If you thought cockroaches were disgusting, you are right. They thrive in the gnarliest of situations and carry diseases that can cause some serious issues to humans. Learn just how disgusting this critter is with this 101 guide to cockroaches.
There are literally thousands of roaches that exist in the world but the most common are the Periplaneta americana, Blattella germanica and Blattella orientalis. As you probably already know, this insect will eat just about anything. Feces, toe nails, food crumbs and even fellow roaches all make the menu. They prefer to eat things that are made with sugar and starch. That is usually why you can find cockroaches in kitchens.
Because of everything they eat, these insects tend to contaminate any surface they crawl over. If you are dealing with an infestation, you want to be extra careful to wash utensils and dishes before you use them. If you don’t, you could end up getting ill from a bacterial, viral or fungal infection from the germs that hitch a ride on these guys’ backs. This process of indirectly transmitting diseases to humans is called mechanical transmission.
In fact, more than 30 types of bacteria have been found inside and outside of a cockroach. Some of those dangerous germs include E. coli, salmonella and staphylococcus. These are the germs that cause urinary tract infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, cholera, dysentery and general infections.
As if that isn’t enough, it is believed that cockroaches caused a massive outbreak of hepatitis A in a L.A. housing project in the late 50’s. The number of cases reported continued to climb until the infestation of cockroaches was finally managed with the help of a new insecticide. After that, authorities determined that it was because the roaches that traveled between homes, sewer and back again that so many people were coming down with the disease.
This may be because cockroaches carry bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Ethiopa conducted a study in 2012 to test this theory and found it to be true. Many of the bacteria found living on and in cockroaches were found to be resistant to as many as twelve common antibiotics. That means that these bugs are carrying bacteria into our homes that are more resistant to treatment than we may be used to. You can see how this trend can cause problems if it continues.
Make sure your home and your family are protected from the dangers of cockroach infestations. As soon as you see one, contact the best exterminator Las Vegas offers. R & C Pest Control offers the best pest control Las Vegas trusts at prices you can afford. Contact 702.257.2847 for more information or to get a quote.