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How Dangerous Are Cockroaches In South Carolina?

June 19, 2020

You probably don’t need anyone to convince you that cockroaches are undesirable pests. But you may not realize just how dangerous they can be. Find out why cockroaches in South Carolina are more harmful than you may know.

a cockroach crawling in a basement

Cockroaches In South Carolina

There are several species of cockroach in South Carolina. One of the most common types of cockroach in the area is the American cockroach, which is also known as the palmetto bug. They are the largest house cockroach in the United States and can be identified by a figure-eight pattern on their head.

Another species you might come across is the German cockroach. This smaller roach has two black stripes that go down its head. It’s easy to differentiate this from the brown-banded cockroach, which has horizontal bands across its wings.

Despite the differences in appearances, all of the cockroaches in South Carolina are dangerous home-invaders. They put you and your family at risk.

The Hidden Danger Of Roaches

Cockroaches are attracted to places that have ample food. For instance, they walk around alleys with full dumpsters and piles of garbage. They crawl through rubbish bins and sewers and pick up pathogens as they go.

Every cockroach has hooks on its legs, and those hooks can hold pathogens and other harmful particles. When an insect makes its way into your home, it could bring unwanted bacteria, viruses, and more. As it walks across your food and surfaces, it leaves behind those particles.

And so, cockroaches spread diseases. They can spread salmonella, diarrhea, dysentery, and more. Reactions to these diseases vary from mild to severe. But disease isn’t the only problem associated with cockroaches. They shed their skins and leave behind their feces, which triggers allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Typically, young children and the elderly are the most affected by these allergens.

A Growing Problem

At first, you might only see one cockroach in your home. However, this is only the beginning of your issues. There’s never only one cockroach. If you see one, there are more hiding somewhere else.

Because cockroaches are such rapid breeders, they take over a home in a short period of time. This increases the chance of them spreading diseases, placing you and your family more at risk. As soon as you see one cockroach, you should contact a pest control technician.

Preventing Cockroaches

Before you find a roach in your home, you can take some action to deter them. First, store all of your food in sealed containers. Cockroaches are attracted to food items, and all of your unsealed dry goods will welcome the pests into your home. Secondly, you should frequently clean your counters and floors. If leftover crumbs accumulate, cockroaches will have a buffet. Do your best to keep your home clean, and you may be able to prevent cockroaches.

Another effective prevention method is to seal up entry points. If there are gaps in your doors, you should install door sweeps. Use caulk to seal up gaps in your windows trim, even if the gap seems small. The flat body of a cockroach makes it easy for the insect to get through tiny crevices.

Eliminating moisture in your home will also help. If your basement is too moist, you should use a humidifier to reduce the moisture. Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and other fixtures. If there’s not enough moisture in your home, cockroaches might seek shelter elsewhere.

How Do You Get Rid Of Cockroaches?

If your prevention efforts fall short, call a professional. There’s no reason to put your family’s health at risk. Contact the professionals at Jury Pest Control right away.

Tags: home pest control | pest prevention | cockoraches |