Oriental Cockroaches in Sacramento: The Perfect Storm and How to Fight Back

If you call Sacramento home, you’re well aware of the beauty and diversity of our city. A home full of creeks, lakes, ponds, trees, and summer heat. However, these very characteristics create the ideal breeding ground for oriental roaches. In this article, we’ll explore how the Sacramento environment contributes to the prevalence of oriental roaches, the potential health risks they pose, and practical DIY methods for homeowners to reduce infestations.

Sacramento’s Unique Environment: Oriental Roach Haven

Sacramento’s geography is full of intricate networks of creeks, lakes, and drains, which provide excellent water sources to encourage oriental and other large roach species to breed. Additionally, as our city of Sacramento ages, the ground continues to settle, causing cracks and voids to form below foundations, sidewalks, and streets. These voids are ideal nesting sites for roaches, which allow them to nest and breed right next to our homes! Finally, our scorching summer heat increases their breeding and activity levels, often causing them to come into our garages and homes.

Why are Oriental Roaches Dangerous?

While oriental cockroaches rarely bite, they do pose threats to Sacramento residents. Oriental roaches often find their initial homes in the city’s sewer systems, which can be a major concern for homeowners. In fact, the amount of oriental roaches in our Sacramento sewer system has gotten out of control, causing widespread problems in every corner of the valley.

These pests live in unsanitary conditions and sewage, which leads to them carrying harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and diseases, such as dysentery and salmonella. Roaches have also been known to cause respiratory problems such as asthma, especially in children and newborns. Thus, it’s vital to take proactive steps to prevent their entry into your living spaces in order to protect your family’s health.

How to Get Rid of Oriental Roaches

Whether you’ve found just one roach or many, it’s important to know how to get rid of oriental cockroaches. We recommend professional pest control services, especially if you have an infestation, but here are a few methods you can try on your own:

• Maintain a Clean Home: Promptly clean up food crumbs and spills to eliminate food sources. Since oriental roaches need water, it’s best to always ensure sinks and bathrooms stay as dry as possible when not in use. Store food in tightly sealed containers. Keep your home free of clutter to reduce potential hiding spots.
• Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and holes, sealing them with caulk. Ensure that doors and windows have proper weatherstripping to deter roach entry. Since roaches will often gravitate toward your garage, pay extra close attention to your garage door seals/sweeps.
• Yard Maintenance: Trim overgrown vegetation near your home to reduce outdoor roach habitats. Areas like ivy & dead stumps are perfect hiding places for oriental roaches. Store firewood and debris away from your house, as roaches can use them for cover. It’s important to eliminate standing water and ensure your yard & plants are not being over-watered. Water is vital for all life, including oriental roaches, so keep things dry when possible.
• Roach Traps and Treatment: Strategically use roach traps (glue boards) and bait stations, especially in areas with roach activity. Using these traps in the garage can be particularly effective and will help to catch as many as possible before they enter your home. Sprinkle boric acid in areas around the home where roaches have been found or are used to enter the structure, be sure not to allow pets or children around areas treated with boric acid to prevent ingestion, any of which can be harmful. Treat cracks and crevices with a liquid pesticide, and pay particular attention to deep voids and areas like irrigation boxes.

Sacramento Cockroach Exterminators

If these DIY methods don’t provide enough protection, consider seeking help from Barrier Pest Solutions. As a Family Pest Team, we understand the challenges that Sacramento homeowners face when dealing with oriental roaches. If you’d like assistance in protecting your home and loved ones from these pests, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring your peace of mind by providing family-friendly & effective cockroach exterminators in Sacramento tailored to the needs of your home. Reach out to us today to learn more about our cockroach control options and our year-round pest control plans.