Context:

Cockroaches, common in homes, schools, and workplaces, pose significant health risks as they spread diseases like Salmonella and trigger allergies and asthma. Despite their presence, cockroaches rarely bite humans but pose greater threats through contamination of food and surfaces with bacteria, and by causing allergic reactions from their skin sheddings, waste, eggs, and saliva. To mitigate the health risks, it is essential to prevent infestations by eliminating food, water, and shelter sources, sealing entry points, and maintaining cleanliness. For those with existing infestations, quick action with traps, boric acid, and professional extermination is crucial. Reducing allergens involves maintaining low humidity, using anti-allergen covers, and eliminating fabrics that collect cockroach proteins.

Dive Deeper:

• Cockroaches spread bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, which can cause severe foodborne illnesses like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea when they contaminate food and surfaces.

• Cockroach allergies occur due to immune reactions to proteins found in their bodies, waste, and saliva, with symptoms including skin rash, congestion, sneezing, and more severe respiratory issues in asthmatic individuals.

• Preventing cockroach infestations involves cutting off their access to food, water, and shelter by sealing entry points, keeping food in sealed containers, eliminating moisture, and reducing clutter.

• Eliminating existing cockroach infestations requires immediate action with traps and boric acid, while ensuring these treatments are inaccessible to children and pets, and considering professional extermination services if needed.

• Reducing cockroach allergens involves using humidifiers to maintain 30-50% indoor humidity, washing bedding in hot water, and removing fabrics like curtains and rugs that can harbor cockroach proteins.