Cockroaches pose a significant health threat to any facility they inhabit. They’ve been known to carry 30 types of harmful bacteria and several dangerous pathogens. Even hospitals, which we think of as clean, pest free buildings, can be at risk for cockroach infestation – especially in the fall when pests seek warmer climates.
How do cockroaches get into hospitals and healthcare facilities and what can you do about it? We’ll explain. If your healthcare facility is victim of a cockroach infestation, contact Assured Environments today for swift and discrete pest control treatment.
3 Reasons Why Roaches are Dangerous
The cockroach may be the hardiest of all the six-legged arthropods due to its tough exoskeleton, ability to survive without eating for several weeks (they eat nutritional bacteria that grow on their bodies) and evolved resistance to pesticides.
Additionally, once a female cockroach mates, she essentially remains pregnant without needing to mate again for the rest of her life! Fertile females lay between 15-48 eggs in sacs called ootheca. These sacs hatch into tiny cockroach nymphs which molt several times before becoming adults. During her lifetime, a female roach may lay up to 800 eggs in total.
Cockroaches don’t harbor diseases but they passively carry loads of germs that stick to their bodies and feet. Constant shedding of their exoskeleton has also been linked with serious allergies and asthma attacks when a protein found in their skin called tropomyosin triggers an immune response in allergen-sensitive people.
Cockroaches in Hospitals?
As NYC pest control experts Assured Environments explains the tenacity of cockroaches: “If it’s organic, roaches will eat it”. Although these fast-moving pests prefer human food and garbage, they will eat glue, paint, soap, paper products and anything else they can take a bite from, chew into a pulp and digest.
Because roaches are such opportunistic scavengers, even the cleanest environments such as hospitals, restaurants and schools–can suffer a severe roach infestation after only one pregnant roach starts laying eggs in an enclosed area. Hospital areas where cockroaches tend to gather include:
- Locker and break rooms
- Food area, cafeterias, vending machines
- Janitorial closets
- Floor drains and leaky plumbing
- Sinks and garbage disposals
- Trash chutes
Essentially anywhere there is food or water, roaches will congregate.
How Hospitals Can Prevent Cockroaches
To prevent roaches from becoming a problem in your facility, ensure that these measures are followed by all employees:
Exclusion
Keep cockroaches out by sealing all doors and windows where pests could potentially enter. Exterior maintenance is your first line of defense. Watch food suppliers and other deliveries for any signs of hitchhikers.
Observation
Train your staff to watch for the signs of cockroaches. Have all personnel report sightings of insects, egg casings and cockroach feces immediately. This includes in your cafeteria, laundry and maintenance areas.
Prevention
Cockroach prevention is a team effort. Maintaining a clean environment is your most effective strategy. Make sure food staff follow best practices and store food properly. Keep trash areas clean. Make sure all plumbing issues and leaks get repaired promptly. If cockroaches don’t find food, water and shelter they will move on somewhere else.
Get Rid of Hospital Cockroaches ASAP
Healthcare facilities can’t afford to waste time with home remedies and treatments that don’t work. You need fast and effective cockroach treatment that delivers. Homemade roach deterrents, boric acid, sticky traps and ultrasonic devices simply don’t work when you’re facing a roach infestation. A licensed pest control expert is your best option.
If you run a healthcare facility in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, call the NYC pest control company with decades of experience with commercial pest problems of all types. Our technicians can get rid of your cockroach problem.