7 Places Across America With the Worst Cockroach Infestations

They're gross, creepy crawlers who emerge in the darkness to feast on your leftovers. They'll scare the living daylights out of you when they scuttle around in the dark, lit only by the fridge light as you search for a midnight snack. But which places across America have the worst cockroach infestations? Let's find out.

Click through the gallery above to review!

Cockroaches have a preference for warm, humid environments. They love dampness, and if they get that in an area with poor ventilation, they're in roach heaven. Pair their ideal environment with plenty of food and water, and you can inadvertently support an entire colony.

New Orleans, Louisiana, is notorious for being a bustling breeding ground for roaches. They have the weather roaches love, and the aging infrastructure is like a "Vacancy" sign for roaches to move right into their preferred roach motels. Other areas with high infestation rates include Houston, Texas, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, and Dallas, Texas.

Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida have infestation rates between 30% to 40% in specific regions. When the weather is warm, you can expect a faster breeding cycle. These tropical and subtropical states don't get the kind of cold that keeps roaches at bay, which means they're a year-long problem.

Not only does humility threaten mold, but it is also welcome for cockroaches. In states where there is a colder climate, infestations are halted altogether. But 30% to 40% is quite the stat when it comes to roach infestation rates in certain areas.

Take a guess about which area might have a higher risk of cockroach infestations. If you guessed urban environments, you're right. When you have crowding, clutter, and cuisine all in one, roaches are happy to roam. In rural environments, they don't have access to the abundance provided in urban environments, so there are fewer infestations.

If the building is older or without proper maintenance, roaches are more likely to access it. This often occurs in low-income environments. However, modern construction provides pest barriers, especially in single-family homes. Apartment complexes or multi-family homes can be trickier, considering there usually isn't a cohesive pest control plan in place.

Yes, they're disgusting. You know that. But more than that, they pose a serious health risk. If you or one of your family members has asthma or allergies, roach allergens can trigger them. Inner-city children develop asthma as a result of their heavy presence in these environments—that's how serious the problem is.

Pest control can be affordable if you utilize DIY methods, but it can get pricy if you're calling a professional exterminator. If you go the latter route, you can expect to pay between $100 and $400 per treatment. However, if you go the DIY route, you could get away with spending anywhere between $40 and $100. In these situations, homeowners have more control over pest services than renters do.

IPM allows for sustainable pest control. It incorporates prevention and monitoring—not just control post-infestation. IPS focuses on several tactics like sealing entry points, the utilization of traps and gel baits, and the reduction of food and water sources that attract roaches.

If you're struggling to keep roaches out of your home, there are some effective methods of reducing roaches. Typically, targeted treatments and consistent cleaning are your best bets. Gel baits and sticky traps can help you identify where they're gravitating. Keep in mind, however, these are wildly resilient creatures. It's never a one-and-done treatment with roaches.

Aging plumbing and overflowing trash attract roaches like moths to flames. When there is well-funded sanitation, it aids in keeping the environment clean. So, you can expect fewer roaches in newer infrastructure.

The more you know about cockroach infestation prevention, the better off you are. Without the correct information, incorrect assumptions about how roaches thrive abound. Food storage and sanitation practices must be specific, and ideally, this information should be available in multiple languages. The early reporting of infestations prevents the problem from worsening over time.

Roaches don't like cold climates. So, places like Alaska see way fewer roaches. The cold is much too extreme. Other states where the weather prevents roaches from infesting include Vermont, Montana, and Maine. However, they can still pop into heated buildings, so long as they have access to food and water.

When there's an infestation, even your best efforts can fall short. Cockroaches will always return if there's something they enjoy in or around your home. That's why you must match their intensity with prevention methods.

Don't leave anything out that they might enjoy. Seal cracks and crevices, store food in airtight containers (preferably in the fridge or freezer), and keep your space clear of trash. Try to declutter, keep a consistent cleaning routine, and incorporate the use of sticky traps and gel bait.