Researchers list this as the most common pest in Texas, but is it edible?
The extreme summer weather in Texas means unwanted visits from pests looking for a cool place to hide inside your home.
Insect pests like ants, wasps and roaches can come in through door sweeps that aren’t installed properly, weep holes on the exterior of your home or from overgrown vegetation.
Household pests are found across the United States, but research by Forbes Home took a look at the most common pests in each state.
Using information from the U.S. Census Bureau and repair and pest control websites, researchers found spiders were the most common household pest overall, with problematic presences in 12 states.
Scorpions were the least common, causing the most problems in two states.
In Texas, cockroaches were the most common household insect pest.
Cockroaches are the most common insect in seven other states: New York, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Cockroaches like to hang out in moist areas with plenty of hiding places and easy access to organic matter, the Star-Telegram previously reported. These pests are most commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Researchers also found that cockroaches tend to hide in clutter and could hitch a ride into your home on thrift items or used books.
Because cockroaches can spread disease and aggravate allergies and asthma, Forbes Home researchers recommend assessing your living environment and tidying up cluttered areas to reduce potential hiding spots.
Are cockroaches edible?
Cockroaches are edible, but only certain species that are prepared properly.
Edible cockroaches have some protein and are a delicacy in parts of Southeast Asia and Mexico, according to The Pest Informer.
However, the household cockroach species in Texas — which includes the American cockroach — are not edible.
Contact pest specialists if you have a cockroach infestation in your home.
