As February winds down, it’s time to start thinking about spring. With all the cleaning and warm weather activities it can be easy to forget about the pests that are coming. Not many pests are as creepily elusive as the cockroach. Aside from being an evasive nuisance, cockroaches can have measurable effects on your health. Not only do cockroaches leave scent trails that bother your breathing, they also use the trails to communicate to their friends. Have no fear, Franklin Pest Solutions has the tips you need to stop an infestation in its tracks.
Facts: Cockroaches Make You Sick
“Often times when people are experiencing allergy and asthma symptoms, they automatically chalk it up to the time of year without considering that their stuff nose and itchy eyes could actually be triggered by the presence of cockroaches in their home,” said Curtis Rand, V.P. of Franklin Pest Solutions. “In addition to exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms, cockroaches are also capable of spreading 33 kinds of bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli. This makes it all the more important to take the necessary steps to eliminate food, water, and harborage sits for cockroaches within the home.”
Get Rid of Cockroaches
Cockroaches can be found in any home, and the first step to cockroach prevention is maintaining cleanliness. Franklin Pest Solutions has teamed up with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to create the following preventive list to help keep your home cockroach free.
- Kitchen: Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors meticulously clean every day. Clean dishes crumbs and spills right away, store food in airtight containers and always avoid leaving food out-including pet food. Vacuum any crumbs stuck in corners and around cabinets, and regularly clean cabinets out with soap and water. Check under sinks and clean under appliances for moisture issues and quickly address any found.
- Bathroom: Cockroaches are attracted to moisture and can only survive for a week without water, so always wipe up standing water around sinks, tubs and toilets. Fix leaky faucets and ensure sinks are clear of water before bedtime-cockroaches are nocturnal and will typically emerge to search for water and food at night when the house is dark and quiet.
- Basement: Eliminate clutter where possible to reduce hiding spaces for cockroaches. Basement windows and areas where weather-stripping has become worn are frequent points of access for cockroaches, so homeowners should be sure to seal any cracks or crevices using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
Remember, cockroaches are nocturnal and reproduce quickly, so seeing one is warning enough that a possible infestation may be lurking within your walls. Do not risk your health and home! Let Franklin Pest Solutions rid your house of roaches all year long.
