American Cockroach Calls Are Up 262% in the Shreveport-Bossier Area—Here’s Why
Homeowners in Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding communities have been reaching out to us a lot more about American cockroaches lately—262% more over the past two weeks than in the two weeks before. That’s a big jump, and the recent mix of rain and unusually hot weather helps explain why these roaches are on the move.
Why the Weather Is Bringing Them Inside
American cockroaches usually live in sewers, drains, mulch, leaf litter, woodpiles, and other dark, damp places. Those hiding spots can be disrupted when storms move through.
Shreveport recorded rain during a thunderstorm on September 5, and the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Shreveport and Bossier City. Rain can flood or saturate the places where American cockroaches live, pushing them to look for somewhere drier.
Unfortunately, your home may be the closest option.
The heat then intensified. Shreveport reached 100°F on September 12 and again on September 15. Those highs were 9 and 10 degrees above normal, respectively. American cockroaches prefer warm, humid conditions, and high temperatures can keep them active longer.
That mix of disrupted hiding places and increased activity helps explain why big roaches suddenly show up in your house, even if you had not been seeing them before.
They can make their way inside through small gaps around doors, windows, pipes, utility lines, and foundations. Floor drains and plumbing openings can give them another route in, especially when storms disrupt the sewer and drainage systems where they often live.
Does One Roach Mean You Have an Infestation?
Not necessarily. American cockroaches often wander indoors from outside rather than establish a colony in the kitchen, as German cockroaches commonly do.
Still, a roach inside means there is likely a way in. Killing the one you see takes care of that roach, but it does not find the entry point or reduce the activity around your home. If the same conditions continue, more may follow.
What You Can Do Right Now
A few simple steps can make it harder for American cockroaches to get inside:
- Check the weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows.
- Seal gaps around pipes, utility lines, and other openings.
- Repair plumbing leaks and reduce excess moisture around your home.
- Move damp leaves, thick mulch, and woodpiles away from the foundation.
These steps can reduce the conditions that attract cockroaches, but they may not address activity already happening around your home.
Get Ahead of the Next Pest Problem
Weather changes throughout the year, and the pests around your home change with it. Anti-Pest’s home pest control services give you ongoing protection, so you do not have to start from scratch every time something new shows up.
The Pest Plan includes:
- An initial inspection and treatment
- Quarterly exterior service around common pest entry points
- Interior treatment when necessary
- Coverage for American cockroaches and more than 20 other common pests
- Additional service at no charge if a covered pest appears inside your home between scheduled visits*
The initial service starts at $126. Afterward, the Pest Plan subscription starts at $42 per month. Start your Anti-Pest Pest Plan online or call (318) 506-8837 to schedule service.
*Some exclusions apply. See your agreement for details.
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