Because of their tenacity, cockroaches can live through nearly anything, making them one pest that you do not want to have in your home or business. Did you know that cockroaches can survive for up to one week without their head? They can also live without water for a week and without food for a month, and they can withstand frigid temperatures any time of the year.
Once you have a cockroach infestation in your home, it can be challenging to get rid of. Some forms of roaches can even develop into adults in just about a month, making the spread and severity of an infestation all the more untamable. Though there exist many types of cockroaches, the most common ones in the Kittitas County area are:
American cockroaches. This type of cockroach loves your areas of excess moisture. They are red to brown in coloring, and their exterior has an almost see-through effect. If you spot anything of the like near leaky faucets or drain pipes, this is probably your pest.
German cockroaches. This is the most common type of roach in the United States. Light brown to tan in color, they like to be where the people are! These party animals want your food, so think of the kitchen, the dining room, or anywhere else that you eat. This is also a species that prefers to crawl and scamper, unlike other species that fly.
Brown-banded cockroaches. This species is most easily spotted by their appearance, as they are, in fact, brown and have brown bands that run around their heads and backs. This type of roach thrives off of messy pantries, dirty dishes, and other food sources.
Misconceptions Of Cockroaches
While many people think cockroaches are truly a gross pest and believe they are an indicator of poor hygiene and housekeeping, they can be attracted to just about anything. So, although an unkempt house does provide them with more of what they love, roaches can survive nearly anywhere, even in the cleanest home.
The Dangers Of Cockroaches
Cockroaches are sturdy pests that love everything humans love, which means that they are never too far from your daily goings-on. Getting rid of them can be dangerous and poses problems that homeowners should be aware of. Some of the dilemmas that homeowners might have in dealing with cockroaches in Kittitas County are:
Health hazards. Because cockroaches hang out in unsanitary places before they enter your home, they carry and spread dangerous bacteria and pathogens across surfaces. So while they don't bite, they do scratch, which is a significant way to infect humans. Some of the things they can pass along include salmonella, streptococcus, staphylococcus, dysentery, and typhoid fever. Furthermore, their saliva and shed skin can cause severe allergic reactions in people with preexisting ones and those who have never had allergies.
Difficulty in elimination. Due to their ability to live in nearly any condition (i.e., without food, without water, without a head), roaches are nearly impossible to eliminate on your own once you have them.
Because of the dangerous nature of cockroaches and their ability to withstand nearly any condition, they are not a pest to deal with on your own. At first sight of cockroaches, contact the professionals at Prosite for removal and any ongoing assistance that you may need.