From planes to cars, cockroaches seem to be everywhere. How do these resourceful pests find their way into places that humans would prefer they stay away from? Cockroaches are programmed to find a way into any sheltered area with a water and food source.
Cracks, Crevices, and Holes
As with any household pests, cockroaches (also known as Palmetto Bugs) can most often find a way into a building by locating small cracks or holes that lead to a warm, sheltered place to live. A nearby food and water source is another big draw. Sealing up cracks can keep cockroaches from coming into a home, but these pests are known for their resourcefulness and ability to find a way to survive.
Skilled Hitchhikers
Even if a property owner ensures that no cracks or holes can encourage pests to enter a building, cockroaches are adept at finding a way to hitchhike into a building. Clothing and cardboard boxes are two of the cockroach’s favorite places, so it’s easy for the pest to hitch a ride on a coat, in a pile of laundry, or inside a cardboard box.
Cockroaches have been known to find their way into an airplane through luggage or shipping boxes and into cars on clothing.
Reasons to Avoid Cockroaches
Everyone knows cockroaches should be avoided and infestations should be prevented, but what is so bad about these hitchhiking pests?
- Cockroaches find food sources in pantries or refrigerators and feed on these sources. As cockroaches eat, they regurgitate on the food source several times.
- People who have allergies could be allergic to cockroaches. The presence of these pests in the home can make people sneeze, cough, and have other common symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- According to the CDC, asthma attacks induced by cockroaches in a building have been reported.
Cockroaches are considered one of the worst household pests because of their negative effect on human health and their commonality worldwide. They are persistent beasts.
If you’re having a problem with cockroaches that have hitchhiked into your home, contact Orlando’s ABC Home & Commercial Services. ABC employs experienced exterminators familiar with palmetto bugs and can eliminate the problem for good.