Cockroaches may be tiny or huge and can range in color from light tan to shiny black. Although there are several types of cockroaches that each have distinct characteristics, they are all hazardous to your health and your peace of mind. A cockroach infestation is a serious issue whether you own a home or a business.

Dangers Of Cockroaches

The main danger associated with cockroaches is the spread of bacteria. Cockroaches will feed on anything from bathtub residue and sewage to food and trash. They can crawl through sewer systems and enter your home or business. What makes cockroaches especially unsanitary is how they regurgitate and defecate in food supplies. They can get into boxed foods, cereal or any stored food that is not tightly sealed in a tough container. Also, they leave their bacteria-infested droppings all over your home or business and even behind the walls.

If you are a homeowner, cockroaches pose a health risk to your family members. Seeing them can also scare you or your family members. If you own a business, cockroaches can be bad for your reputation. This is especially true if you serve or sell food. Customers know that cockroaches are unsanitary and unsightly, and even a few bad reviews can be enough to cut your customer base drastically. Also, violations of health codes can cost you money.

Signs Of A Cockroach Infestation

Seeing a cockroach during the day is usually a sure sign that more are nearby. Roaches are nocturnal, and they will usually only venture out when there is daylight if they are hungry. These are the other top three signs of a cockroach infestation:

  • Visible excrement
  • Egg casings
  • Several dead roaches

The excrement bits usually look like black pepper or coffee grounds depending on the size of the cockroach. Egg casings are transparent and hollow. People often find these in kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Also, dead roach bodies under or around cabinets, toilets, sinks and bathtubs are usually signs that more roaches are nearby.

How To Eliminate Cockroaches

Sprays and sticky traps will only kill visible roaches. They are masters of hiding. DIY chemical products may pose more of a threat to you and your pets than the roaches. At My Pest Pros, we use a bait that is toxic to roaches but not to your family. Since cockroaches are cannibalistic pests that feed on the carcasses of their own deceased colony members, this is the quickest and most effective way to wipe out the entire colony. To learn more or for a free quote, call My Pest Pros today.