American Cockroach Control

Meet the American Cockroach: Pasadena’s Notorious Intruder

Ah, the American cockroach, the largest and most common cockroach in our neighborhood. These unwelcome visitors are among the most resilient cockroach species, making themselves at home in warm, moist environments. If you’ve seen one scurrying across your kitchen floor, you know it’s an encounter you won’t soon forget. But here’s the kicker—they aren’t just gross; they’re downright dangerous.

The Dangers of Hosting an American Cockroach in Your Home

Don’t let their seemingly innocent appearance fool you. American cockroaches are far more than an unsightly nuisance:

Disease Carriers: These roaches pick up bacteria and viruses as they roam through sewage systems and decaying matter. Once inside your home, they can contaminate your food and surfaces with pathogens like salmonella and E. coli.
Allergy Triggers: Their shed skins and droppings can aggravate asthma and cause allergic reactions, especially in children and the elderly.
Fast Breeders: The moment you spot one, chances are a small army is lurking out of sight, ready to take over.
Food Destroyers: Not only do they love scavenging your pantry, but their droppings can ruin entire food supplies with contamination.

If American cockroaches have made their way into your home, it’s not just an aesthetic problem—it’s a full-blown health crisis.

The American Cockroach Life Cycle: Built for Survival

American cockroaches (scientific name: Periplaneta americana) are no ordinary bugs. Their evolutionary design has given them a life cycle that makes extermination a tricky business.

Egg Capsules (Ootheca): Each female lays about 15-20 eggs per capsule, and she can produce a new capsule every week.
Nymph Stage: After hatching, nymphs look like smaller versions of adult cockroaches but without wings. These little guys go through 6-14 molts over a period of about 5 months before becoming full-fledged adults.
Adults: Mature American cockroaches live for up to a year, with females continuing to lay eggs throughout that time. This never-ending cycle ensures an ongoing infestation unless effectively addressed.

What Attracts American Cockroaches to Your Home?

Cockroaches are opportunists—they’ll move in wherever they can find food, water, and shelter. Here are some conditions that make your home irresistible to them:

Warm Temperatures: American cockroaches thrive in heat, making Southern California’s warm climate their ideal playground.
Moisture: Leaky pipes, humid basements, and poorly ventilated bathrooms are like five-star hotels to them.
Food: Leftover crumbs, unsealed pantry items, pet food, and even soap or toothpaste serve as a buffet.
Clutter: Piles of paper, cardboard, and even laundry provide them the dark, hidden spaces they love to hide in.
Cracks and Crevices: Any small opening in your walls, doors, or windows is an open invitation for these roaches to waltz right in.

5 Interesting (and Terrifying) Facts About American Cockroaches

They’re Fast and They Fly… Sort Of: They can run up to 3 miles per hour. And, while they’re more runners than fliers, American cockroaches can take flight if startled—making your situation even worse.
Thrive in Sewers: They can hold their breath for 40 minutes and even survive being submerged in water.
Taste Everything: They taste food with their feet. Talk about multitasking!
Good Memory: These pests can remember the layout of your home, making it easier for them to avoid traps.
Chemical Communication: They leave chemical trails in their droppings to guide other roaches to food and shelter.

Tips for American Cockroach Control

While it’s tempting to go full DIY with roach baits and traps, this strategy rarely hits the root of the problem.
Here’s what you can do to reduce their presence:

Seal Entry Points: Inspect and close gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and utility lines.
Eliminate Moisture: Fix any leaks and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and basements.
Keep a Clean Home: Regularly clean your kitchen and seal all food in airtight containers.
Plug the Drains: When not in use, block the drains to prevent entry from the drains.
Declutter: Remove piles of papers, cardboard boxes, and other clutter that offers them a hiding spot.
Remove Their Water Source: Don’t leave pet water dishes out overnight, and wipe down sinks to remove standing water.

But remember, these are temporary fixes. Once American cockroaches have established themselves, they’ll keep finding ways to outsmart you.

Why You Should Leave It to the Professionals

You could spend days cleaning, spraying, and sealing cracks, only to find that these relentless critters have outmaneuvered you once again. American cockroaches are masters of survival, and chances are, they’ve already multiplied beyond your reach.

American Cockroaches are tricky because they can enter from the exterior perimeter, the roof, the crawlspace and the drains.

At Pasadena Pest Control, we bring science to the battle against these roaches. Our team knows the habits, hiding places, and life cycles of American cockroaches inside and out, allowing us to deliver long-lasting solutions that keep your home roach-free. Our expert technicians use state-of-the-art equipment, a comprehensive approach and eco-conscious treatments to get rid of the infestation and prevent future intrusions.

Unless you’re ready to share your kitchen with a six-legged, fast-moving, disease-carrying roommate, it’s time to call in the pros.

Safety First

“Is it Safe?”

At Pasadena Pest Control, we keep the safety of your family and pets at the forefront of our minds as we plan and work, doing so with minimal disruption to your daily life. We apply chemicals according to the label, which in California is among the strictest and safest in the nation. We take into account your pets and plants, your family and the features specific to your property. At Pasadena Pest Control, we are well-trained on safety procedures, eco-consciousness and educating our customers. And yes, we are licensed, bonded and insured.

When you work with us, you will always know what to expect, how to be prepared, when we are coming, when we’ve started and when we’re done. In short, we provide The Service We’d Want in Your Shoes.

Call Us Today Before the Roaches Call Their Friends

Got roaches? Don’t panic—Pasadena Pest Control is here to make your home cockroach-free before they start sending out party invites. Schedule an inspection with us, and we’ll show these pests the door!

Home Protection Plan

This pest is considered a “General Pest” and is covered under our General Pest Home Protection Plan. For more information on our Home Protection Plan, see here.

Call Pasadena Pest Control—Because Chasing Roaches at 2 A.M. is So Last Season

Let’s face it, chasing down oriental roaches in your basement at midnight is not how you want to spend your time. Call Pasadena Pest Control, and we’ll handle these pests faster than you can say, “Why does my house smell like old gym socks?” Time to get serious about your roach problem—give us a shout today!

Questions Others are asking

We ❤️ love helping new customers! Don’t see your question answered below? Call us and we’ll
be happy to provide more information.

What do American cockroaches look like?

American cockroaches are large, reddish-brown insects measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches in length. They have a distinctive yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their heads.

Where are they commonly found?

These cockroaches prefer warm, moist environments and are often found in basements, crawl spaces, and around drains.

How can I prevent an infestation?

Maintain cleanliness, fix leaks, and seal entry points such as cracks and crevices to deter them.