Why Are Roaches So Common in South Carolina?

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Why Are There So Many Roaches in South Carolina?

Here in South Carolina, we have our share of pests. Depending on the time of year, you might encounter fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, ants, or any number of other bugs. But if there’s one pest in particular that we seem to have a lot of here in South Carolina, it’s roaches.

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If you’ve lived in South Carolina for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen your fair share of cockroaches. Roach control in South Carolina can be challenging, and the fact that there seems to be so many of them here in the first place makes it even harder.

But does South Carolina really have more roaches than the average state? How does South Carolina measure up to other locations in the US when it comes to the roach population?

Each year, the American Housing Survey conducts a national survey of American households. In addition to all sorts of housing related questions, the AHS asks residents to report on the pest presence in their home. Specifically, the survey prompts respondents to indicate whether or not they’ve seen any cockroaches inside their home in the past 12 months. The results offer a fairly complete picture of which areas of the US seem to have the worst cockroach problem, giving us some data on where cockroaches actually live.

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Where Do Cockroaches Live?

As it turns out, none of South Carolina’s cities are in the AHS top 15 most roach-infested cities. But, South Carolina has a lot in common with the cities that did make the list.

First off, many of the worst cities on the list -- including New Orleans, Houston, and Miami -- are densely populated. Dense populations tend to contribute to an increase in the roach population. Here in South Carolina, there’s no question that Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville have been growing at a rapid rate and are densely populated. However, these cities don’t yet approach some of the AHS’s worst cities when it comes to population density or overall size. As a result, Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville didn’t make the top 15 list.

When you look over the AHS list, though, it’s clear that many of the cities on the list do have a number of important environmental factors in common with much of South Carolina. For example, cities like New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta, and Memphis are both incredibly humid and very warm. As you might have guessed, warm, humid weather makes for ideal living conditions for cockroaches. It can be difficult to get rid of roaches in your home here in South Carolina for the same reason: our climate is notoriously hot and humid.

Many of the cities on the list -- including Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., and others -- are also either very close to a body of water, and/or receive heavy amounts of rain. Wet conditions are perfect for cockroaches, and this is part of the reason why these pests are so prevalent in cities with heavy rainfall and/or proximity to water. Here in South Carolina, we receive massive amounts of rain, sometimes enough to result in flooding. And given that South Carolina has 2,876 miles of coastline and a number of large lakes, many South Carolina residents find themselves living next to water.

Lastly, most of the top cities on the AHS list experience fairly consistent weather year round. Consistent temperatures make it easier for roaches to breed. Here in South Carolina, our weather is also fairly consistent throughout the year: apart from a few weeks of cold weather in the winter, South Carolina is warm (or hot) and humid from spring to fall.

So, as it turns out, no cities in South Carolina are amongst the worst nationwide when it comes to the number of residents who report roach activity in their homes

But, South Carolina has a lot in common with the cities that did make the top 15 list. And that’s why it’s no surprise that we have such a sizeable roach population here in our state.

 

Get Rid of Roaches In Your Home

Getting rid of roaches in your home can be a challenge. On the one hand, prevention is essential. Be sure to keep your kitchen tidy, never allowing food to sit out overnight. Take your trash out in a timely fashion, and consider sealing up cracks and crevices around the outside of your home. These simple steps can reduce the likelihood that you’ll experience a roach infestation.

Of course, prevention isn’t always enough. If you’re already dealing with a roach infestation, it’s important to take action to get rid of roaches in your home once and for all. But don’t try to go it alone: roach control in South Carolina is tough, and you’ll want to enlist the help of pest control professionals.

At Home Pest Control, our team of pest professionals has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you rid your home of roaches. Contact us today to find out how we can help.

Want to learn how to prevent pests all year long? Download our free pest control calendar for homeowners!

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May 15, 2019


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