Is it not so hard to live a life knowing that cockroaches are just around the corner? That you know they are waiting to strike when the lights are off and you are going to retire to bed for the night?
If so, you are not alone. Millions of households are infested by cockroaches. This should not come as a surprise; there are probably a billion cockroaches in America as you read this. Cockroaches are pests that we can all certainly live without. They are dirty, useless, and are disease carriers.
This is why we all could not wait for roaches to die, don’t we? Unfortunately, new research has shown that cockroaches are becoming more resistant to conventional, store-bought pesticides that we are so used to getting hold of each time a roach attack.
On the other hand, pest exterminators in the Charlotte, NC area, led by Go-Forth Home Services, are here to help residents and businesses to get rid of cockroaches. These pest exterminators specialize in bed bug extermination and general pest control.
The question now is, how long would it take for cockroaches to die after their visit? After all, is it not the reason why we paid them? In this article, we will try to explain that and much more about cockroaches. Read on.
What are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are insects that many consider as pests. However, not all cockroaches are pests; there are 4,600 species of roaches but only 30 of them are associated with humans. They are nocturnal insects, meaning they forage for food at night.
Cockroaches are notorious for being the filthiest creatures on earth, nothing comes close. They would eat anything, from rotten food, excrement, trash, and even their own. They thrive in sewers and garbage bins. Just imagine that crawling on your skin!
Here are some more facts about cockroaches. I leave it up to you if you consider them interesting, or just plain gross:
- Cockroaches are very hardy insects. It can survive without food for a month and without water for a week. It can live with its head cut off for a month. Without its head, it can breathe through the tiny holes found in all their body segments. It would die after a week only because it could not drink water. They can also stay underwater for 30 minutes. It can hold its breath for 45 minutes.
- Roaches have been around since the dinosaur era, and are said to be the only creatures who would survive in an event of a nuclear explosion.
- Roaches can run up to three miles an hour. Baby cockroaches can also run as fast as their parents.
- American cockroaches are attracted to alcoholic beverages.
- Newborn German cockroaches will only take 36 days to become adults.
- The largest species of cockroaches in the world is 6 inches long with a 1-foot wingspan.
Do Roaches Spread Diseases?
Yes, they do. Roaches spread diseases in many ways: through their droppings, urine, and vomit, and transferred through their feet and other body parts.
Cockroaches have filthy habits. When they eat something unsanitary, like feces or rotten meat, pathogenic organisms will enter their bodies and may stay inside their digestive system. When the cockroach defecates, their droppings can contaminate food or surfaces that are in contact with food.
Urine, vomit, and saliva work similarly. Food can get contaminated when it gets in contact with the pathogens from these.
Another way of contamination is through the cockroaches’ legs. They easily pick up bacteria and viruses since they crawl on sewers, cesspits, and garbage. That is why anything that the cockroaches crawl on becomes contaminated.
Humans usually get diseases by eating and drinking food and drinks that are contaminated by cockroaches. Another way is by eating and drinking food using kitchen utensils that are contaminated by cockroaches.
What are the Diseases that Roaches can Spread?
Due to their filthy habits, they are capable of transmitting a handful of nasty diseases. Here are some of them.
Salmonella
Salmonellosis is one of the most common gastrointestinal infections in the United States. Salmonella causes salmonellosis. This is a dangerous bacteria because it causes food poisoning. When cockroaches crawl on dirty places, they accumulate bacteria which include Salmonella. This would remain in their digestive system and become dormant for about a month. This would then be expelled through their droppings and vomit. Young children are more likely to get this illness than adults. It is estimated that Salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses, and of this number, there are 450 deaths annually in the United States.
People who are infected with Salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. This develops after 12 to 72 hours after infection. Elder patients, infants, and those with compromised immune systems may develop complications and might need further health care. Some people may have the infection spread beyond the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. This is when Salmonella becomes fatal if not given the proper treatment.
Cholera
Cholera is infectious; it causes severe, watery diarrhea that results in dehydration and even death. Humans get infected with it by ingesting food and water that are contaminated with Vibrio cholerae, a kind of deadly bacteria. This is common in places where sanitation is not at its best. It also occurs during wars and famine. Places that are overcrowded also endanger people. In the U.S., it was prevalent during the 1800s, but these days there are only 10 cases of cholera each year. Symptoms may appear after a few hours up until 5 days of infection. Signs include rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, thirst, loss of skin elasticity, muscle cramps, and dry mucous membranes.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an illness caused by Salmonella paratyphi. People get infected with typhoid fever by ingesting food and water that is contaminated with cockroach urine or droppings. Consequently, people who have this illness can contaminate water supply through their stool, which has a high concentration of bacteria. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water.
As you can see, roaches are deadly creatures because of the diseases they can transmit. It is not easy to live with cockroaches and there is no reason why we should. It is therefore advisable to hire a professional to do the dirty work for you.
If this will be your first time to hire a pest control company, you most probably do not know what to expect. Here is what you should know.
What To Expect After A Visit From An Exterminator
Do not be alarmed if you still see roaches after extermination. Not all of them are killed in an instant, so do not worry about getting conned at this point. You can expect to see roaches after a few weeks and at all times of the day. The reason for this sudden change in behavior is that the chemicals confuse the cockroaches. Their normal habits are disrupted. They may be seen crawling slowly as they are dying. Eventually, you will see more dead roaches.
When you see roaches after a treatment, do not attempt to spray pesticides on them. This will interfere with your exterminator's treatment; the roaches might get scared and scatter to other areas of your house, thus worsening the situation.
Clear up all dead roaches you see and dispose of it properly. Dead roaches may attract other pests, which will create a new problem for you.
Exterminators will tell you if a second treatment is needed.
Will Roaches Come Back After Extermination?
Unless you practice good housekeeping, it would be possible to have them back. It will be up to you to make sure they do not make a return engagement after. Here are some tips to follow.
- Put a lid on your trash and dispose of your garbage properly.
- Seal cracks, crevices, and holes in by caulking. Roaches use these as entry points to your house, squeezing through cracks that are as narrow as a credit card.
- Place your food inside sealed containers.
- Regularly sweep and mop your floor, and vacuum carpets, furniture, and cracks and crevices.
- Do not leave unwashed dishes and utensils overnight on the kitchen sink.
For your pest control needs, we recommend the best pest control company in the Triangle area, Go-Forth Home Services.
Why Go-Forth Home Services?
Go-Forth Home Services provides you a complete solution to your pest problems. Whatever pest you have, be it cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, rats, mice bed bugs, poisonous spiders, or moths, expect Go-Forth Home Services to take care of them.
Go-Forth Home Services is a family-owned commercial service solutions provider of modern pest control services and techniques, using the latest and most advanced technology in the business, making our service to you more efficient, safer, and more convenient. We have a team of expert professionals who can provide the best pest control services to residents and business establishments all throughout North and South Carolina.
Call us now for more information!