Most of us have encountered roaches almost daily in our lives. As they crawl behind the kitchen sinks of our homes, we are flushed with a feeling of disgust and fear. They are one of the bugs no one wants to encounter, yet cockroaches are the only insects we see on a regular basis.
One may wonder, are we programmed to fear cockroaches or do they pose any real danger? Sadly, the latter part is right. Not only are cockroaches repulsive, but they are also the worst inhabitants of our homes.
Where Do Cockroaches Come From?
If you trace back the existence of cockroaches, you will learn that they have dwelt on this earth for 350 million years. That means they had called this planet home long before we came into the picture.
While it’s hard to study where they originated from, we are more concerned with where and how they come into our lives and our homes.
Cockroaches enter your households in a variety of ways. They can attach themselves to grocery bags or travel in cardboard. If you are moving from a house already infested with roaches, the mere transportation of your belongings and furniture is enough of a vessel for the carriage of the roaches you wanted to leave behind.
Moreover, they can also come from a neighboring house or the gutter. While you can’t control if it comes via someone else’s house or the sewage system, you can ensure that you do not carry one into your sanctuary.
Whenever you are carrying anything inside, be sure to check it thoroughly for such intruders.
Where Do Cockroaches Hide?
Cockroaches are excellent hiders. One minute you see them crawling up the door and the next moment, they have escaped by flattening their bodies and going through crevices.
Roaches tend to hide on the ceilings of dark rooms. It is not a rare sight to see these insects trying to scurry off of the ceilings when you turn on the lights.
Moreover, roaches prefer to be in a wet environment. Therefore, they are likely to hide in protruding pipes or any areas which are in proximity to pipes. This fact narrows down their hiding places to walls, floors, and the backside of cabinets. Sadly, these components make almost the entire house. Keeping these parts dry at all times decreases a chance of roach infestation.
Bathrooms and kitchens serve to be the best hiding locations for a roach. It is because such places provide them with a constant supply of food and water. If you have a library or tend to keep a lot of books, the chances are that cockroaches camp in these areas too. It is because these bugs are known to feast on paper.
All in all, keep a check on your cabinets, ceilings, damp areas, bathroom and kitchens for a possible infestation.
What Diseases are Caused by Cockroaches?
We previously termed cockroaches to be dangerous. It is because they are known to carry diseases. They are carriers for various infections include typhoid, cholera, plague, giardia, and leprosy.
Moreover, cockroaches are responsible for contaminating your home by leaving their feces all over the house. Such droppings include bacteria which can cause food poisoning.
Their body parts are also left behind and settle onto dust particles which, in turn, can cause allergies and asthma. If you are suffering from symptoms including skin rash, coughing, and tightness in chest, the infestation of roaches may be the culprit.
What Happens if a Cockroach Bites You?
While the popular notion is that cockroaches are notorious insects known to spread diseases, they are not dangerous just in this aspect. If you live in an area which is marked by a severe insect infestation, cockroaches can also bite you.
While they feed off of plants and contents of a garbage can, a lack of food source may lead to roaches feasting off of you. They are known to bite feet, hands, fingernails and eyelashes. When a cockroach bites you, you may experience irritation and swelling. In extreme cases, bites may also form wounds.
What to Do if a Cockroach bites you?
If a cockroach bites you, you should clean the wound with the help of alcohol. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol, and rub it on your wound. Such an act ensures that the wound does not get infected.
If the bite does not seem as dangerous, you can treat the bite by washing the affected area with soap and water. After washing it, place an ice pack onto the bitten area for ten minutes. This act helps reduce swelling. You can then apply calamine lotion or cream to get rid of the itch and pain you may feel.
Conclusion
All in all, roaches are dangerous for you and your home. Not only are they a painful sight to see, but they are also a source of various diseases.
If you find roaches in your house, take appropriate action to get rid of them.