread of disease and bacteria. Getting rid of roaches and roach infestations is one of our specialties, and we pride ourselves on our service guarantee (see below).

Roach elimination begins with correct identification. In the article below, we've provided some important information to help with this, and to give you some tips if you should determine that you have a cockroach problem. The very best tip we can give you is... give us a call today!

We will perform a through inspection, and recommend a course of treatment that will eliminate roaches, and also help you prevent re-infestation in the future.

Our Service Area

Suffolk Pest Control supplies roach control treatment and control services to the following South Hampton Roads communities: Chesapeake, Capron, Wakefield, Ivor, Elberon, Isle of Wight, Sedley, Carrollton, Courtland, Rescue, Suffolk, Dendron, Zuni, Surry, Boykins, Franklin, Portsmouth, Newsoms, Windsor, Smithfield and surrounding areas.

Roach Eradication

There is no way of knowing how many roaches are in an infestation or how long the infestation has been there. It is also hard to know if the occupants are doing things that will help or hinder the treatment process. For these reasons, Suffolk Pest Control will not warranty roach treatments. Some infestations will require more than one treatment. Sanitation is key when it comes to roaches.

Roaches: Types of Roaches and Behavior

When it comes to roaches that infest homes in Southeastern Virginia, their are two primary types, large and small. While that may not sound very scientific, the average homeowner can benefit by early identification by these two size classification. It will help us as we move forward with the extermination process.

Smaller Roaches Found in Virginia

Smaller adult roaches between ½" and 1" are typically either German Roaches (the more invasive of the two), or Brown Banded Roaches. Both types make their homes indoors, in areas where water and food are likely to be found, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Because they are nocturnal and do not like light, you will find them living under appliances or in other dark spaces. The time to spot them is when you first enter the room and turn on the light.

Larger Types of Roaches

If you see an adult roach that is 1½" or longer, it is likely an American Roach. Other less common large roaches include Australian,Smoky Brown Oriental, and Wood Roaches. The adult American Roach is a reddish brown color and at least 1½" long. They are also commonly referred to as Palmetto Bugs, especially in the South.

Because these larger roach types typically live and breed outdoors, they do not represent as big a health hazard to humans as German and Brown Banded Cockroaches do.

German Roaches and Brown-Banded Roaches - Health Hazards

Because German and Brown Banded Roaches often live indoors - in close proximity to humans - they represent a health risk, especially for children, the elderly, and those already weakened by illness.

Since these smaller roaches carry bacteria and viruses, they are known to commonly cause many sicknesses effecting the gastro-intestinal tract of people, including diarrhea and dysentery, as well as food poisoning due to their frequent contact with food that people eat.

In addition, airborn particulates from roach dropping, feces, discarded body parts, and bodily fluids are known to cause or contribute to asthma and allergy attacks.

You can see now why controlling and eradicating roaches is so important.

American Cockroaches and Other Large Roaches

American Roaches, or Palmetto Bugs in the South, are commonly found in warmer climates, or during the warmest months of the year farther north. Because they live and breed outdoors, only coming indoors in extreme weather or when food and water are scarce, they represent significantly less of a health hazrd to humans. You'll run into them in areas where your path may cross theirs, such as outdoors near foundations, stacks of wood, basement or cellar entrances, and the like.

Beacuse American Cockroaches do sometimes move from unsanitary environments, such as sewers and dirty water pipes, into homes and commercial kitchens in search of food, they do sometimes represent a health risk Like smaller roaches, they also carry bacteria and viruses, which can lead to diseases like salmonella, diarrhea, and dysentery.

The most effective treatments for American Roaches and their large cousins are baits and traps, as well as insecticides. Larger type roaches are typically easier to treat and eradicate than German and other small roaches. However, because roaches build up resistance over time to various insecticide, we recommend calling us at Suffolk Pest Control to help you deal with your roach problem.

Roach Control - Stop Cockroaches in Their Tracks

If you want to prevent a roach infestation in the first place, there are several important steps you can take. Roaches are looking for just a few basic things - food, water, and a place to live. If you deprive them of easy access to these things, they will look elsewhere.

Sanitation - Cleanliness is Key

When it comes to preventing a cockroach problem before it begins, you can't be too clean, especially in areas where food and moisture are readliy at hand. Specifically, this means your bathroom and your kitchen. Make sure you wipe up thouroughly after food preperation, especially crumbs, spills, grease, and meat juices. Pre-moistened bleach towelettes are very handy for this. Also, keep all water spills and leaks wiped up.

Here's a handy checklist...

Regularly wipe down countertops, cabinets, and sinks
Wash dishes frequently - at least daily
Clean up spilled cat or dog food
Keep all food storage containers tightly sealed
Take out trash regularly - and make sure it's bagged
Get rid of cardboard, newspapers, and plastic recycleables
Empty dumpsters and trash can regularly, and keep tight-fitting lids on them
Check foundations and entryways for cracks and crevices. Seal them
Apply caulking and sealant to door frames and windows
Inspect entryways, and behind appliances regularly for signs of roaches

CALL 757-934-2223

Roach Extermination Services