Cockroaches are problematic at best. These insects get into our homes and can contaminate our food sources and food preparation surfaces. In nature, they’re part of the cleanup crew, feeding on dead animals, droppings, and decomposing plant material. These food sources can carry harmful microorganisms. When cockroaches move from contaminated areas onto a kitchen counter, they may transfer bacteria to surfaces and food. Because of that, it’s important to call a Tulsa exterminator if you have a cockroach infestation. Let’s take a look at cockroaches and what you can do to get rid of them.
Cockroaches can find their way into your home through several routes. Some hitchhike inside on grocery bags or other belongings. Once they find a good harborage point, they may begin reproducing, and then you have a problem. Others enter through cracks, gaps, or areas with moisture. If you have foundation issues or plumbing problems, those openings and damp areas can give cockroaches a way inside. Certain species will also eat our food. They’ll get into open foods in our pantries and feed on unwashed dishes in the middle of the night.
That’s why sanitation is such a big deal. You want to keep your house clean, especially when it comes to food. If you have a teenager who likes to put dirty dishes underneath the bed or leave them on the nightstand, that can cause a problem. If you don’t wash your dishes before going to bed, that’s another food source cockroaches can exploit. Leaving food out after meals or failing to wipe down countertops gives them access to crumbs and other food particles. Those small food sources can help cockroaches thrive. The last thing we want is more insects in your home.
Once cockroaches become established, their numbers can continue to grow. They use harborage points inside walls and other gaps to survive and spend much of the day hidden. When people aren’t around, often at night, they’ll come out looking for food. Smaller, younger cockroaches may stay closer to those hiding places and feed on adult droppings and other food particles found nearby.
Cockroaches also molt as they grow. During a molt, they shed their old exoskeleton so a new, larger one can develop. Shed skins, droppings, and body fragments can break down into particles that become part of household dust. These particles contain allergens that may trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive people. Researchers have found a connection between cockroach allergen exposure and asthma problems, especially among children who are allergic to cockroaches. That’s another reason to address an infestation promptly.
If you’re having a problem with pests, including cockroaches, a good Tulsa exterminator can help deal with them. TermMax Pest Control can handle cockroach problems quickly and efficiently, and we’re affordable too. Call us today if you think you’re having an issue.
