Why Do Cockroaches Thrive in the Summer?
Cockroaches are a year-round problem on Long Island, but if you think you’ve noticed more of them scuttling around in the summer months, you’re not imagining things! Summer creates the perfect environment for cockroaches to thrive, and they’re quick to take advantage of it.
Whether you’re dealing with roaches in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, or basement, understanding why they’re more active in the summer can help you stay ahead of a roach infestation. Here’s what Long Island homeowners need to know, and how Knockout Pest Control can help you knock them out for good.
Why Cockroaches Love Long Island’s Summer Weather
Long Island summers are hot, humid, and the perfect climate for cockroaches to multiply. Roaches are cold-blooded insects, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the environment. When temperatures rise, their metabolism speeds up, causing them to grow faster, breed more, and forage for food more frequently.
Warmth isn’t the only factor. The increased humidity on Long Island in the summer months also creates damp, dark spaces where cockroaches thrive. Basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and kitchens often have the perfect cockroach living and breeding conditions, especially in older homes or those without proper ventilation.
What Attracts Cockroaches to Long Island Homes
Even in clean homes, cockroaches can find what they need to survive. Here’s what attracts them:
- Moisture: Leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and damp areas under sinks create a cockroach oasis.
- Food Sources: Crumbs, pet food, dirty dishes, and even grease residue around the stove can feed a cockroach colony.
- Clutter: Stacks of cardboard, paper, or cluttered storage areas provide hiding places that roaches love.
Once they’ve settled in, roaches are tough to eliminate without professional help. They’re nocturnal, quick to hide when threatened, and can squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices.
Common Cockroach Species on Long Island
On Long Island, homeowners typically encounter these common types of cockroaches:
- German Cockroaches: Small, light brown, and prolific breeders. They prefer warm, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
- American Cockroaches: Larger, reddish-brown, and often found in basements, drains, and sewers.
- Oriental Cockroaches: Sometimes called “water bugs,” they’re shiny and dark, preferring cool, damp places like crawl spaces and garages.
- Smoky Brown Cockroaches: Dark mahogany in color with a shiny appearance, Smoky Brown cockroaches are excellent flyers and are often found in attics, sheds, and areas with high moisture. They’re particularly attracted to lights at night and can easily move from outdoor spaces into your home.
Why Summer Cockroach Infestations Are Dangerous
Cockroaches aren’t just creepy and crawly; they pose real risks to your health and home.
- Contamination: Roaches can spread bacteria like salmonella and E. coli as they crawl over surfaces, utensils, and food.
- Allergens: Their droppings, shed skin, and saliva can trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children and sensitive individuals.
- Damage: While roaches don’t destroy structures like termites, they can damage paper goods, fabric, and even electronics by chewing and leaving waste behind.
Ignoring even a small cockroach problem can allow a full infestation to take root, especially in the summer when reproduction is at its peak, which can ultimately lead to a myriad of risks.
How to Prevent Cockroaches in Summer
While it’s impossible to fully pest-proof your home without professional help, there are steps Long Island homeowners can take to reduce the risk of cockroaches:
- Fix leaks and eliminate excess moisture in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
- Keep food sealed and stored properly, including pet food.
- Clean up crumbs, spills, and grease promptly.
- Declutter storage areas and eliminate cardboard boxes when possible.
- Seal cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and foundations.
- Take out the garbage regularly and keep bins sealed.
Keep in mind that even with the best cockroach prevention steps, sometimes these resilient pests can find a way in. That’s where Knockout Pest Control comes in.
Knockout Cockroaches for Good
At Knockout Pest Control, we don’t just treat the symptoms—we eliminate the problem at its source. Our expert technicians are trained in the habits of Long Island’s most common cockroach species, allowing us to deliver targeted, effective treatments that knock them out and keep them down.
We start with a comprehensive inspection to identify where roaches are hiding and how they’re getting in. From there, we customize a treatment plan using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies designed to eliminate existing roaches and prevent new ones from invading.
Our KO-12 Annual Pest Control Plan offers year-round protection, covering cockroaches along with dozens of other common pests, including ants, spiders, rodents, and more. Plus, our environmentally friendly, GreenPro-certified approach ensures that treatments are safe for your family, pets, and the environment.
Schedule Your Summer Pest Control Service Today
Whether you’ve seen a roach or want to be proactive before they multiply, Knockout Pest Control can help. We’ve been protecting Long Island homes for years, delivering fast, reliable service that knocks pests out for good.
