Cockroaches flourish in environments where they have sufficient sources of three things: food, shelter, and water. Oftentimes our homes offer ample quantities of each of them that’s what attracts cockroaches. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports that 63 percent of all homes in the US have cockroaches even when the homeowner does not realize they’re there.
There are over 4000 species of cockroaches worldwide. They’re nocturnal pests and incredibly versatile, adapting to any environment, making their inhabitants extremely tricky to control. Roaches can survive up to a week with their heads and up to 30 days without food.
While roaches are aggravation pests in your house and quite unsightly once you encounter one suddenly, are they harmful to people? Can they make you ill? Let us answer these questions and more:
Can Cockroaches Bite/Sting?
While snacks from roaches are very rare, they are, in reality, possible. Cockroaches are typically not aggressive pests and have a tendency to flee instead of fight when faced with a predator. There have been rare cases, however, where cockroach bites did happen, most often when people were sleeping or pets were too weak or debilitated to brush them off. Cockroaches don’t create any kind of poison and can’t sting.
Where Are Cockroaches Found?
Cockroaches come from regions that harbor bacteria, like bathrooms, drains, and dumpsters. They feed on garbage, breed in sewage, and excrete waste over every surface they touch. Cockroaches are excellent hiders and especially favor moist and restricted areas. Cockroaches are thigmotropic so they need to sense contact on all sides of the bodies. As a result of this, cockroaches are generally found nesting under sinks, in wall cracks, in drains, around water heaters, behind appliances, in cabinets and pantries, beneath piles of cardboard and paper, and beneath undisturbed furniture.
Are Cockroaches Harmful to Human Health?
Cockroaches carry pathogens and germs that can cause disease in people. In reality, up to 30 different species of bacteria are discovered on cockroaches. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cockroaches can carry pathogens that cause many different ailments including gastroenteritis (with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), dysentery, cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever, plague, poliomyelitis, and salmonellosis. Cockroaches may also exacerbate allergies and asthma through their saliva, feces, and shedding body components. Cockroaches generate a protein that can trigger allergic reactions in people. In reality, studies have shown that about 26 percent of the US population is sensitive to the German cockroach allergen.
How Can I Avoid Cockroaches?
- Seal any cracks around your dwelling.
- Repair any water flows.
- Eliminate any sources of standing water.
- Try not to overwater houseplants.
- Wipe off your kitchen counters after every meal.
- Put dirty dishes right into the dishwasher or wash them immediately after using them rather than leaving them in the sink overnight.
- Wipe off your stove after cooking.
- Sweep daily and vacuum weekly.
- Keep firewood and compost as far away from the home as possible.
- Keep your landscaping and grass tidy and neat.
5 Tips to Avoid Cockroaches This Winter
Winter can be a tricky time to get cockroaches. While they are adapted to thrive in hot temperatures, these cold-blooded pests cannot survive environments which are too hot or too cold. In actuality, some species stop growing and replicating when exposed to colder temperatures, usually consistently below 45 degrees, for long periods of time. As temperatures fall, roaches will find shelter in warm areas, most frequently in our homes and offices. These buildings give them everything they need to survive the winter – heat, accessibility to water, and an abundant source of food.
Prevention is key when it comes to roaches. Here are five tips to prevent cockroaches from taking over your house this winter.
1. Clean Thoroughly.
Roaches are attracted to dirt and crumbs as a source of food Be sure to always wash dishes after a meal and put them away. Clean up any crumbs and spills immediately. Take out the garbage before going to bed.
Clean any dirt out of your stovetop. Maintain food sealed in airtight containers. Sweep, mop, and vacuum on a regular basis. Do not leave pet food, treats, and water out immediately.
2. Declutter
Clearing out clutter eliminates areas roaches can use to conceal. Keep rooms clutter free and dusted frequently.
Use plastic storage containers with lockable lids versus cardboard boxes. Eliminate cardboard and papers altogether as roaches like to breed in these substances.
3. Seal It Up
Roaches get into houses under doors and through cracks. Identifying these and sealing them up helps remove points of entry for cockroaches and other insects. Thoroughly inspect around doors and windows, along foundations and the roof, in attics and crawlspace vents, and around holes used for plumbing and utility lines.
For small cracks and holes, use caulk to seal them. For larger holes, particularly around pipes, use steel wool and foam to seal. Fine mesh wire may be used to seal around attic vents and chimneys.
4. Fix Leaks
Roaches, like most insects, need moisture and water to survive. Therefore, standing water or excessive moisture can attract roaches to your dwelling. Regularly inspect your pipes for leaks and fix them immediately.
Be certain that you check faucets, countertops, countertops, and appliances for leaks and excessive moisture. Crawlspaces are also a frequent source of excess moisture in homes. Consider crawlspace enclosure to help minimize moisture beneath your dwelling.
5. Call A Pro
A cockroach infestation can be particularly tricky to control. Prevention can only proceed so far in the struggle against roaches. If you suspect you have a problem with cockroaches, speak to a professional pest control services who will help identify the sort of cockroach you have, thoroughly inspect your home to identify points of entrance or food resources, and help set you up with an extensive roach control prevention and treatment program.
Conclusion
Cockroaches can be incredibly tricky to control and remove. For those who have a roach problem, contact a professional pest control company or schedule a free pest inspection now.
A pest control technician can thoroughly inspect your home to identify not just where and how cockroaches are entering your house, but also the particular kind of cockroaches to better treat and remove them, keeping the health of you and your family intact.