All around the world, cockroaches are deemed a dangerous and unsanitary insect. To learn more about cockroaches, read this professional blog post which will tell you what you need to know.

About cockroaches

There are thousands of species of cockroaches worldwide, but the most common species are the American cockroach, German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and the Brown-banded cockroach. All cockroaches have six legs, two antennae and two pairs of wings. Dependant on the species of cockroach, they can measure up to 1 inch long. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, there are thousands of types of cockroaches around the world, but only 30 are considered pests. They are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, and cockroach fossils date back 350 million years.

Do cockroaches bite?

Research carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that cockroaches do not bite, although when they crawl, they can scratch you with their leg spines. Cockroaches are carriers of bacteria, so if you were to be scratched it could become infected.

Cockroach allergy and disease

A 2012 article that was published in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Research has described that cockroaches are one of the most common sources of indoor allergens. The enzymes found in the faeces, eggs, saliva and shedding body parts of cockroaches are the most common causes of allergic reactions in people, but children are more susceptible. If you are suffering with a cockroach allergy, it is recommended you visit your GP, and they will recommend or prescribe the relevant medication.

There is little evidence of specific disease outbreaks and cockroaches being linked, however it is known that cockroaches are carriers of bacteria. According to the World Health Association (WHO), it is known that cockroaches are carriers of many intestinal diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea.

Cockroach eradication

There are many avenues you can go down to eradicate a cockroach infestation from your home or business, but insecticides are usually the quickest and most effective way of achieving total eradication. Pest Control Supermarket are the UK’s leading suppliers of cockroach insecticides, as they supply the strongest products available to the UK amateur market. The full range can be found by visiting www.pestcontrolsupermarket.com, or calling 0114 2128758 and speaking to one of the professional pest control advisors.