This is fair warning: Today’s article will be pretty gross. It’s true, because cockroaches are gross. And we are going to explore the terrible nightmarish world of cockroaches. These insects have been with us for centuries, and they will probably be with us for centuries after we are gone. Will a cockroach bite you? It’s unlikely, but it can happen. And their bites are quite painful.
Cockroaches are omnivores. This means that they are not picky eaters. They will consume plant or animal matter as food. These insects function as the clean up crew in forest in order to break down dead plants and animals. If you have a rather large infestation in your home, it is possible that they may be near you when you sleep. If you don’t move very often, they may think that you are fair game and take a bite. Cockroach’s bite is about 50 times stronger than their body weight, so it will hurt. You will have a red bump, probably larger than most other bug bites, that will hurt for a good long time.
ROACHES IN BODY CAVITIES
Yes, you read that right. A woman in India started to complain that she had headaches and couldn’t breath well. Her initial doctor’s consultation showed nothing to be wrong. The doctor recommended that she take some aspirin and wait until the headache subsided. After it didn’t, doctors delved deeper into the problem and found it. A cockroach had gone up her nose and was stuck in her sinuses. You can even watch a video of the procedure below. But be forewarned, it is graphic.
The scariest part of this is that it is somewhat common in that part of the world. Cockroaches, like many other insects, find comfort in situations where they feel pressure squeezed between two surfaces. It helps them to stay safely hidden in cracks and crevices. But when that crack is in someones body, it becomes a grave issue. There are also many instances of roaches and other insects finding their way into ear canals. Yuck!
OTHER HEALTH RISKS
These maybe not as drastic, but cockroach issues can pose other health risks as well. Asthma is one of the leading disease caused by cockroaches. These insects create a large amount of dust and particles. This dust is caused by the molting process that they undergo as they develop. Their exoskeletons are limited in how much they can expand, so when their body has outgrown their exoskeleton, they will shed it for a new one. This process produces large amounts of decaying exoskeletons, especially when the infestation is a large one. You can eliminate even large infestations and bring your family back to a safe environment by contacting your Tulsa pest control company.
Cockroach infestations tend to thrive where sanitation is the least. With a lot of clutter also comes a lot of hiding places. This gives cockroaches a place to reproduce and increase their numbers. Dirty dishes and food based refuse can provide a food source that can support large populations. Damaged or broken plumbing and drainage can supply the water needed for these insects to survive. Correcting any or all of these problems will greatly help in the fight against them.
DISEASES SPREAD BY COCKROACHES
Asthma is not the only disease that is carried by cockroaches. Being in our food supply, they can contaminate pantries and kitchens with their feeding and droppings. They also are found in sewers and feed on feces, so these can contaminate foods that they have fed upon. Salmonella can be spread by cockroaches through this kind of contamination. Cockroaches also had a hand in the spread of SARS in east Asia. They have also been found to transmit entamoeba histolytica, and the poliomyelitis virus.
Keeping cockroaches out of your home and especially your pantry and kitchen is very important. These health concerns should be at the top of every homes list. Even though these insects are not aggressive, they can cause harm. And worst of all, their infestations are very preventable. Contact your Broken Arrow pest control company for a free estimate.
HOME REMEDIES
But there are things that you can do as a home owner to protect yourself. As stated above, keep your home as sanitary is possible. Clean dishes daily and don’t leave food stuff out to be found by cockroaches or other pests. Eliminate trash and don’t leave food out for something other than a family member to find. Eliminate clutter, so that these insects can’t find a good place to stay. And of course, contact a Tulsa exterminator for help.
But unfortunately there are home remedies that don’t work. Essential oils are oils that are pulled from plants. These oils will not deter cockroaches. They may or may not invite these insects either, but don’t try to use them as deterrents. Ultra sonic noise makes and other gimmick devises are also ill advised. Loud, sudden sounds can startle them and get them to run for cover, but they will get used to these sounds quickly. After they do, these noise makers will just be a waste of money.
HOW TO GET RID OF COCKROACHES
Many people want to get over the counter sprays and pesticides. This can be a very bad idea. These pesticides are all repellant type sprays. The insects do not like the scent of them, and then they run. What ends up happening is that the insects find a place that you can’t get to, such as in a wall or behind an appliance. Here they will multiply and wait until the spray pesticide wears out. Once this happens, they will be back, but in much larger numbers.
The best course is to contact the best Broken Arrow exterminator. They can get you a free estimate to get your home back to normal. Here at TermMax Pest Control, we excel at these kinds of pest issues. In most cases, they can be solved between one and three months, depending upon the infestation. Call us today for a free in home estimate. We service the greater Tulsa are including Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Sapulpa, Pratville, Sand Springs Turley, Owasso, Collinsville, Claremore, Catoosa, Coweta and so much more. We’re here to help!
