Cockroaches can spread disease. Here’s how to keep them away from your home in Kansas
While cleaning up around the house before inviting guests over is a common practice, it’s also a good thing to do to keep one unwelcome guest out.
Cockroaches are prevalent all over the United States and can be found all year round both outdoors and in homes.
There are several different types of cockroaches in the state. The two most common in Kansas are American cockroaches and German cockroaches.
American cockroaches usually measure about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long and are reddish-brown with a yellow thorax. German, on the other hand, are smaller — measuring about a half-inch long and are tan in color with dark lines running down their body.
“Cockroaches are not welcome mainly because they can spread diseases … [and] studies have shown they can stimulate asthma,” said Raymond Cloyd, professor of entomology at Kansas State University.
According to Healthline, cockroaches are known to carry intestinal diseases like diarrhea, cholera, dysentery and typhoid fever. They can also carry bacteria that can cause disease if left in food.
Enzymes they sometimes leave through shedding of body parts, eggs and saliva are also known to cause allergies.
Cockroaches are typically most active in humid, moist conditions. In your home, this could mean bathrooms and basements.
“They tend to reside in homes where the temperature and relativity are conducive for their growth, development, reproduction,” Cloyd said.
HOW TO KEEP COCKROACHES OUT OF YOUR HOME
The best way to keep cockroaches away is to practice good hygiene, Cloyd said.
“They tend to reside in areas where there’s clutter and there’s food available,” he said.
Cloyd recommends to store all food away in Tupperware containers, repair any leaks to avoid moisture and humidity, and invest in baits to put around the home.
“If you exhibit good sanitation, vacuuming, not leaving any food debris, removing clutter and bringing out baits, they can be manageable,” Cloyd said.
Cloyd also said keeping dehumidifiers in specific areas of the home can also help.
“Dry areas are going to be less conducive for them for survival, compared like a basement of bathroom, any place where you’re going to get moisture accumulation,” Cloyd said.
But for some, just cleaning might not do the trick.
Cloyd said cockroaches are known to use water lines and electric lines to get from one place to the next, which can complicate things for those living in an apartment complex.
“It takes an effort by everybody to deal with them,” Cloyd said.
For anyone dealing with a cockroach infestation, Cloyd recommends calling a pest control professional.