Fortunately, cockroaches aren’t known to bite humans. Their danger isn’t found in biting or causing other physical harm. With that said, the spines on their legs have been known to cause scratches. This can be dangerous since the pests carry bacteria that can cause an infection. In general homeowners don’t have to worry about being bitten. It’s the bacteria that these unhygienic creatures carry that people should worry about most.

Cockroaches can be found both inside and outside of homes. These creatures are known to be filthy, naturally carrying bacteria with them wherever they go. They are a known source of allergens and can trigger asthma-related symptoms in humans when nearby or during home infestations. Cockroaches can also leave bacteria on food they come into contact with, so it’s important for homeowners to make sure that these bugs never make it into the kitchen.

Cockroaches carry bacteria that can cause several different diseases. If they come into contact with food in your home and leave bacteria behind, they can cause diseases like salmonella and streptococcus. They are also known to cause diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery - all of which are gastro-intestinal diseases caused by bacteria found in food.

Boxelder bugs are known to feast on the juices that can be found in the seeds of Boxelder trees, which is where they get their name. These bugs are also fond of maple trees. Neighborhoods in or near areas with a high volume of Boxelder or Silver Maple trees may find that they spot these little pests often. Fortunately, these bugs prefer not to dine on wood or other materials that make up the structure of your home.

Cockroaches are typically easy to spot. These large, 6-legged insects can grow up to an inch long. They have 2 sets of wings and are usually a reddish-brown color. Smaller young cockroaches, known as nymphs, are noticeably smaller than adults and live in the same environment as their larger full-grown counterparts.

Cockroaches will eat anything and everything that they can get their hands on. They are omnivorous insects, meaning that they eat any and all food that is available to them - and they especially like the food in your kitchen. They can survive longer without food (up to several months) than if they are left without water (several days). These pests like to gather wherever homeowners cook and eat their food, and will eat whatever they can get their antennae on.

There are 3 distinct stages to the life cycle of cockroaches. The first stage is the egg stage. Mother cockroaches carry up to 40 eggs around in a sac on her abdomen called an ootheca. Some species will carry this ootheca within their bodies instead of externally. After 6 to 8 weeks small cockroaches emerge from the sacs, starting the second phase - the nymph phase. Nymph cockroaches, which are smaller adolescents, grow into their adult size over a year. Even small amounts of food can sustain these pests and enable them to live longer and grow in size. Once roaches are full-grown adults, they can live for anywhere between 1 to 2 years.

Since getting rid of cockroaches can be a challenge for most homeowners it is often best to take preventative measures. Here are a few quick tips that can help you keep your home safe.

Keep your home and kitchen clean. Cockroaches love food almost as much as humans do, so it’s likely that they’ll gather in your kitchen. Keeping leftover food away and cleaning your kitchen will help you avoid unknowingly feeding any cockroaches that may find their way into your home.

Clean and take out your garbage bins regularly. Garbage cans are a great place for cockroaches to hide. Leftover food and other waste left in garbage cans attract roaches and give them a food source to sustain their growth.

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to turn to boric acid when attempting to get rid of cockroaches and other pests like ants. While boric acid will definitely kill cockroaches that come into contact with the poison, it isn’t safe for human consumption. Since cockroaches tend to hide in or near kitchens where food is consumed, and boric acid in a poison that can cause illness in humans if exposed to it over long periods of time, it can be unsafe - especially for kids and pets. Our child-safe, pet-friendly and environmentally friendly Power Sprayer treatment uses the safest and highest-grade spray to get rid of cockroaches while keeping your family safe. If you’re dealing with cockroaches or other bugs, click here to see how we keep 70+ other pests out of your home.