There are two common roaches in New York, but the German cockroach or blattella germanica is, by far, the most common. This creepy insect can grow up to around ¾ of an inch in length and is dark brown with two stripes behind its head. Typically this roach will inhabit hot, moist kitchens and bathrooms and seems to prefer the backs of appliances such as refrigerators and stoves.

The American cockroach, or periplaneta americana, is only found in North America. Though not as abundant as the German cockroach, it is much larger, measuring as large as 2 inches in length! These scary creatures are a reddish-brown color and are typically found inside sewers or large structures such as prisons, hospitals, and schools. Though they are not usually found inside apartments, they can get in through sink or bathtub drains. If they find a water source, such as a leaky pipe, they will be more likely to stick around. An interesting fact about the American cockroach is that it has the ability to fly. But don't worry, because only the males can fly, and only on the hottest days of a New York summer.

Threats Posed By Cockroaches

While just the creep factor, alone, will make most people do whatever is needed to get rid of cockroaches, if you require a little more reason, consider the following.

• Cockroaches are disgusting. They eat the vilest things like feces, surgical swabs, toenails, body tissue, and other cockroaches. They are also connected to the spread of many viruses. In fact, they are known carriers of over 30 species of bacteria, some of which are E Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Exposure to these bacteria can cause polio, cholera, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, dysentery, and other diseases.

• Cockroaches contaminate food. After traipsing through sewers and dumpsters, they squeeze into your home and walk all over your counters, food, and silverware. If roaches have invaded your home, you could be eating germ-ridden food and not even know it.

• Cockroaches exacerbate allergies and asthma. Roach body parts and saliva secretions contain hundreds of allergens that can trigger a reaction. For folks with asthma, cockroaches can cause dangerous reactions.

• Cockroaches are sneaky. Cockroaches love to hide--behind appliances, under cupboards, in cabinets, inside sleeping people's body parts. Yes, you heard right. Cockroaches have been known to slip inside the ears or noses of sleeping individuals.

Is there a way to make sure you are cockroach free?

If you have been seeing cockroach signs or you just want to be absolutely certain that there are no roaches living within your walls, Thomas Pest Services can help. With pest management experience that reaches back to 1949, and affiliations with 13 supporting organizations, Thomas has the expertise and tools and pest control programs to get rid of the most common, and even the not-so-common, pests that invade New York homes.

Get help from Thomas Pest Services, and start living a pest-free life.