As a rule, pests are annoying, and property owners prefer them to be anywhere but on their property. However, some pests like cockroaches take things further by being a threat to anyone residing on the premises.
Before we dive into how they're a threat, we need to examine the species common to the Honolulu area:
- German Cockroach: This breed is roughly around half an inch long and light brown. They are usually found indoors in large numbers. For this reason, professional pest control is a must with this breed. As a rule, this species will reside in damp and warm areas of the home.
- American Cockroach: This species is pretty big, considering it can grow up to three inches. In addition to their size, they have wings that enable them to fly. Their dark reddish-brown coloring can further identify the American cockroach. Fortunately, they don't usually come inside, so there's that.
- Surinam Cockroach: Much smaller than the previous entry, this species only makes it up to an inch in length. They are dark brown to black and possess shiny brown wings. Fortunately, this one doesn't fly very well. Instead, they're known to burrow into the ground. The Surinam cockroach is a plant menace. They love to hang out in gardens and greenhouses, mostly because plants are part of their diet.
We mentioned that cockroaches are a threat to your well-being. The reason is they transmit diseases and cause additional health problems regardless of the species that have invaded your property. That's why we're going to explore exactly how they transmit diseases.
How Cockroaches Transmit Disease
Unlike some pests that transmit diseases through a bite, roaches spread diseases through their habits and behaviors. They dig through trash and septic waste, among other hazardous areas, in search of food. As such, pathogens end up adhering to their body and feet. So, anywhere you see a cockroach traveling is an area or an item that's now contaminated.
Some of the most common illnesses cockroaches spread include salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, leprosy, plague, E. coli, listeriosis, and giardia, among others. In addition to diseases, cockroaches can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions, making them even more of a health hazard.
Identify And Prevent
With cockroaches, it's never just one or two that you're dealing with. Instead, you're dealing with dozens of them or more. The best way to handle this is to know the signs of an infestation so that you can stay ahead of the problem. The most common signs are:
- Droppings: Their droppings are similar in appearance to ground coffee or black pepper. If you notice them, you likely have an infestation on your hands. Be careful cleaning up their droppings since the pathogens they carry live on in their digestive systems.
- Smear marks: With the high humidity in Hawaii, you're likely to observe smear marks left behind by cockroaches during their travel. You'll usually see these on horizontal surfaces and wall-floor junctions.
- Cockroach eggs: When cockroaches lay eggs, they lay capsules that contain multiple eggs. If you notice these on the premises, it's time to take action since as many as 30 can hatch.
- Shed skin: As cockroaches grow, they shed their skins. They do this five to eight times during their life cycle. With an active infestation, you're bound to discover these skins.
While there are other signs of an infestation, including sighting the cockroaches themselves, the best thing to do is to focus on prevention while you still can. Stick to the following tips to minimize your chances of an infestation:
- Sanitation: Cockroaches are creatures of habit to an extent. By wiping down surfaces and mopping and sweeping floors, you not only ensure pathogens are neutralized but also prevent a pattern from being established.
- Kitchen: Cockroaches love your food and crumbs. Plus, they need water to thrive. That's why the kitchen is the most popular room for cockroaches that make it inside. By focusing your efforts on this room, you cut away a lot of their base.
- Trash disposal: We mentioned they like garbage; this is true for your trash as well. Make sure everything is sealed and disposed of properly to keep roaches away from the building.
- Vacuuming: Egg sacs represent potential new generations of cockroaches. They often leave them on the carpet and other flooring. You can head this off by practicing regular vacuuming and sweeping. No eggs mean no new generations.
Eliminate Cockroaches With Able Pest Management, LLC
When pests invade, they mess with your sense of security and comfort. In addition, cockroaches threaten your very health. That's why at Able Pest Management, we act quickly to deliver the pest control results needed to take back control of your home. Our range of services includes cockroach control.