Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Cockroaches are known for being both unsettling and unsanitary, but are they actually dangerous? Very much so. Cockroaches pose a danger to humans with their natural habit of feeding and harboring in damp and unsanitary places such as sewers, garbage disposals, kitchens, and bathrooms. They pick up germs from these places and spread them to food preparation surfaces, food supplies, dishes, and utensils. Just like rodents, roaches contaminate more food than they consume. Besides bacteria and other disease-producing organisms found on the cockroach's body, roaches in Boca Raton can also trigger life-threatening asthma attacks from allergens they produce.

Do Cockroaches Carry Diseases?

The feeding and nesting habits of roaches mean that they carry a wide range of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. These microorganisms contaminate the foods we consume, causing illness that can be potentially dangerous to humans. Cockroaches can spread 33 kinds of bacteria and six parasitic worms, including E.coli and salmonella, the most common bacteria that cause gastroenteritis from food poisoning.

Symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach pain and cramps

• Blood in stool

• Fever and headaches

• Loss of appetite

Cockroaches are proven or suspect carriers of pathogens that cause:

• Diarrhea

• Dysentery

• Cholera

• Leprosy

• Plague

• Typhoid fever

How to Prevent Cockroaches from Spreading Diseases

Prevention is the best cure to any disease. When it comes to these crawling insects, making sure they don’t get inside your home is the best prevention. We utilize a pest prevention method known as Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. IPM is a process that solves pest problems by focusing on long-term prevention of pests through a combination of techniques while minimizing the risk to people and the environment.

IPM approach for managing pests are grouped into four categories:

• Biological controls

• Cultural controls

• Mechanical and physical controls

• Chemical controls

Modifying the environment and sealing gaps are the most effective methods for preventing cockroaches. The best cultural control is cleanliness and hygiene — a clean house will make your property less appealing to cockroaches. The best mechanical control is to reduce the number of entry points and accessibility for cockroaches.

Tips to make your home less appealing to cockroaches:

• Store food in tight containers or refrigerators.

• Clean floors, work surfaces, sinks, and drains regularly.

• Pick up fragments of food or organic matter from the floor.

• Remove food or grease around the oven and backsplash wall.

• Check under the sink and make sure it is dry and free of moisture.

Tips to reduce entry points and accessibility for cockroaches:

• Inspect and seal gaps under doors and garage doors.

• Caulk small gaps around pipes and utility lines.

• Foam large gaps such as AC line covers.

• Seal broken vents.

• Inspect groceries or furniture before bringing them into the house.

• Keep away family or friends that live with a roach infestation in their home.

Chemical control is the use of pesticides and should be used in combination with the above approaches.

Let the Pros at GOTBUGSIKILL Handle it

If you notice a sudden increase of roaches or you are not able to control a lingering infestation, it's time to call the pros. For the best cockroach removal service in South Florida, call GOTBUGSIKILL. Our company provides safe and effective pest control solutions to homeowners in Boca Raton and surrounding cities. Whether you live in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Parkland, Delray Beach, or Boynton Beach, we can help. We are committed to protecting the health of your family and loved ones!