Cockroaches are easily one of the worst pests to face in your home. They are commonly recognized as being extremely resilient, making them difficult to eliminate; Pest World reports that they can survive up to 10 days without their heads (dying only because they are not able to drink water), one month without food, and 40 minutes without breathing.
Health Hazards Associated with Cockroaches
Cockroaches rarely pose direct harm to humans, so you may be asking yourself why you should be concerned with clearing them from your home. Although they do not bite or sting, cockroaches are associated with a number of health risks that should make removing them from your house a priority.
- Allergies and Asthma—The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the CDC report that cockroach saliva, feces, and molted skins are allergens similar to dust mites, which can result in symptoms that include coughing, congestion, rashes, and ear/sinus infections. This can also worsen already present symptoms of asthma.
- Food Poisoning and Salmonella–The US Department of Agriculture writes that it is possible for cockroaches to come into contact with and spread illnesses through food, particularly the dreaded salmonella.
- Varied Diseases—Pest World adds that cockroaches are connected to the spread of “at least 33 different types of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other human pathogens.” The World Health Organization (WHO) writes that this list includes diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leprosy, and dysentery.
Pest World also points out that cockroaches can move as fast as three miles per hour, which means they can quickly spread these diseases over a very large area. Ridding your house of these pests should be a top priority.
Are you facing a cockroach infestation? You don’t have to face these nasty bugs alone. Contact us for help in getting rid of these pests and keeping them out of your house for good!
