What are cockroaches?
Although cockroaches have been around for millions of years and have evolved into more than 4000 cockroach species, only 1% of that number are considered to be household pests.
The majority of cockroaches are located in the wild and are considered exotic creatures. However, the type of cockroaches you’re probably familiar with and usually find in industrial and commercial spaces are a menace to your quality of life.
Three cockroach species can be found in Singapore, mainly American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and brown-banded cockroaches.
American cockroaches are arguably most commonly seen in Singapore. They are reddish-brown in colour with a yellow band behind their head. They have an average size of 45mm and are known to infest the sewers. They have no preference in terms of surroundings, as you see them active in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Compared to American cockroaches, the German type is rather small, coming to about 20mm in length. In addition, they come in light brown shades and have dark stripes lining their backs. Another important characteristic about the German cockroaches is that they prefer the indoors, especially the kitchen or preparation areas.
In terms of size, the brown-banded cockroaches are very similar to the German cockroaches. The males of this species are lighter in colour compared to the females, but both genders have brown bands surrounding their bodies, hence the name.
Despite their differences in appearance, these three types of cockroaches carry bacteria and viruses that they spread to the public by contaminating surfaces and food. They’re known to cause diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis, and food poisoning, among others. As such, cockroaches are considered to be one of the more hazardous pests to have at home.
What are the signs of cockroaches?
To protect your health from disease-carrying cockroaches, you need to be familiar with their behaviour. Here are some telltale signs that you can watch for to indicate a cockroach infestation at home:
Cockroaches mate only once in their lives, but they reproduce up to 400 eggs per mating. Their eggs are oval in shape and brown in colour. Most people confuse them for cockroach droppings, but they are much bigger in size. They’re usually found clustered in their breeding grounds and must be eradicated before they can hatch because they can worsen the infestation.
To differentiate the droppings from their eggs, the former looks similar to black pepper but is cylindrical in shape. They’re usually found scattered along the walls, on top of tables, kitchen countertops, or anywhere else they can crawl to.
Another natural behaviour that cockroaches do is shed skin. Cockroaches need to moult to reach full maturity. They will Do this around five to eight times in their lifetime and leave them near their breeding grounds. So if you notice brown shed skins anywhere in your home, that might be a positive sign of cockroach infestation.
Cockroaches have a distinct odour that can only be detected during intense cockroach infestation. It’s pungent and musty as a result of collected urine, droppings, and dirt. Even after the cockroaches are removed, the unpleasant smell might still linger when not handled properly.
Despite their differences in appearance, these three types of cockroaches carry bacteria and viruses that they spread to the public by contaminating surfaces and food. They’re known to cause diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis, and food poisoning, among others. As such, cockroaches are considered to be one of the more hazardous pests to have at home.
Diseases Caused by Cockroaches
Cockroaches can cause several health problems and concerns due to their filthy habits and potential for carrying and spreading disease-causing organisms.
- Cockroaches produce allergens that can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in some people.
- Ingesting food contaminated with cockroach droppings or bacteria can result in gastroenteritis, which is characterised by symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache.
- Cockroaches also carry the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which is responsible for causing typhoid fever. It is characterised by high fever, weakness, headache, and loss of appetite.
- Cockroaches also transmit the bacterium that causes cholera, an intestinal infection characterised by severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
Cockroaches also carry Salmonella bacteria, which can cause salmonellosis, a type of food poisoning.
What are tips to prevent and eliminate cockroaches?
Although these telltale signs can help you better prepare for an infestation, the best solution is always prevention. So here are some practical tips to avoid cockroaches from entering your home.
Cockroaches are tiny creatures that can fit through holes, crevices, and cracks around your house. In addition, cockroaches can navigate their way in the sewer system, so drainage, pipes, and plumbing are possible entry points for these critters. By knowing where they can enter from, you can instantly block all passages by sealing off all holes and cracks, as well as ensuring that all pipes are tightly screwed.
Much like other pests, food and water are necessities for cockroaches. Therefore, they are attracted to places that give them access to such resources. Because of this, you need to remove all water sources by addressing leakage and other faulty pipes. Also, you need to ensure that all food sources is tightly sealed and trash properly disposed of. This way, cockroaches will have no reason to infest your home.
Besides removing all resources, one of the best tips to ensure cockroach pest control in Singapore is to have a clean and tidy home. Having a clean home removes their hiding spots, which further discourages them from inhibiting your home.
Why do you need to hire a professional Cockroach Pest Control Company in Singapore?
With these preventive measures, you can rest assured that cockroaches will be kept far away from your home. However, as agile creatures, they may still make their way into your home despite the preventive measures.
In instances where a cockroach infestation is present, simply swatting them with your footwear or spraying them with insecticides won’t do. You need professional pest control to effectively and efficiently eradicate your cockroach problems.
Why Choose Us for Cockroach Control?
Avalon Services expertly inspects your home and monitors cockroach activity to determine the severity of the infestation, species of cockroaches, and location of breeding sites. We use this valuable information and offer the best solution ranging from baiting to dry treatment plan to ensure that all cockroaches are properly eliminated from your premises.
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