An infestation of cockroaches CAN be damaging to your health
Aside from the ick factor of cockroaches, having an infestation of cockroaches can damage your health. Cockroaches get into everything and spread bacteria that can cause illness and food poisoning. Not to mention they leave an absolute mess, spreading droppings, empty egg cases, dead carcasses, vomit marks, and discarded skin everywhere!
Should I be worried about a cockroach infestation in my home?
Yes, most people are rightfully worried when they spot a cockroach in their home. Not only are people unsettled by the presence of cockroaches, they feel like their home is unclean or unsafe. Especially if you are a landlord, you need townhouse or apartment pest control before you take in any tenants. Cockroaches can cause the following issues:
- Contamination of food and cooking utensils
- Mess on surfaces and belongings
- Noticeable odours in properties with serious infestations
- Damage to electrical appliances
- Allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or rashes
- Illness from eating foods contaminated by cockroaches
- Cockroach bites in highly infested properties.
Cockroach infestations can multiply very quickly. It takes only 50 days for a cockroach egg to become an adult cockroach capable of laying its own eggs. So it does not take long for a cockroach infestation to take hold in your home. Here’s a slightly disturbing fact: two adult cockroaches can produce up to 400,000 offspring within one year.
So, rather than wasting money on DIY cockroach treatments, get a pest control technician in to inspect as soon as you notice a cockroach. They can treat your home to ensure all eggs are killed so that you don’t find more cockroaches next month.
Cockroach treatments – DIY v the professionals
DIY cockroach treatments may cause a dent in the infestation but are not effective at ridding your home once and for all. You need to target your entire property inside and out in one fell swoop to completely disinfest your home. All the cracks and crevices of your home must be covered with pest control products designed to kill eggs, larvae, and adult cockroaches.
Brisbane City Pest Control’s experienced technicians will cover all possible entry points into your home, including weep points, roof voids, doors, window frames, and the subfloor. We also get into every nook and cranny of your home, including under electrical appliances, internal floor corners, and cracks in floorboards to ensure there is nowhere for cockroaches to hide.
Though our treatments are thorough, we have developed our techniques to reduce the impact on your daily life. We will apply baiting gel in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry cupboards so that you do not have to remove anything while your home is being treated. Cockroach pest treatments last 12 months. We are so confident in that fact that we offer a warranty for all types of cockroaches, excluding German Cockroaches. We also provide child and pet-safe treatments.
How can I prevent cockroaches in my home?
Cockroaches are sneaky little hitchhikers and can enter your home through shopping bags, clothing, or even visit from your next-door neighbour’s garden. Even walking through cockroach eggs can introduce cockroaches into your home.
The best way to prevent cockroach infestations is to make your home less attractive to these pests. Cockroaches love moist environments with plenty of food and hiding places. Here are some of our top tips to prevent a cockroach infestation:
- Maintain a clean kitchen – free of crumbs, spills and other food sources.
- Wash dishes and utensils at the end of every night and wipe down benchtops to remove any bits of food
- Do not store food at floor level. Store food in the fridge, in cupboards and in airtight containers.
- Regularly clean the tops of cupboards, shelves, and other hard to reach places.
- Dispose of rubbish, clean and vacuum your home to remove incidental crumbs and other sources of food.
- Reduce access to water, including through spills and water leaks.
- Wash and put away pets food bowls after they have finished eating.
- Don’t store unused cardboard boxes and old newspapers – they are a favourite cockroach breeding ground.
Moisture also attracts silverfish infestations, so kills two birds (or bugs) with one stone with these prevention methods.
Of course, regular cockroach pest control treatments or general pest control treatments can also ensure your home is inhospitable to any cockroaches and similar pests.
Have you got a cockroach infestation in your home? Or do you just want an inspection and preventative treatment to keep your home pest-free? Contact Brisbane City Pest Control today to speak to us about treatment options.