Cockroaches are one of the most reviled pests that can invade your home, and, understandably, the thought of dealing with an infestation is enough to leave you feeling squeamish. However, it is important to be informed as a homeowner about the importance of handling cockroach infestations the right way.
Too often, people resort to over-the-counter sprays that are ineffective and do not provide residual effects that continue working after the initial treatment. Yet, leaving roaches free to roam then places your family and friends at risk of getting sick. As you prepare your pest control plan, keep this information in mind about roaches.
There are Several Different Types
It is important to understand that there are several different types of cockroaches, and identifying the ones that you are dealing with gives you a better idea of why they are in your home and where they may be located.
- American cockroach: This type likes to hang around water sources such as pipes, and you may find them lurking in your basement or crawl space.
- Brownbanded cockroach: This classic kitchen type of roach tends to stay up high in cabinets and pantry shelving areas.
- German cockroach: This species of cockroach is known for causing outbreaks of disease, and they love warm, humid areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.
- Oriental cockroach: You might have heard this roach be referred to as a water bug since they tend to come up drains.
While your pest control plan will utilize many of the same strategies regardless of what type of cockroach you have, it helps to know where they tend to be located when you are planning your prevention strategies.
They Could Be Causing Your Allergies
Everyone worries about cockroaches causing diseases, and for a good reason! Although cockroaches don't usually bite, they do have little hairs on their legs that can pick up bacteria as they crawl through disgusting surfaces that contain decaying matter. When cockroaches leave bacteria in places you eat or drink, you can get sick.
While this is upsetting enough, it is more important to realize that cockroaches could be the source of your allergies. Some people are sensitive to cockroach droppings, shed shell particles, eggs, or even their saliva. For sensitive individuals, coming in contact with cockroach parts can cause the following symptoms:
- Skin rashes
- Wheezing
- Nasal drainage
- Asthma
- Sneezing
- Coughing
It is important to quickly eliminate infestations in homes where people are allergic. Then a thorough cleaning can effectively pick up any allergens left behind by the roaches so that those who are affected can breathe easier once again.
Their Population Increases Quickly
A roach infestation rarely involves seeing a single roach. This is because roaches have a prolific reproduction cycle that rapidly increases their population. For example, a single female American cockroach can produce as many as 150 baby roaches in her short lifetime of 30 months.
They Require Multiple Strategies for a Successful Elimination
One of the reasons why just setting off an over-the-counter fogger doesn't work as an effective cockroach elimination method is that new cockroaches will just come back later in search of food and water. It is also likely that you have cockroaches hidden in areas of your home that are difficult to access, such as inside of your walls.
For this reason, effective roach control involves multiple strategies to eliminate the current infestation and prevent future ones from occurring. For example, your pest technician may recommend the following.
- Applying pesticides with residual effects
- Sealing entry points
- Repairing water leaks
- Focusing on cleaning and sanitation
Typically, it takes a combination of professional treatments along with your efforts at eliminating food and water sources to find relief from your house's cockroach problem.
At The Original Bugman Pest Elimination Inc., we always recommend treating your home at the first sign of a roach infestation to prevent it from getting worse. Whether you see one cockroach or feel overwhelmed by their sheer number, contact us to make an appointment so that we can help you take prompt action against them! We also have a team of pest control experts located in Orangeburg and throughout South Carolina to serve you.
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