American roaches. Known as Bombers, B-52’s, Palmetto Bugs, 747’s, and my personal favorite – The Hawai’i State Bird.
There is nothing that freaks me out more than a flying roach. I don’t run. I don’t even walk at a brisk pace on a good day. But a flying Roach? Nah-Uh. I bibbidi bobbidi boo myself into a cross between the Hulk and Usain Bolt on Red Bull.
Oh, there’s a table in my way? 8 foot fence? A wall?
…Not anymore…
Roaches as Vectors of Disease, Viruses, and Bacteria
Those of you tough guys and gals that laugh at our screaming running kind should actually be afraid, mainly because of what they carry. These filthy insects have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria.
Throughout history pests like Rodents, Mosquitos, Fleas, and Roaches have been known to carry and spread diseases that have severely impacted our population. Our way of life has been drastically changed with the spread of COVID-19. It’s important we stay informed about disease, virus, and bacteria carriers that aren’t in human form.
Cockroaches are known to play a role in spreading diseases like typhoid, cholera, leprosy, dysentery, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They pick up germs on the spines of their legs and body as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage, and then transfer the germs onto food or cooking surfaces.
Saliva, urine and fecal droppings from American cockroaches contain allergen proteins known to elicit allergic reactions and asthma attacks. As such, cockroaches are a common trigger of year-round allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children. They also carry the eggs of parasitic worms and have been known to cause allergic reactions and dermatitis.
My home is clean, why do I see roaches?
Now, just because you see them around your house does not mean that you are not clean. These guys like a wide variety of food, but they are particular fond of fermenting material. Outside of our houses they like fungi, algae, decaying leaves and other small bugs so they can actually survive without us here with our tropical environment.
They come on the inside with weather changes, or they are looking for food and water. On Oahu we see an influx with lack of rain and heavy rain. Those hot humid nights are when they are most active.
Indoors, they eat crumbs found under appliances, in drains, behind kitchen cabinets and on the floor. They will also eat pet food that is left uncovered.
What are roaches eating and what is attracting them?
Cockroaches prefer sugar and starchy foods but will eat any type of food that we eat. They will also feed on their own skin shells after molting, other dead roaches, cardboard, the glue that binds books, feces, and decaying and fermented organic matter.
According to the WHO (World Health Organization) Cockroaches will even feed off the fingernails and toenails of babies, and sleeping or sick individuals.
Cockroaches prefer sugar and starchy foods but will eat any type of food that we eat. They will also feed on their own skin shells after molting, other dead roaches, cardboard, the glue that binds books, feces, and decaying and fermented organic matter.
Roaches are thigmotropic, meaning they prefer enclosed, tight spaces to live in, like cracks and crevices. They prefer pressure on all sides of their bodies and hide in these areas for safety. Roaches, unlike many other pests, are highly adaptable and we find both bait aversion and pesticide resistance to be challenged with proper roach control here in Hawaii.
What to do about the roaches?
For this reason, we provide our customers with many options in helping to control roaches. Our service starts with an inspection and discussion about roach sightings and evidence of spoiled food, grass, or other evidence these pests can leave behind.
Kilauea Pest Control provides roach service as part of our regular pest control service which includes many other kinds of structural pests including ants, centipedes, spiders, and even rodents. If you want to rid your home of these pests or keep them from coming in (It’s only a matter of time here in Hawaii) call us today for a free consultation and join the other satisfied Kilauea customers with Hawaii’s #1 reviewed pest service. Check out our options, offers, and recommendations for pest control service here.
