Have you ever had a cold? How about the flu? If so, then you're familiar with the symptoms that come with these illnesses. But, do you know that these symptoms can be caused by cockroaches? It might sound strange, but having these filthy creatures crawling around inside your home can cause sore throats, stuffy noses, coughing, stomach aches, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and other common symptoms.
People who suffer from asthma will have even more trouble when cockroaches are present because roaches aggravate asthma symptoms. In today's article, we are going to focus on how to tell if you have roaches hiding in your home, the problems they cause, and the best way to keep your home cockroach-free.
What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are hard-shelled bugs that are difficult to exterminate without professional help. While there are around 20 types of cockroaches that call Hawaii home, three can be found commonly infesting homes: American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and Surinam (burrowing) roaches.
- American roaches like it hot. They thrive in temperatures above 82 degrees and typically hang out in basements and the first floor of multi-level buildings. If you live in an apartment, keeping it clean, dry, and cool will go a long way toward keeping your place cockroach-free.
- German roaches are the most common home-invading roaches in Hawaii. They are small and will thrive even in low temperatures. If you keep your home cool, it will not keep these roaches out. They do, however, prefer to be in humid habitats. Keeping things dry may help keep these roaches from sticking around. But, don't count on it.
- Surinam (burrowing) roaches like it hot. They thrive in hot humid locations. These roaches are not as likely to get into homes and stay, but it does happen. Outside, Surinam cockroaches are very destructive to gardens and greenhouses.
If you happen to see a cockroach or two, here and there, inside your home, you may be tempted to think that you have just a few roaches. But the truth is cockroaches stay out of sight. They will stay inside wall voids, under floorboards, and in other hidden locations until all is quiet and the lights are out.
Signs That You Have A Roach Infestation
Since cockroaches like to stay out of sight and out of mind, it is important to know the signs that these filthy insects leave around:
- Cockroach droppings: Look in the backs of cabinets, under the kitchen sink, behind the stove and refrigerator, behind small appliances, such as toasters and toaster ovens, and in other hidden locations. If cockroaches are roaming your kitchen at night, you are likely to see their droppings, which look similar to coffee grounds.
- Cockroach egg casings: These small casings, called oothecae, look like tiny purses. They can be found in the same places where droppings may be found.
- Shed skins: Cockroaches go through several instars from the time they hatch until they are full grown. Each time, they shed their old skin and form a new one. These shed skins can be found where droppings and oothecae may be found.
- An unpleasant odor: The smell that is produced when there is a large cockroach infestation is often described as oily or musty. But, these words don't really describe the awful smell cockroaches create. If you are detecting a smell that you would describe as "nasty", you probably have a roach infestation.
- Damaged food packages: If roaches are getting into your pantry items, you may notice tiny holes and areas of deterioration on food packages. You may also notice this kind of damage on other paper products, such as wallpaper, books and photo albums.
So What Is The Problem With A Few Roaches?
Roaches love filth. They hang out on things like decomposing goo at the bottom of trash cans, rotting food in garbage disposals, and dog droppings in the yard. When they hang out in dirty places or on dirty things, they can pick up harmful microorganisms, transport them into your home, and make you sick. Furthermore, using store-bought chemicals to try to kill roaches can backfire. Many roaches are resistant to chemicals. When you spray them and they don't die, they can walk on food-preparation surfaces and in pantries, spreading those harmful chemicals around.
While every roach is not carrying disease-causing pathogens, studies have shown that cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, more than seven human pathogens, and at least six named parasitic worms. You definitely don't need these insects in your home.
How Pest Tech Hawaii Can Help
If you are seeing the signs of a cockroach infestation (or the cockroaches themselves) it is a good idea to arrest the infestation quickly to avoid the threat of illness. That's where we come in! The pest professionals here at Pest Tech Hawaii are equipped and ready to handle any cockroach problem, no matter how big. Reach out to us today for immediate assistance. We're here to help with our effective cockroach control and home pest control services.
Client Review
As a Realtor with At Home Hawaii, I work with Pest Tech on a regular basis. The quotes are always competitive and the people we've been working with have been great. I highly recommend Pest Tech.
Request An Estimate
Complete the form below to request your estimate.
