Longer days and warmer nights are great things about summer. However, this time of year also brings some issues, such as an increase in cockroach activity. Many folks have probably become accustomed to seeing cockroaches run across their floors, but the sight of a flying pest can be alarming. This surprisingly scary experience often results in people screaming while wondering why cockroaches fly and if they pose any real threat. And most importantly, how to get rid of them!
To better understand these fascinating insects, let’s take a closer look at what makes them so intriguing.
Why Do Cockroaches Fly More in Summer?
Contrary to popular belief that cockroaches cannot fly, it’s not the case. The most commonly seen species of cockroaches (Australian and American) are able to fly short distances with the help of their wings. However, the majority of cockroaches do not fly.
During the summer months, many factors contribute to the flights of cockroaches:
- High levels of humidity create ideal environments for cockroaches’ survival and reproduction.
- High temperatures increase cockroach metabolic rate.
- Mating season peaks in summer for most species.
- Food availability due to open windows, people eating outdoors, and waste.
Cockroaches may fly because they are disturbed, looking for food or escaping from heat, and are overcrowded. Cockroaches may also be drawn inside by bright lights encountered in the evening.
Are Flying Cockroaches Dangerous?
Many people have heard of the many health risks that cockroaches pose, especially when they are able to fly. Although these insects cannot sting or bite aggressively, they are carriers of bacteria, pathogens, and allergens that can contaminate both surfaces and food.
Some of the serious threats associated with cockroaches include:
- Contamination of kitchens, food prep areas, and pantries.
- The ability to cause asthma and/or allergic reactions in young children (also adults).
- Transmission of bacteria (example: Salmonella, E. coli) to other areas.
- Quickly breeds and allows fast infestations to occur.
Flying cockroaches can reach many areas that may be out of reach for the average person. Therefore, they may indicate there are larger infestations than what is visible right away.
Why Summer Infestations Escalate Quickly
One female cockroach can produce hundreds of offspring in a single year. In summer, their lifecycle accelerates, allowing populations to grow rapidly within walls, roofs, drains, and storage spaces.
The female cockroach can produce many offspring each year. During the summer, there’s a window of opportunity for all cockroaches to grow their population quickly. The most common breeding spaces for them are your home’s roof, plumbing areas, and drains, as well as inside your garage/storage spaces.
Therefore, having a professional cockroach pest control Sydney is essential during summer months. The DIY insect sprays may kill existing cockroaches, but they won’t affect their reproductive cycle, and also won’t address entry points, nests, or eggs.
Common Entry Points for Flying Cockroaches
A cockroach is highly adaptive and can gain entry into residential and commercial structures through surprisingly small areas, including:
- Gaps around HVAC units
- Open doors and windows
- Vents in ceilings and roofing spaces
- Drains and plumbing connections
- Cracks in walls or flooring
Once they gain entry into your house, they live near food sources and moisture, like laundry areas, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Prevention Tips to Keep Flying Cockroaches Away
Here’s how you can reduce the risk of flying cockroaches in your home:
1. Eliminate Food and Water Sources
- Clean up spills immediately
- Use sealed containers to store food
- Do not leave your pet’s food out overnight
- Fix dripping faucets and pipes
2. Seal Off Entry Points
- Add screens to your windows to keep flies out
- Seal all cracks, gaps, and holes where pests can enter your home
- Cover your drains when they are not being used
3. Have Regular Professional Inspections
A professional pest control Sydney is essential to identify any hidden infestations before they become a bigger issue.
4. Maintain Outdoor Areas
- Keep your rubbish bins tightly sealed
- Clean up any leaves or debris
- Trim trees and shrubs away from your house
End of Lease and Rental Properties: A Common Hotspot
As rental properties can easily become infested with flying cockroaches, this problem cannot be avoided when moving out of any rental property. Unchecked vacant homes allow these pests to increase and spread unnoticed.
To prevent pest infestations from being found in vacant homes, a professional end of lease pest control Sydney service must be hired. The experts perform necessary treatments on the property to ensure compliance with local real estate regulations. This further protects incoming tenants from any unwanted pest surprises.
Why Choose Professional Cockroach Control?
Usually, flying cockroaches are rarely a one-off situation. Instead, they usually point to more serious infestation issues that need specific treatment types, commercial-grade pesticides, and specialised knowledge.
At Now Pest Control, we concentrate on:
- Discovering the root causes of infestations.
- Providing consumers with non-toxic, safe, effective, and environmentally conscious treatments.
- Implementing long-term strategies for preventive treatment.
- Customising treatments to address the needs of homes, businesses, and rental units.
Conclusion:
Cockroaches are certainly one of summer’s most disturbing surprises, but they do not have to dominate your living environment. The best way to get rid of them is to understand the reasons for their presence. Also, find out the types of dangers that they bring with them and then address the ways to stop them.
With proactive treatment solutions from Now Pest Control, you can have a cleaner and safer summer without having to worry about flying wings through your living room.