Facts about cockroach infestations you need to know
As the winter months close in and days become colder, cockroaches begin to search for warm places which promise food: your home.
Once they are inside your home, they can spread very quickly and cause an infestation.
People in the UK mostly associate pest infestations with rats and mice, but insect infestations are just as common.
Here, we outline everything you need to know about cockroaches, what causes an infestation and how you can treat your problem.
What are cockroaches?
Cockroaches are little scavenging insects that have a flattened brownish body.
They are found all over the world because they can live off anything!
In the UK, the types of cockroaches are:
What causes an infestation?
Cockroaches are very small, which means they can enter your home through a number of small pathways.
They can come in through any holes or cracks in walls, floors and skirting boards.
They can also sneak in through food and packaging from an infested premises, and even through second hand electrical goods!
When they hatch, cockroaches are smaller than an ant, which means that an infestation can go unnoticed until it is serious.
Signs you have a cockroach infestation:
- You spot live cockroaches. You are more likely to see them at night.
- Droppings and faeces. Cockroach waste can be solid or in liquid form – solid black-coloured droppings or dark smear marks.
- Foul smell. If you have large numbers of cockroaches, there will be a smell. However, you will see them before you smell them in most cases.
- Shells and eggs. Cockroaches shed their skins as they grow bigger. This is another sign of infestation if you spot these.
The health risks cockroaches pose to you:
Alongside being a general inconvenience and concern, cockroach infestations carry health risks too:
- Salmonella: they can carry salmonella bacteria which can be fatal for humans.
- E.Coli: They also carry E.Coli, which is another bacteria which causes food poisoning.
- Asthma: The droppings of cockroaches can cause allergic reactions and aggravate asthma
If you suspect or present symptoms for any of the above, seek medical help urgently.
How to solve your cockroach problem:
The first step to removing cockroaches from your home is to clean thoroughly and take away what attracted them to your home in the first place:
- Clean your home thoroughly to make your home sanitary.
- Close cracks and crevices in walls, floors, doors and windows.
- Take out bins regularly, and keep all your food in airtight containers.
- Hire a plumber to fix any leaks.
- Call a pest control company to eradicate your cockroach infestation quickly and efficiently. Read more.