Many people associate cockroaches with warm weather and humid climates. You might be surprised to learn that cockroaches can survive just about anything, including a Canadian winter. That’s why effective Cockroach Extermination in Toronto is crucial to keeping your home pest-free year-round.
The #1 Myth About Cockroaches
The biggest myth about cockroaches is that they only live in dirty environments. Cockroaches can be found in the cleanest of homes, restaurants, and even hospitals.
They thrive anywhere, where there is moisture, warmth, and a food source. Cockroaches are not picky eaters. They will munch on any type of leftover food, leather, paper, and even dead plants.
Cockroaches like to hide. They often live under sinks and appliances. But can also be found in electronics like TVs and modems, or behind pictures. They are nocturnal, so it’s possible to have a cockroach infestation and not notice it immediately.
How to Prevent Cockroaches
Cockroaches are very hardy. Once they are in your home or business, they can be difficult to get rid of. However, there are some things you can do to make the area less hospitable for cockroaches.
- Eliminate water leaks. A tiny drip under a sink or hot water heater is enough water to keep cockroaches alive.
- Toss out cardboard boxes. Cockroaches love to eat the adhesive found in most cardboard boxes. It’s better to store items in plastic containers.
- Store food waste properly. A few crumbs left on a plate is a cockroach feast. Rinse off all cups and plates if you can’t wash them right away. Package up leftovers right after eating.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
It’s essential to keep an eye open for signs of cockroaches in your home or business. The sooner you detect and treat a cockroach infestation, the easier it will be to regain complete control over your premises. Due to their nocturnal habits and tendency to remain secretive, cockroach infestations often go unnoticed until they cause major problems for households and businesses. Therefore, you should remain vigilant, keep your eyes out for the signs below, and take action sooner rather than later to eradicate these unsightly pests.
Egg Capsules
Cockroaches reproduce by laying small sacs that contain multiple eggs. The size and colour of these sacks change depending on the species of cockroach.
Strange Odors
A severe cockroach infestation will lead to a musty smell that can and will contaminate everything that these pests come in contact with.
Cockroach Droppings
Cockroaches leave behind small, dark excrement that looks like ground coffee. These droppings are generally narrower than 1mm but lengths may vary.
Shed Skin
If you think they are taking shelter in your home, check for cockroach skin casings. Throughout their lifecycle, cockroaches shed between five and eight times.
Smear Marks
If you detect smear marks on horizontal surfaces and at wall-floor junctions where cockroaches could be active, this may point to an infestation.
Damage
Do not only look for damage on food packaging; look around your home as well. The pests will attack bags, papers and leather goods as well.
Areas We Service
Our free cockroach inspection and cockroach extermination services are available across Southern Ontario. The major cities we service for cockroach extermination include: Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and surrounding areas.
Common Cockroaches in the GTHA
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are the most common kind of roach, and they can infest almost every type of dwelling. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common places that these roaches can be found, so they’re the most likely places to find them infested. Keeping an eye out for these pests is essential as they often enter homes through bags, boxes, and other containers.
It is easy to identify German cockroaches by their light brown or tan coloration and dual black stripes behind the head. Despite their wings, German cockroaches rarely fly and grow to an average size of 16mm.
American Cockroaches
Among the larger pests in North America is the American Cockroach. Almost all of them live outdoors, in warm, damp conditions, and they only enter our houses in search of food and water. The most common ways for them to enter houses are through basement windows, under doors, and through garages.
Reddish-brown or mahogany in color, with a yellow band behind the head, these adults grow to a length of about 3 inches (50mm). Furthermore, they have wings so they can fly to search for humid, warm areas to lay their eggs.
Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental Cockroaches are some of the largest cockroaches in the world, and despite their name, they are believed to have originated in Africa. They feed on decayed materials, garbage, and filth. The Oriental Cockroach enters our homes through gaps under doors and through pipes, sewers, and drains.
The color of Oriental cockroaches can range from reddish brown to shiny black. Female roaches do not have wings (only wing pads) and can reach 32mm in length. Males have three-quarter-length wings (but cannot fly).
Adult males generally live up to 160 days, while adult females usually live 35 to 180 days and produce roughly eight egg cases, each containing approximately 16 eggs.
Cockroach Extermination Estimate
Did you spot a cockroach at your home, business, or commercial property? Give the experts at Vanquish Pest Control a call. We’ll assess the situation and come up with a treatment plan.
Finally, it’s good to know a reliable Toronto pest control service provider that is always there when you need them and that has a proven track record for successful pest removal and control. At Vanquish, we strive to be industry leaders and we offer pest control and extermination services backed by 6 months guarantee, so you can rest assured that we will get the job done right the first time. You can get a free estimate which discloses all costs involved. With Vanquish there is no hidden fees and our prices are very reasonable.
Call us now to speak with one of our experienced roach killers and put your roach infestation behind you.
For our lowest cockroach removal prices in Toronto, contact us @ 647-403-0456