There’s one pest that many people associate with being nearly indestructible and disgusting. This pest is the cockroach, and there are good reasons for this perception. Cockroaches are a difficult pest to get rid of, and they can quickly infest a building and contaminate food and other areas of your home.
While most people know that cockroaches are bad and don’t want to deal with them, they don’t always know just how dangerous cockroaches can be. Cockroaches are more than just a nuisance pest, and while they are hard to eliminate, the more pressing problem is that they carry and spread diseases.
While you might have some idea of what a cockroach looks like, a brief overview is a good reminder that can help you identify if you have any cockroaches in your home.
Here are what cockroaches look like:
- They have flat, oval-shaped bodies.
- They are most commonly a reddish-brown color but can also be tan or darker brown.
- They can grow up to three inches long depending on the species.
- They have long antennae and six legs.
- Their legs have what appear to be spikes sticking out from them.
How Dangerous Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are dangerous mostly because they’re known to carry and spread many pathogens. Some of these pathogens can cause diseases in humans, and these diseases can often be serious.
The reason cockroaches are such a health risk is because of where they spend their time. When not in homes, cockroaches often live (and eat) in places like garbage, sewers, and around excrement. There they pick up germs, especially on their legs, and can carry them into your home.
As they are attracted to dark, damp areas like kitchens and bathrooms, cockroaches often contaminate areas where you spend lots of time and prepare your food.
Here are some of the diseases that cockroaches can carry:
- Salmonella
- Typhoid fever
- Cholera
- Plague
- Dysentery
- And many more
The shed skins and excrement cockroaches leave behind can also cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks in susceptible people.
How To Prevent Cockroaches
While you might notice cockroaches crawling around your South Carolina home or business, they are likely already spreading diseases before you notice them. Cockroaches are secretive pests and are rarely seen in the open unless they become overcrowded. There are other signs of cockroaches that you can identify early on, such as:
- Small rod-shaped droppings
- Discarded, shed skins or egg casings
- An unusual, musty odor
- Irregular-shaped, brownish smear marks
If you haven’t noticed any of these signs, now is a great time to try to take steps to prevent cockroaches. While it’s not always possible to completely prevent them, there are some things you can do to make your home less appealing to move into. A few of the prevention tips you can follow include:
- Cleaning up food and drink spills
- Keeping drains clean
- Vacuuming and cleaning often
- Emptying the trash often
- Sealing off entry points around doors and windows
- Sealing any cracks in the foundation and exterior of the building
The Best Way To Eliminate Cockroaches
If you’ve noticed any signs of a cockroach infestation, the best way to protect your home from these dangerous pests is to contact the professionals at The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. We can help you prevent these pests and also remove them effectively and safely. Call us today to learn more.
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