Do Cockroaches Carry Disease? Yes, they do.
While they are predominantly found in already unsanitary conditions, there are times cockroaches take up residence in a clean home.
When cockroaches are present, it is important to contact the best pest control service in Toronto as soon as possible to remove them.
The cockroach has nasty habits, especially when it comes to feeding and nesting.
They do not discriminate when it comes to food; including eating their dead fellow roaches.
So, it should not be a surprise that they come into contact with various bacteria and viruses; and, spread their collection.
Could You Get an Illness from a Cockroach?
Cockroaches have the potential to spread disease, but according to the World Health Organization (WHO), they are not the biggest disease spreader today.
That doesn’t, however, mean that they can’t spread diseases or have not in the past.
Cockroaches can and do play a role in the proliferation of the world’s deadliest diseases.
In the past, cockroaches have been responsible for spreading the following:
- Listeria
- Salmonella
- Typhoid Fever
- Cholera
- Dysentery
- Leprosy
- The Plague
- Giardia
Not to mention how cockroaches spread asthma and allergy problems.
5 Big Health Hazards of Cockroaches
1. Asthma and Allergy Triggers
Toronto pest control companies are typically contacted after a homeowner notices that their allergies and asthma are getting worse indoors.
Certain cockroaches carry proteins that they leave behind in their feces, saliva, and bodies. These trigger allergic reactions and can worsen asthmatic symptoms.
2. Salmonella
Just like rodents (including mice and rats), cockroaches are known carriers of Salmonella, which can cause Salmonellosis, a disease common with food poisoning.
Salmonella, according to The Government of Canada, affects children the most and it spreads through contaminated food or water. Therefore, a carrier cockroach can walk over food or water sources and spread the bacteria.
In some cases, salmonella is so severe that a person needs medical intervention.
3. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever is a bacterial infection and a highly infectious disease. It is common in developing third-world countries, especially areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
Cockroaches acquire the disease by consuming feces (something they are known to dine on) that are contaminated with the bacterium.
While the chances of having Typhoid Fever in the United States is limited, if you notice a cockroach infestation in your home, contact a pest control company in Toronto as soon as possible.
After all, the potential for a harmful bacteria or virus is reason enough to eradicate them.
4. Leprosy
Cockroaches, as well as other insects, are carriers of Mycobacterium leprae, which can lead to leprosy.
Through a cockroaches feces, they spread the bacterium.
The bacteria itself is not highly infectious, and it has limited abilities to live in open air. However, if the bacterium is contracted, it causes permanent damage to the skin, eyes, nerves, and other cells of the body.
If you are infected with the bacteria, you may not have symptoms for five to 20 years.
5. Listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes is a common bacterium found in North America, and it is responsible for numerous recalls and illnesses each year.
Due to the risk cockroaches pose to the public, the Government of Canada recommends eradicating them because they can spread disease and contaminate food.
See Cockroaches? Contact the Best Pest Control Service in Toronto
If you notice cockroaches in your home, contact a pest control company in Toronto quickly.
While they may not carry the diseases prone to third-world and developing countries, they still could contaminate your food, aggravate allergies, and exacerbate your asthma.
The team at Power Pest Control offers Toronto homeowners pest control services that eradicate everything from rodents to insects to wasps.
Learn about our fast, safe, and effective pest control solutions that can help remove insects and rodents troubling your home today.
Power Pest Control carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and we have an excellent review status on Homestars.com.
