CALL 
What do American cockroaches look like?
American cockroaches are the largest house-infesting roaches in Maine, growing to two inches plus in length. Reddish-brown in color, this species of cockroach also has a yellowish band that runs behind the head and wings, allowing them to fly short distances.
American cockroach nymphs look very similar to adults, except they're smaller and don't have wings.
American cockroaches lay their eggs in hard cases called oothecas. These containers are dark brown in color and are less than a centimeter in length.
What attracts American cockroaches?
American cockroaches are attracted to homes and businesses that offer food, water, and shelter. They prefer to consume garbage and decaying organic matter but will eat just about anything they can find, including but not limited to:
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Cosmetics
- Leather
- Book bindings
- Glue
- Wallpaper paste
Structures that have dark, damp areas are appealing because they offer the moisture and protection (i.e., hiding spots) these pests need.
Are American cockroaches dangerous?
American cockroaches, just like German cockroaches and other cockroach species, can pose a health hazard. These pests are known to spread over 33 types of bacteria, parasitic worms, and human pathogens.
Young children and elderly individuals may experience asthma and allergy attacks due to exposure to feces and shed skins of American cockroaches.
Can American cockroaches damage my property?
Along with introducing diseases and bacteria into your home and contaminating food sources, American roaches damage wallpaper, books, cosmetics, and clothing as well as other items found inside homes and businesses.
Is seeing one American cockroach bad?
One cockroach does not necessarily mean you have an infestation, but there’s a very good chance, it’s not alone. If you’ve spotted a single American cockroach in your home or business, do not ignore the pest.
Why do I have an American cockroach problem?
If you’ve discovered American roaches in your home or structure, it’s because they found a way in. Doors without weatherstripping, cracks in the foundation, and openings around wires, cables, and pipes are common entry points. They can also be carried inside in boxes and groceries.
Moreover, cockroaches move indoors when there’s a food shortage or a major shift in the weather. They prefer warm, moist, and dark spaces, such as basements, crawl spaces and even bathrooms.
How do I get rid of American cockroaches?
While there are plenty of DIY roach control options on the market, the best way to solve an American roach infestation is to contact an exterminating company that specializes in cockroach control. At Pine State Pest Solutions, we offer home pest control services for American cockroaches and also commercial pest control solutions that protect businesses from these dangerous pests.
Our services are completed in a timely manner by highly trained, experienced, and friendly pest control specialists. Contact us for cockroach control that includes a customized treatment plan.
American cockroach prevention tips
To prevent American cockroaches from infesting your property, we suggest implementing the following roach prevention tips:
- Seal all potential entry points
- Fix leaking pipes and appliances
- Eliminate moisture problems
- Wipe up crumbs and spills as soon as they occur
- Disinfect counter tops and other food prep areas
- Wash dishes every night
- Do not leave food on the counter
- Store food in containers with tight-fitting lids
- Take out trash regularly and do not allow outside trash cans to overflow
- Replace wood that has been damaged by water
Ongoing home pest control services that target American cockroaches & other pests
Home Protection
Starting as low as $35/month*
Pine State’s Home Protection is an affordable pest control plan that is ideal for homeowners who want general pest control services that target common house-infesting insects and rodents.
When you sign up for this ongoing service, you’ll receive an initial service visit to treat the existing pest problem and then seasonal service visits spread out over the year to ensure pests stay out. That’s a total of four services annually.
Pests covered under Pine State’s Home Protection plan include carpenter ants, cornfield ants, crazy ants, field ants, little black ants, pavement ants, Asian lady beetles, carpet beetles, cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, flour beetles, ground beetles, hide beetles, larder beetles, saw-toothed grain beetles, warehouse beetles, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, centipedes, clover mites, American cockroaches, brown-banded cockroaches, wood cockroaches, field crickets, house crickets, European earwigs, firebrats, bald-faced hornets, European hornets, deer mice, house mice, millipedes, Angoumois grain moths, drain moths, Indian meal moths, Mediterranean flour moths, mud daubers, Norway rats, paper wasps, pill bugs, rice weevils, silverfish, sow bugs, springtails, cellar spiders, daddy longlegs spiders, house spiders, jumping spiders, sac spiders, wolf spiders, Western conifer seed bugs, and yellow jackets.