Cockroaches: Household Nuisances and Health Hazards

Fewer things are feared in terms of household pests than the common cockroach. For people who have sighted these unsightly critters in their homes, the immediate reaction can range anywhere from sadness to anger. When you see a single cockroach, you have cause to be alarmed because these incessant creatures prefer to roam in packs, and they’ll firmly plant down roots in any home where they decide they’re welcome.

Cockroaches do not only distribute their share of social embarrassment when you have house guests; they can also be quite harmful to your health. Although these creatures are not necessarily known to cause disease themselves, the fact that they forage with reckless abandon can wreak unhealthy havoc in your life. Cockroaches carry innumerable diseases, and they can transmit bacteria and infectious agents from one place to another by simply changing positions. These uninvited pests have been known to cause diarrhea, food poisoning, and other ill effects on humans’ health.

At Arrow Exterminating Company, we’re not afraid of these unsightly beasts. In fact, we challenge their fortitude, and we welcome the fight. We’re equipped with high-grade sprays, aerosols, and gel baits that will put cockroaches’ claims to invincibility to shame.

How Do You Know You Have a Cockroach Infestation?

Like anything, some of the signs may be more obvious than others, but if you suspect that you have a cockroach problem, it's imperative to keep your eyes peeled for evidence.

Here are some reasons you might have cause for suspicion if you think you have a cockroach problem:

Physically seeing a cockroach. Obviously, seeing a cockroach with your own eyes is evidence enough that you've got unwelcome visitors in your home. Remember, cockroaches are generally nocturnal creatures, which means they're far more active when the lights go out at night. If they're bustling around during the nighttime hours, they're likely to scurry and scatter when you turn the lights on. If you suspect you have a cockroach problem, but you haven't actually seen the evidence with your own eyes, nighttime is when you'll want to begin your investigation. If you're seeing roaches during the day, you may have a much bigger problem on your hand, as daytime sightings often indicate significant infestation and overcrowding of the roach colony.

Seeing Roach Feces. As unpleasant as it sounds, spotting roach feces can help you detect an infestation problem before it spirals further out of hand. The deposit can depend on the type of roach you may have, but visible signs can range from tiny specks of pepper to oval pellets.

Finding Roach Casings. Roaches breed aggressively, and as they do so, they lay lots of eggs. Roach eggs are housed in cases (oothecae), which are left behind when the eggs hatch. These casings are indisputable evidence that you have roaches in your midst.

Smelling the Scent of Roaches. Most cockroach species produce a pungent odor that smells musty. This odor will be particularly noticeable if the infestation has been ongoing. Living roaches can produce this smell, but as they begin to die and decompose, roaches produce oleic acid, which becomes quite strong and can overtake the air and even cause the taste of food to be altered.

4 Steps to Effective Cockroach Control

Inspection

Areas where you suspect an infestation should be thoroughly inspected. If you have even the mildest concern of a cockroach problem, it's worth looking into.

Proper Sanitation

You'll want to do a good bit of sanitizing your space after the fact to ensure the bacteria and particles carried by these pests are properly washed away.

Vacuum the Remains

Between casings, droppings, and dead cockroaches, you'll want to be sure your home is thoroughly vacuumed to remove the remains of dead (and living) insects.

Appropriate Treatment

Treat your home with liquids, dusts, aerosols, and/or gel baits to capture the culprits and keep them from spreading into further infestation.

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