If you’re spending time in your kitchen preparing a meal, very few things are more disturbing than finding a cockroach scuttling in your cupboards or around your drain. Cockroaches are one of the most dreaded pests for homeowners around New Jersey, and they are definitely not an insect you want to confront.

While you most likely realize that cockroaches are disgusting and are considered unsanitary, you might not know just how dangerous they can be. They are known for carrying many different diseases including E. coli, salmonella, and gastroenteritis.

• German cockroaches are tan to dark brown color with two parallel dark brown stripes that run behind their heads

• Brown-banded cockroaches are a light brown species that have dark brown markings across their wings.

Cockroaches are always looking for easy access to food sources, and they will eat many things. They will get into all kinds of human and pet food, and they are often found in kitchens because of this. They need a damp environment to thrive, so if you have humidity issues, this could make your home perfect for cockroaches. They are attracted to areas that provide a lot of shelters. They can hide anywhere from under sinks to cabinets to even cracks in walls. So, if your kitchen or bathrooms are unclean and provide many hiding areas, cockroaches are likely to hide there.