Pest control referrals, Augusta, Georgia
Roach control in Augusta, Georgia
A small tan roach in the kitchen and a big dark one on the porch wall call for different plans. Knowing which one you've got makes for a more useful phone call.
Call (706) 538-9714Calls answered: early morning to late evening
How to recognise the roach you have
German cockroach. Tan, about half an inch, with two dark parallel stripes behind the head. It lives indoors, mostly in kitchens near warm appliances and water.
Smokybrown cockroach. About an inch and a half, uniformly dark cherry to dark red, and winged. It comes out after dark, and it has been known to fly at people.
American cockroach. About two inches, chestnut to light brown with pale edges behind the head. It favors sewers, basements and other dark, damp places.
Source: UGA Extension pest guide B1412.
Palmetto bugs and why they are common here
Palmetto bug is a regional name for several large winged roaches, usually the smokybrown and its relatives. UGA entomologist Dan Suiter calls it a nice way to say cockroach.
Smokybrowns like warmth above 68 degrees and constant moisture. They live in knot holes in big hardwood trees, and they turn up in older neighborhoods with mature trees more than in new homes. They may come inside looking for water. A small roof leak can make an attic into what Suiter calls the ecological equivalent of a tree hole.
If your Augusta, Georgia street has large old trees and you see big roaches in summer, that is likely the story. Suiter says it's not anything you're doing wrong in your home. German roaches are different: they are tied to sanitation, and in apartments they can move through walls from a neighbor's unit.
Source: UGA Field Report, Is that a roach or a palmetto bug?.
What a roach visit usually involves
Roaches are a matter of finding where they live. Expect the company to check under sinks, behind the refrigerator and stove, and around the garbage for German roaches. For large roaches they may also look at crawl spaces, attics, gutters and tree holes.
A company often uses baits placed where roaches feed, and may suggest a follow-up visit. Ask what they plan to use, how to prepare the kitchen, and how long to stay out.
When to call
Call if you keep seeing roaches in the kitchen or bathroom. It helps to say what they look like and where you saw them. Suiter says bug bombs are ineffective against roaches, so skip them and save yourself the cleanup.
Meanwhile, fix drips, take out the trash, and keep food in sealed containers. Those steps cut their food and water while you wait.
Roaches: common questions
Is a palmetto bug different from a roach?
No. It is a regional name for several winged cockroaches, per UGA. In Georgia it usually means a smokybrown.
Why am I seeing big roaches in a clean house?
Large outdoor species live in trees, gutters and crawl spaces, and may wander in for water. It's not a sign of a dirty house.
Can roaches come from next door?
Yes. German roaches can move through walls in apartment buildings, so it helps to tell your landlord as well.
Got pests right now? Make the call.
You'll be connected with an independent pest control company that serves your part of the Augusta, Georgia area. Have your ZIP code ready, and say what you've been seeing and where.
Call (706) 538-9714Calls answered: early morning to late evening
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