Are Cockroaches a Health Hazard in Las Vegas, NV?

You head to your pantry for a late-night snack. Upon opening the door, a cockroach jumps, or perhaps flies, out at you. You recoil in horror, knowing that where there’s one roach, there are probably dozens of others.

Are cockroaches in Las Vegas a health hazard? They can be. Roaches don’t bite, but they can make you sick. Learn about the dangers of roaches in your home below, then call us for pest control in Las Vegas, NV. 

Types of Cockroaches in Las Vegas Homes

All types of cockroaches have the potential to spread disease. The most common type found in Las Vegas homes is the German cockroach, which measures about a half-inch long and has black stripes on its head. German roaches are voracious eaters and reproduce faster than any other kind of roach.

American cockroaches are fairly common as well and mostly live in damp, dark areas such as basements, boiler rooms, and sewers. They are the biggest roaches, measuring up to two inches long.

Bacteria-Laden Cockroaches Serve as Vectors for Disease Transmission

Human instinct causes us to view cockroaches with disgust, and that’s a perfectly natural reaction. Studies have shown that these opportunistic pests can carry seven pathogens, six kinds of parasitic worms, and 33 types of bacteria, including salmonella and streptococci. Roaches have even been found to carry the polio virus and may have been partly responsible for outbreaks of this devastating disease before the introduction of a vaccine.

The bacteria and viruses cockroaches in Las Vegas carry can cause a number of serious diseases, some of which may be deadly. These diseases, largely intestinal in nature, include diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, and cholera.

Why exactly are roaches so bacteria-laden? The biggest reason is that they crawl in and ingest contaminated material, including rotten food and feces. That’s why cockroaches are commonly found in places that have sanitation issues.

However, you can have cockroach infestations even with a clean home. It only takes a few stray crumbs to attract a roach family. Once they set up shop, they can survive on almost anything, from cardboard packaging to the corpses of other roaches. 

Got Allergies or Asthma? Get Rid of Those Cockroaches ASAP

Can cockroaches cause allergies? They certainly can. Cockroach saliva, eggs, body parts, and droppings contain enzymes that are allergy triggers for some people. Symptoms can include sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy skin, and a sore throat. Research has found that cockroach allergies predominately affect children but can impact some adults as well.

Cockroaches are particularly dangerous to people with asthma, especially children. Roach feces and other detritus can trigger asthma attacks that may be deadly if not treated promptly.

How to Send Roaches Packing

Now that you know about the health risks of roaches, how can you get rid of cockroaches in Las Vegas and keep them from returning for good? Follow these tips:

• Understand the scope of the infestation before you begin treating. If you spot several roaches, there may be hundreds more hiding in your home. You must continue to treat until you no longer see any roaches.
• Take the garbage out every night before going to bed. Garbage odors are like a siren song for roaches.
• Clean dirty dishes, spills, and crumbs immediately. A single crumb or food scrap can sustain a family of roaches for a surprisingly long time.
• Avoid leaving pet food out at night. If you must do so, invest in an automatic feeder that keeps the food contained.
• Check for food spills under and behind your refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove.
• Look for sources of moisture, such as leaky pipes, and eliminate them. Cockroaches in Las Vegas thrive in moist environments.
• Seal gaps around plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, windows, doors, and cabinets to remove entry points for roaches.
• Consider removing the carpet in your home. Carpet attracts and holds onto cockroach debris and can make allergies worse.

If you’re having trouble containing a cockroach infestation, reach out to our pest control company in Las Vegas. You’ll love our reliable pest control solutions, and that’s a guarantee.