How to Identify
– Small tan to light brown roaches seen crawling at night near stoves, sinks, or behind appliances.
– Oily fecal specks or smear marks in cabinet corners and along baseboards.
– Unpleasant oily odor in heavily infested kitchens or bathrooms.
– Egg cases (oothecae) in dark, protected crevices and inside appliance voids.
Habitat
Warm, humid indoor environments; congregates near heat and moisture sources — behind refrigerators, under stoves, inside dishwashers, and inside wall voids adjacent to plumbing.
Health Risks
Allergens in cast skins and feces trigger asthma and rhinitis, particularly in children; mechanically transmit Salmonella, E. coli, and other pathogens across food preparation surfaces.
Cockroach allergens can exacerbate asthma and allergic rhinitis in Asheville residents, and mechanical contamination of food-prep surfaces can spread pathogens.
Treatment
Gel bait placement in harborage areas, crack-and-crevice residual insecticide, insect growth regulator (IGR) to break reproduction cycle; sanitation counseling critical for long-term control.
Effective local control uses targeted gel baits in harborage areas, crack-and-crevice residuals, and insect growth regulators combined with sanitation counseling for long-term suppression.
Prevention Tips
– Keep kitchen surfaces, floors, and appliances free of grease and food debris.
– Fix leaky pipes and eliminate water pooling under sinks.
– Seal gaps around plumbing penetrations, outlets, and cabinet backs.
– Inspect and discard corrugated cardboard boxes, which harbor egg cases.
– Do not leave pet food out overnight; store in sealed containers.
– Keep kitchen surfaces and floors free of crumbs and grease; clean under appliances regularly.
– Fix leaky sinks and pipes to remove moisture sources common in older Asheville buildings.
– Store pet food in sealed containers and avoid leaving food out overnight.
– Seal gaps around plumbing penetrations and behind appliances to reduce harborage.
– Discard corrugated cardboard boxes stored in basements or garages that attract roach hiding.