Cockroach Facts

Do you hate the sound of a bug crunch under a shoe almost as much as the bug itself?  If so, you can most likely relate to my strong dislike and slightly irrational fear of the ugly yet seemingly harmless cockroach.  But are these unsightly critters merely getting a bad rep due to their outward appearance or is there more that meets the eye?  Let’s take a closer look at some helpful and important facts to take into consideration when dealing with these pesky and scary looking bugs.

 

1. Food contamination: Cockroaches can virtually live by eating anything. Apart from the food we eat, they also feed on dead plant, animals, faecal matter, glue, soap, paper, leather and even strands of fallen hair. While crawling around at nights, they contaminate open food by defecating on it, leaving behind hair and dead skin and depositing empty egg shells in it.
2. Inoculation of disease-causing bacteria: While feeding cockroaches regurgitate their own saliva and digestive fluids from their mouth to inoculate your food with germs or bacteria residing in their gut. A study found that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can multiply extensively in gut of cockroaches. It can cause several diseases like urinary tract infections, digestive problems and sepsis.
3. Cockroach bites: Some species of cockroaches have been found to bite humans. These cases are rare but if your home is heavily infested with these insects then you should be careful because they can nibble on fingernails, toes and soft parts of the skin causing wounds.
4. Invasion of body parts: Cockroaches can not only invade your home but also your body parts. There are several cases of cockroaches entering the ear and nose while sleeping. Small cockroaches can readily enter body orifices if you’re in deep sleep.
5. Food poisoning: In an epidemic outbreak of food poisoning, it was found that the incidence of new cases dropped abruptly after cockroach infestation was eliminated. The insect is also a home for the bacterium Salmonella which can cause typhoid and food poisoning.
6. Allergies: Cockroaches can cause allergies. Their saliva secretion and body parts contain hundreds of allergens that can trigger an undesirable reaction. You may suffer from skin rashes, sneezing and watery eyes.
7. Asthma: Cockroaches can be the worst enemies of asthmatic people. The incidence of asthma attack may increase if your house is infested with cockroaches. Cockroach allergens can cause severe complications and can even be life-threatening. And people who are not asthmatic may develop cockroach asthma by inhaling cockroach allergens.

 

If you found yourself having a slight panic attack after reading these not-so-fun facts, fear not, we have some simple yet effective solutions you can implement daily in your home!

 

1. Ensure that areas like the sink and the food preparation area is cleaned before you go to sleep.
2. Empty the dustbin in your kitchen regularly and always keep it covered. A pile of garbage is an open invitation to cockroaches.
3. Don’t leave your food open at nights to prevent contamination. Preferably, store all food stuffs in sealed containers. Clean your refrigerator regularly, at least once in a week.
4. Never keep old newspapers, books and magazines stacked openly.
5. Keep cockroach sprays handy so that you can kill them instantly when you see them. You can also use cockroach baits and other products in the market to get rid of hidden cockroaches in your home. Sprinkle some boric acid near cracks and crevices.
6. Block all entrances from where you think cockroaches are gaining entry into your home. Seal tiny cracks and holes present in the walls to prevent cockroaches from making a permanent home over there.
7. Pest control for heavy infestation is a must. Good sanitation should be practiced after pest control to prevent further infestation.

Just like number 7 mentions, if you find yourself dealing with more than the casual sighting of a cockroach in or around your home, give us a call for a fast and FREE quote at (630) 451-8101.