Why do cockroaches appear?
The German cockroach is found in structural areas but prefers warm places with high humidity.
They are often found in kitchens, but infestations can occur in other rooms, namely places where humans store foodstuffs and which have ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
This cockroach species is introduced through cardboard/paper packaging by equipment introduced at the target location, which often occurs through the supply chain. Feeding is based on everything that has nutritional value, including all foodstuffs, glue and toothpaste, sugary items and fatty materials, including soap.
The female carries the ootheca, so she later deposits it in a suitable place. The ootheca is a capsule where cockroaches lay their eggs and contain between 30 and 40 mostly female eggs.
The time that elapses between the phases of egg to adult can vary between 54 to 215 days. On average, it is 103 days, which allows obtaining 3 to 4 new generations per year; however, it can reach six generations in ideal conditions of temperature/food. Adults live an average of 100 to 200 days.
Facts about cockroaches:
Cockroaches are great enemies of the urban environment and bring great risks to human beings;
Cockroaches, when in conditions prone to their proliferation, multiply at an incredible speed;
They live in sanitation facilities but go to buildings for their food, looking for shelter and warmth;
As they move around inside homes, they leave behind bacteria and parasites, among others.
However, cockroaches do not need to contaminate a surface to harm you. They can do so simply by existing and conveying disgust at their physical existence.
Their droppings, urine and decaying cockroach bodies turn into particles that can pose a serious risk to asthmatics when inhaled, especially children.
To prevent cockroaches from entering your home or establishment, you should:
- Keep the sinks clean and without dirty dishes;
- Prevent your home from getting too hot. Cockroaches love hot and humid places and particularly choose this type of environment to live and reproduce;
- Keep all edible substances in airtight containers;
- Keep fruits and vegetables in the fridge, especially when ripe;
- Keep bags of cereals, flour and seeds in tightly closed containers;
- Keep the kitchen countertops and floors free of crumbs and spills and frequently sanitize to eliminate the paths marked by insects;
- Please pay particular attention to all goods from supermarkets and wholesalers, as they often hide urban pest eggs in their boxes. Choose to eliminate cardboard boxes and other packaging;
- Dump the garbage daily! Pests love trash! Especially garbage buckets full of leftover food. In addition to serving as food, they help their proliferation, as pests use spoiled food to lay their eggs;
- Seal/Insulate inside and outside – Seal all cracks and holes outside your home or establishment, including entry points for pipes and sewers. We also recommend filling gaps around doors and windows.
It is important to pay attention to the safety of the methods used to combat these pests, as cockroaches are very persistent and often difficult to control.
It then becomes necessary to find more lasting solutions which do not jeopardize public and environmental health, including food safety in these aspects.
If you suspect a cockroach infestation, we advise you to consult a specialist pest control company.
