Pests in your home are more than just creepy, they can actually be dangerous to your health and property. Infestations of harmful pests, like cockroaches, can be a pain to deal with and total elimination of the problem is a tall order. You first have to equip yourself with the knowledge of how to spot the signs of an infestation and what helps to reduce factors that attract pests to your property.
Spotting Cockroaches
To avoid the dangers of a cockroach infestation, you have to know your enemy. Cockroaches are six-legged insects with oval-shaped bodies and long antennae sticking out of their heads. Most common varieties have a pair of silky wings tucked under their hardtop shells, though cockroaches typically crawl around on the ground and don’t fly great distances. That said, spotting cockroaches themselves is easier said than done. The critters are incredibly swift and tend to stick to dark, cramped areas where they can stay hidden. Even if they’re out in the open, they can skitter away in the split-second it takes for a door to open or the light to flick on.
Cockroaches: Dangerous Germ Monsters
Cockroaches are common invasive pests and most people know that they are unwanted, but do you know just how dangerous they can be? All of the following are serious health risks and property damage that can accompany a cockroach infestation.
- Disease: Cockroaches crawl around in filthy areas, like sewers and dumpsters, looking for food. They spread the germs from these areas all over, and their slimy, hairy bodies are perfect for attracting grime. Not only can everyday bacteria be spread by bugs, but roaches are known to spread other more serious diseases and parasites as well:
- Allergies: More than just germs stick to a cockroach’s body. Dust and dander are also tracked in with cockroaches. The mere presence of them indoors can cause some people to experience worsened allergies or asthmatic attacks. This is especially a problem for those with existing health issues or at-risk populations like the elderly.
- Stains & holes: Cockroaches will chew through anything they can in search of food, including plastic and fabric. This can lead to holes in upholstery or contaminated food sources. Cockroaches can also leave behind smear marks as their slimy bodies drag across surfaces. Talk about gross!
The Signs Of A Cockroach Problem
Since you’re less likely to see the cockroaches themselves, it’s better to be on the lookout for other signs of their activity. Act quickly if you notice any of the following:
- Odor: As cockroaches live and breed in squalor, the unpleasant odors of their nesting areas and discarded eggs can result in a disgusting musty aroma. This is especially a problem when roaches get inside of ventilation shafts, a common place to find them.
- Droppings: Cockroaches leave behind dark, rice-shaped droppings everywhere and they don’t clean up after themselves. Finding these droppings on surfaces or in near food supplies is a sure sign that roaches are raiding your property for food.
- Skin sheds & eggs: While they tend to leave these nearer to their nesting areas, it is possible to spot the discarded skin of cockroach nymphs as they grow into mature roaches. Discarded egg casings are also a sign of a population.
For Prevention Or Control, Contact Romney Pest Control
Instead of painstakingly checking every nook and cranny of your property for cockroaches or their signs, turn instead to pest professionals who can assist you. At Romney Pest Control, our expert advice has helped numerous homeowners and businesses with the prevention and elimination of cockroaches. Our inspections can help determine if a problem is already there or on the way, providing you with solutions and even more prevention tips so you can stay on top of pest infestations.
Don’t risk the dangers of a cockroach population on your property, call Romney Pest Control right away.
