Cockroaches are synonymous with filth and poor hygiene. Their feeding and nesting habits mean they can easily pick up a range of disease-causing microorganisms on their bodies and ingest them from the rotting and foul materials they crawl and feed on. The German cockroach, in particular, is a common indoor pest where food is handled, in homes, restaurants, commercial kitchens, and hospitals.
For businesses handling food, cockroaches are a sign of poor food hygiene practices and could result in a breach of food safety regulations and standards. They feed on anything suitable for human consumption and other natural products such as cardboard, leather, feces and even fingernails and toenails of sleeping people.
If you have found cockroaches around your home, even just a few, you may have a full infestation. Contact our local Pest Control office to discuss how to get rid of cockroaches around your property and prevent them from returning.
Diseases from cockroaches
Cockroaches do not transmit diseases directly to humans through bites like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, but indirectly, from humans consuming contaminated food or touching contaminated surfaces.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “Cockroaches are one of the most significant pests found in apartments, homes, food-handling establishments, hospitals, and healthcare facilities worldwide.”
There are over 60 pathogenic bacteria, fungi, molds, parasitic worms, and viruses found in cockroaches, including:
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
- Listeria
- E. col
- Straphylococcus aureus
- Straphylococcus faecalis
- Giardia
- Shigella dysenteriae
Many of the Salmonella samples collected in one study reported by WHO were resistant to antibacterial drugs, which would make infection control more difficult.
Due to their feeding and nesting habits, cockroaches can aid in the spread of numerous diseases as well as trigger asthma and other allergies If you have cockroaches around your property contact Pest Control for help
