How Cockroaches Can Affect Your Health

Cockroaches are the one pest that no one wants to see, especially inside their home. These nasty pests not only are a nuisance, but they can pose some serious health risks if not taken care of. Cockroaches are among the most common invaders in many homes and other buildings. In the evenings, they search for food in kitchens, food storage, rubbish bins, drains and sewers. They are unwanted because of their filthy habits and bad smell. Some people may become allergic to cockroaches after frequent exposure. Cockroaches can sometimes play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases. Here, Lookout Pest Control, formerly Any Pest Inc., discusses more potential health risks cockroaches can pose.

Identifying Cockroaches in Georgia

• The American Cockroach – This species is the most common. They are chestnut to light brown in color. Mainly found around water sources such as sewers and pipes and in dark, damp places such as the basement. They are night active.
• Smokybrown Cockroach – Dark cherry or red in color. They are typically found in tree holes, attics and crawl spaces. They are night active.
• Oriental Cockroach – Cherry to black in color. They are night active but are usually not found inside.
• Asian Cockroach – Tan in color. They are attracted to light, can fly and can usually be found underneath leaf litter, mulch or high grass.
• German Cockroach – They are found in kitchen areas near warm appliances and sources of water. They are night active and in large numbers can cause allergic responses in children.

Preventing Cockroaches

• Dispose of Unwanted Clutter – Make sure that unused boxes, paper bags, piles of clutter, old newspapers and magazines are all disposed of.
• Clean Dishes – Do not let dirty dishes sit out.
• Eliminate Water Source – Roaches need water just like they need food. Fix any leaky pipes and never leave standing water in your sink or tub.
• Seal Your House – Roaches can find their way inside through the smallest of cracks and crevices. Seal any gaps, cracks, openings around pipes and any other areas of entry.
• Vacuum Regularly – Make sure to vacuum to eliminate potential sources of food.
• Store Pet Food – Roaches can feed off open pet food in your garage or on your porch. Be sure everything is sealed after use.
• Clean Around Appliances – Be sure to clean those hard to reach areas behind your fridge and stove. Also, consider cleaning inside of microwave and toaster ovens as well.

Health Risks

Cockroaches roam freely from building to building or from drains, gardens, sewers and latrines to your home. Because they feed on human waste as well as human food they can spread germs that cause disease. Like houseflies, they play a supplementary role in the spread of some diseases. In addition, they can carry the eggs of parasitic worms and may cause allergic reactions, including dermatitis, itching, swelling of the eyelids and more serious respiratory conditions. They are suspected carriers of the organisms causing:

• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Cholera
• Leprosy
• Plague
• Typhoid fever
• Viral diseases such as poliomyelitis

Cockroach Control

If you notice any signs or you think you may have a roach infestation, you should contact a pest control company right away. At Lookout Pest Control, we have the skills, experience and equipment necessary to help you eliminate roaches from your home. We are committed to providing excellent pest control services to all of our clients.

A roach infestation is unsanitary, and it can make your home a very unpleasant living space. If you are experiencing problems with roaches in your home, call us today. As pest control professionals in the Metro Atlanta area, we can help to ensure that your home becomes a roach-free zone.

If you need cockroach control service, call Lookout Pest Control at 678-888-0035 or contact us online here.