A cockroach infestation is not only a nuisance but also a significant health risk. Cockroaches spread a wide range of diseases, including salmonella and staphylococcus. Unfortunately, they can be surprisingly difficult to detect and even more difficult to get out of your home.
How Do Cockroaches Enter the Home?
Cockroaches can travel via a wide variety of objects, including briefcases, grocery bags, furniture, mattresses and suitcases. They may come from hotels, loved ones’ homes, or even retail outlets. Often, people unknowingly bring roach eggs into their homes, making the source of the infestation that much more difficult to track.
What Problems Can Cockroaches Cause?
Cockroaches are notorious for spreading disease and causing allergic reactions. They contaminate food and water by defecating in it. They can also cause significant damage to drapes, wallpaper, and books.
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How Do You Know If You Have Cockroaches?
The most obvious way to detect cockroaches is to see them, but signs may exist long before you lay eyes on a cockroach. Look for feces, which may resemble black pepper. You may also spot egg casings, which have a brownish color and an elongated shape. Large populations of cockroaches give off a musky smell, which most people find incredibly putrid.
How Common Are Cockroaches in Alberta?
Cockroaches are not native to Canada, but they have unfortunately made their way into Alberta and other provinces. They frequently are found in homes in Alberta during the winter months, when they seek shelter in humid household environments. The City of Edmonton in particular has seen a steady increase of cockroach infestations in the past few years.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Do-it-yourself cockroach pest control is not advised. Cockroaches are notoriously resistant to DIY tactics: they are some of the oldest creatures on earth and notorious for surviving harsh conditions. Instead, it is best to rely on the advanced tools and techniques of a professional cockroach pest control company like Assassin Pest Solution, which can help you get rid of these bugs for good.
The specific treatment method used to rid your home of cockroaches depends on the extent of the infestation. Several different treatments may be needed to get rid of cockroaches for good.
Begin by examining key areas with a flashlight.
Find out how cockroaches are entering your homes and then caulking gaps accordingly.
Make it more difficult for cockroaches to find food and water.
Use sticky traps to make it harder for them to hide.
Try desiccants such as diatomaceous earth or boric acid.
Apply liquid or aerosol insecticidal sprays such as permethrin and pyrethrin.
When to Hire a Professional Cockroach Exterminator
If you are suffering from a cockroach infestation, Alberta Health recommends hiring a professional pest control company like Assassin Pest Solution. If you rent, know your landlord is legally obliged to keep your home pest-free. Call Health Link at 811 to register a complaint if your landlord fails to fix the problem.
If you’re not sure if you have a cockroach infestation, give us a call. You can confidentially discuss your situation with us, and if needed one of our licensed and experienced exterminators will assess the situation and inform you of the findings and your options.