WHY ARE COCKROACHES A CONCERN?

Dating back as far as 5 million years ago (to prehistoric times), the cockroach is the most adaptable and resilient insect on the planet.

To say they are despised for their looks is an understatement. For most, just the word ‘cockroach’ or ‘roach’, invokes a full body shudder from head to toe.  These insects may not have good looks going for them, but their ability to adjust to their surroundings has been the key to their longevity on this planet.

While commonly found in unsanitary environments, they can be an issue anywhere - homes, apartments, day care facilities, schools, restaurants, hotels, motels, healthcare facilities, food distribution centers, food warehouse facilities and even various modes of transportation, like buses, trains and planes.

Cockroaches require three things for survival:

1. Food
2. Water
3. Non-freezing temperatures.

Interestingly, these insects can survive a week with no water or food. And while favouring to live in warm, humid environments (having originated from the tropics), they have adapted to colder weather by venturing indoors to seek a favourable environments, especially basements, kitchens and bathrooms.

The most concerning things about these insects is how utterly unsanitary they are and the health risks they pose to people.

Here's why:

• Cockroaches are true scavengers, crawling through garbage and sewers and eating absolutely anything they find to survive.
• They often live in sewer systems and gain access to homes and businesses by travelling up through drains.
• Cockroach droppings, saliva and their decomposing bodies contain allergen proteins which can cause health issues, specifically childhood breathing issues such as asthma.
• 33 kinds of bacteria are known to be spread by cockroaches, including food borne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella, 7 kinds of human pathogens and 6 types of parasitic worms.

Knowing the above, it's understandable why cockroaches cause worry and strain (emotional and financial) for people and businesses. No one want to become sick, or see others like family, friends, employees, or customers, fall ill, A cockroach infestation can seriously impact one's quality of life, For a business, this can damage it's reputation, and bottom line.

Now just because you find a single cockroach does not mean you have an infestation. Here are some signs that you may have a cockroach infestation:

• Sighting live cockroaches at night.
• Sighting a few live cockroaches during the day (more common with a large infestation).
• Uncovering dead cockroach bodies.
• Finding their droppings, which resemble black pepper or coffee grounds on counters, behind or under sinks, fridges, or stoves.
• Discovering a strong and unpleasant musty or oily smell (also a sign of a very large infestation).

If you're connerned about cockroaches, check out  these tip to help you get rid of cockroaches. Getting rid of cockroaches is not always easy or quick. Professional help may be needed.

If you need help to get rid of a cockroach infestation, contact the experts at Environmental Pest Control.