Are Cockroaches Dangerous or Carry Diseases?

Cockroaches evoke feelings of disgust and fear in many individuals, despite their remarkable abilities that have allowed them to exist since the time of the dinosaurs. Did you know that a cockroach can survive for an entire week without its head and hold its breath for up to 40 minutes? 

While these quirks are intriguing, it’s understandable that most people would rather shy away from cockroaches than examine them closely. This could be due to their preference for living in damp and dark areas, as well as their ability to spread illness and disease. 

Not only do cockroaches carry diseases, but these fast-moving pests can also easily escape. Cockroaches run as fast as three miles per hour, allowing them to cover (and contaminate) significant ground in a short time.

USX Pest Control has experience and expertise in providing cockroach control services. Our time in the business has led to an understanding of these pesky, dreaded pests that most frequently invade homes and apartments, most often found in kitchen areas.

Diseases Spread by Cockroaches

Do cockroaches bite? Rarely. But are cockroaches dangerous? Absolutely.

Cockroaches are a health hazard for homes and businesses alike. Although they lack the necessary mouth parts to pierce human skin, their spiny legs can leave scratches that irritate and could become infected. Although minimal evidence directly links cockroaches to disease outbreaks, these pests are widely known to contaminate surfaces and spread allergens.

Studies show that cockroaches often feed on excrement and can carry and excrete disease-causing pathogens. They often travel between areas that have access to food and water, including kitchens and bathrooms, where they may come in contact with fecal material and carry it back to the kitchen.

When cockroaches are exposed to harmful bacteria, it has potentially far-reaching effects. For example, if a cockroach is exposed to a pathogen like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug-resistant bacteria, it can create a significant health risk.

Cockroach-Borne Diseases 

These skittering insects may carry around a virtual laundry list of molds, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Cockroaches also carry an amoeba that causes dysentery, a serious intestinal infection, and a parasite that causes giardiasis, a diarrheal disease. Other possible diseases that cockroaches may spread include: 

• Salmonella 
• Streptococcus 
• Staphylococcus 
• Cholera 
• Typhoid 
• Polio 
• E. coli 

Cockroach Allergies 

In addition to spreading potentially serious diseases, cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions. In fact, research suggests that cockroaches are among the most common indoor allergens. Children are particularly susceptible, but adults may suffer from triggered allergies as well.

Researchers believe that cockroaches’ saliva, eggs, excrement, and shed body parts contain an enzyme responsible for triggering allergic reactions. Wheezing, nasal congestion, ear infections, and skin rashes are all possible symptoms of a cockroach allergy. Some people experience severe responses, including asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock.

Can Cockroaches Cause Damage to a Home or Business?

Health hazards aren’t the only concern. Cockroaches don’t restrict their diets only to excrement. They also eat deceased roaches, organic fabrics, adhesives, and paper, which can create various degrees of damage. In many cases, destruction is limited to personal items like books, drapes, and furniture.

However, large infestations can create structural damage. Cockroaches can live under the floorboards, inside walls and insulation, and in other dark crevices. Although they don’t eat the wood of a home or business, they can destroy the adhesives holding it together. Serious infestations can also cause heavy wear due to the volume of traffic from insects traveling from their nesting places to food and water sources.

While health hazards are the most compelling reason to take advantage of residential and commercial pest control services, protecting the structural integrity of the property is also important.

Preventing Cockroach Infestations

Prevention is always preferable to dealing with an infestation, especially when it comes to cockroaches. That’s why USX Pest recommends our Platinum Home Protection service. It starts with a free inspection and includes treatment inside and outside to deter pests from infesting homes and businesses. We also seal gaps, cracks, and other potential entry points and provide regular visits for a proactive approach to total pest control.

How You Can Help Prevent an Infestation

In addition to the total peace of mind that year-round preventive services offer, homeowners and businesses can also take steps to help prevent cockroach infestations. Examples include: 

• Looking for Gaps: Scope out the area around the foundation, windows, and doors. Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal the potential entryways to keep cockroaches out of the building. 
• Clean Up Crumbs: Cockroaches love scavenging for food and are most active at night. Regularly cleaning up crumbs from counters, sweeping and vacuuming floors, and ensuring food is sealed in airtight containers can help reduce access to food sources. 
• Dry Up Moisture: Cockroaches thrive in moist areas. Promptly fix leaks and drips and use a humidifier in damp areas like the basement to create a less hospitable environment. 
• Declutter: Clutter can hide crumbs and even provide areas for cockroaches to take shelter. Decluttering can help enhance cleanliness while discouraging cockroaches and other pests from taking up residence.

Professional Cockroach Infestation Prevention 

Cockroach infestations can be challenging to eliminate and pose a danger to the health of people and pets. After all, where there is one cockroach, there are often many. Millions of homes and businesses experience cockroach infestations every year, but with professional treatment, it’s possible to regain control.

Even better, with professional preventive services for residential or commercial properties, you can enjoy the ultimate peace of mind. Contact USX Pest today to learn more or to schedule a free inspection.