How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Greenville, SC

Roaches are one of the most common household pests in the world. They have earned the most ire from and have elicited the most screams from humans. Just seeing one of this multi-legged creepy crawlies is enough for one’s toes, and stomach, to curl.

When it comes to cockroaches, do you really know what you are dealing with? There are at least 4,000 species of identified roaches in the world though we are fortunate enough not to have all of them. Most are living in the forest, where they are beneficial to the ecosystem. Each species has different sizes, some are big and some are small.

These filthy pests have thorny six legs and 18 knee joints. Those species that are pests thrive on filth. They reach areas near human dwellings and take advantage of what humans have to offer them. This article will focus on cockroaches and their health effects on humans. We will also tackle how to get rid of them.

Let us jump right in.

Are They Just Gross? Or Are They Dangerous?

Cockroaches are gross insects with flat bodies, long antennae, and a tough external exoskeleton. They have wings but are not capable of taking advantage of them because they are not good fliers. They have three pairs of spiky legs that are attached to their three thoracic segments. Roaches are nocturnal, so we do not see much of them during the day. If you do see them during day time, you probably have a much bigger roach infestation problem.

As we said, there are around 5,000 species of cockroaches, but only a few are household pests. In the United States, there are four common cockroaches that are household pests: the American cockroach, German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach.

Cockroaches eat just about anything; they eat fresh food when they can find it, rotten food, your trash, fruits and vegetables, feces, the glue used on books, hair, and even their dead relatives. They thrive in filth and can be presently living in sewers, garbage, and cesspools. Among the most common dangers of having roaches around is the possibility of getting allergic asthma. Kids and seniors are especially vulnerable to this.

Identifying Allergic Asthma

Roaches release allergens in the air which can make people with asthma feel much worse. So, what are the common symptoms of asthma?

There are two types of asthma: allergic and non-allergic. The symptoms though are the same. These symptoms include chest tightness, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.

The most common of the two is allergic asthma, with 10 million Americans suffering from it out of the 17 million, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Out of this number, 7 million are adults and 3 million are children.

Cockroach droppings are among the most common allergens. It is therefore important to keep roaches out of our homes. Other allergens include weed pollen, trees, grass, molds, dust mites, and animal dander. Triggers of asthma attacks are cold air, infections, and even exercise.

Another health effect of roaches is cholera. This disease affects the intestines, in particular, the small intestines. The bacteria vibrio cholera is the cause. Cholera is an acute diarrhea sickness. The transmission is made when a person ingests water that is contaminated by cockroach droppings. Other modes of transmission are drinking water from unclean sources or eating half-cooked food.

Symptoms are sometimes mild. Detection does not happen quickly until the condition of the patient becomes worse. These symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and dehydration.

Cholera is a potentially fatal disease if the patient loses too much fluid in the body. Also, it can be dangerous when the patient experiences dehydration and does not get treatments.

These days, cholera can be easily treated without hassle. Loss of fluids and salts can be immediately replaced through oral rehydration solution.

Great Survivors

Cockroaches are witnesses to the dinosaur era. No natural or man-made calamities can beat them. For one, cockroaches have a very tough exterior; they cannot easily be squished.

Cockroaches can survive for 1 month without food and 1 week without water. Also, they can survive even with their head cut off for one week! They breathe through tiny holes found throughout their segmented bodies. They die after a week because they cannot drink water without their heads.

Cockroaches can remain underwater for 30 minutes. They can run fast when they detect danger and can squeeze through cracks the size of a credit card.

Aside from that, adult female cockroaches lay hundreds of eggs every year, and this ensures the survival of their species. 

Type Of Cockroaches That Are Common In The United States

Not all of the 5,000 species of cockroaches are in the United States. Of this number, there are four common ones:

American cockroach - American cockroaches came from the Middle East and Africa and is said to have traveled all the way to America through ships. This is the largest species of common cockroach. It can grow to about 4 cm in length and 7 mm tall. They are oval in shape and have well-developed wings although they are clumsy fliers. American cockroaches love wet and dark places like sewers and pipes in homes and commercial buildings. The American cockroach is one of the filthiest and can transmit diseases like typhoid, amoebiasis, and cholera.

An adult female cockroach can lay as many as 150 eggs per year. The eggs will go through three developmental stages: the egg, nymph, and the adult.

German cockroach - This is a small type of cockroach, about 1.1 to 1.5 inches long. Its color can be tan or black. The German cockroach is the most troublesome of these four species. Because of this, you will need to act once you spot one of these in your home. Their diet consists of meat, sugars, starch, fatty foods, glue, and even their kind.

Oriental cockroach - This is a large species of cockroach. An adult male Oriental cockroach is 18 to 29 mm, and the female is about 20 to 27 mm. They are among the dirtiest of all the cockroaches. Oriental cockroaches are darker in color compared to other cockroach species. They can be black or dark brown, with a glossy body. They live in dirty, cooler places and create a strong smell. Oriental cockroaches eat garbage and organic material.

Brown-banded cockroach - Brown-banded cockroaches measure about 10 to 14 mm long. They come in tan to light brown with two light-colored bands across their wings and abdomen. They are almost similar to the German cockroach but are a bit smaller. The male has wings that cover their abdomen, while the females while having wings that do not cover their abdomens entirely. They usually thrive in warm, dry places, and they hide their eggs under furniture, clothes, cracks on the floor, or wood. The adult life span is about 200 days.

Getting Rid Of Roaches

Cockroaches manage to invade our homes by finding cracks and openings under doors, on walls, and other ways to enter the house. Seal these cracks and openings by caulking.

Food, water, and warmth are the first and foremost that attract them. If you have spoiled food or standing water, they will come for it. Cover your trash can with a lid to keep it away from their reach. Put your fresh food inside sealed containers.

Fixe leaky pipes and faucets. Do not leave dirty dishes in the kitchen sink overnight. Pick up food debris and wipe off drink spills.

If you have pets, clean up after them. Remove pet poop. Clean your pet’s food bowl regularly.

Throw away your trash properly and on time.

Some people resort to spraying chemical pesticides. Be careful, pesticides are toxic to humans and pets. Treatment with chemicals should never be carried out without proper protection. Be sure to read the label.

A safer way to treat roaches is to call the professionals, especially if you are overwhelmed by the problem. And if you want the best pest control company in Greenville, then call Go-Forth Pest Control. 

Go-Forth Is The Best

Go-Forth Pest Control gives you worry-free roach treatment services that are proven safe and effective. They use safe methods, so you are assured of family-friendly and pet-friendly extermination procedures. They have well-trained and highly-skilled licensed technicians so you know you are in the right hands.

Go-Forth Pest Control is the best-reviewed pest control company on this side of the world. Check Facebook or Google them to find out what their satisfied customers have to say about them.

Go-Forth Pest Control has earned the trust of residents and businesses in South Carolina for more than 50 years. For more information, or to set an appointment, just dial 336-841-6111. Our friendly operators are standing by.