Health Risks of Cockroaches (And What You Can Do to Protect Your Family)

Apart from being unsightly and creepy, cockroaches carry a considerable amount of health risks. What are the health risks of cockroaches inside your home?

Cockroaches adversely affect the health of the members of the household because of the allergens they carry in their body parts, saliva and feces. These allergens cause allergies and asthma, especially in children, who are most vulnerable.

When these insects crawl on the skin of some people, they may instantly develop rashes. In fact, according to allergy skin tests developed in the fifties, some people have allergies from cockroaches.

Cockroaches Could Be Making You Sick

In a report published by the National Cooperative Inner-City Asthma Study or NCICAs, it was divulged that children who tested to cockroach allergens in skin prick tests are more likely to develop wheezing, develop sleeping problems, become more susceptible to asthma, and miss school days. The presence of these insects in urban areas is attributed as one of the leading causes of asthma. But apart from children, the elderly are also considered at high risk for asthma due to the allergens that roaches carry.

Apart from allergens, cockroaches are also known to carry a wide variety of microbes which can pose harm to humans. These microbes include Salmonella, E. coli, parasitic worms and other known human pathogens.

Salmonella and E. coli have long been associated with stomach problems. When these bacteria enter the blood stream, fatalities may come as a result.

What You Can Do To Prevent Cockroaches

Because of these health risks, you simply cannot afford to gamble with the health and well-being of your family members. Your best defense against these insects and the diseases they carry is to prevent their entry into your home. If you notice cracks in your walls and areas near electric sockets and drain traps, make sure that you seal these off.

If you live in an apartment or condominium unit, you should seal the gaps in and around plumbing, switch plates and wall outlets.

Next, eliminate the potential food sources of these insects. Make sure that food is sealed in airtight containers and do not leave excess food, including pet food, outside. After grocery shopping, double check the items you purchased for cockroaches. Ditto with your kids’ bags and items.

If you have guest rooms with bathrooms that are rarely used, run the water in these rooms periodically.

If these cockroaches remain persistent despite your interventions, call in the professionals to help you deal with the problem.

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