South Carolina is one of those places that just doesn’t get enough credit. When you don’t live here, you don’t understand. It’s not a huge state, but it has everything to offer. South Carolina residents really can have the best of both worlds with the mountains and the beach just a few hours away. Our warm climate, however, does come with its fair share of pests. It turns out, roaches like having the best of both worlds also. And as small as German cockroaches are, they’re one of the most dangerous home invaders in our state.
Small Pests, Big Health Risks
German cockroaches may be the smallest of common roach species, but this makes them incredibly problematic. They usually only measure anywhere from four to seven centimeters long, allowing them to squeeze their tan bodies into small cracks and crevices. This gives them the ability to get into places that most roaches can’t access, like pantries and stored food supplies. Plus, they travel in large packs, so an infestation can overrun your kitchen very quickly.
While they may be a danger to your stored food, they’re a lot more hazardous than that. Since German cockroaches spend most of their time in sewers, dumpsters, and landfills searching for food, they’re known to carry all sorts of bacteria. This bacteria, when spread to your food preparation surfaces, can cause a variety of diseases in humans, from salmonella to E. coli and more.
They’ll also secrete pathogens as they move around, creating a musty odor in large groups and even causing allergic reactions in many people. That’s why a German cockroach infestation needs to be eradicated as quickly as possible. Call the experts at The Original Bugman Pest Elimination Inc. for help!
Signs And Preventative Measures
If you notice an infestation early enough, you can limit your risk of incurring disease. Since German cockroaches are largely nocturnal, seeing one during the day is a good indication that there are plenty more. They’ll also leave their droppings (which look like pieces of black pepper) in the corners of the rooms. Once you do notice an infestation, there isn’t a lot you can do to get them out. However, by focusing on the following preventative measures, you’ll have a chance to avoid an infestation in the first place.
- Keep It Clean: By regularly cleaning, vacuuming, and doing the dishes, you’ll be able to limit your food sources. Leaving dishes in the sink overnight is a great way to incur an infestation quickly.
- Store Food And Trash Properly: Any leftovers need to be stored in tightly sealed plastic containers. Trash should also be in a sealed container that limits easy access. Remember, German cockroaches can squeeze into tight spaces, so trash can lids need to close tightly.
- Control Moisture: Roaches prefer damp, dark places like basements and behind kitchen appliances. Using a dehumidifier in your basement and crawl spaces can help limit moisture, along with regularly monitoring the pipes for leaks.
- Sealing Entry Points: If you add proper weather-stripping to all exterior doors, along with sealing up the caulking around window sills, you can limit most of their potential entry points.
You’ll also want to seal up any cracks in the foundation visible from the inside or outside.
As you can see, pest-proofing your house is tedious and time-consuming. Plus, it doesn’t always work to perfection when you do it yourself. The only guaranteed protection you can have against disease-carrying German cockroaches is a professional pest control service. Contact The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. for all of your pest control needs today.
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