As a property manager there are a lot of less than pleasant situations you have to deal with. However, few of them provoke the same full body shudder as the obvious signs of a pest infestation.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of pests you may encounter in your rental properties including termites, mice, bed bugs, and cockroaches. While none of these visitors are welcome residents, few have the notorious reputation of cockroaches. As a property manager, here’s what you should know about roaches and how you can prevent them from moving in.
Cockroaches aren’t just icky to look at.
They actually pose a health risk to the humans they share space with. First off, these intruders are believed to have the capability to spread a variety of diseases including:
- Dysentery
- Cholera
- Leprosy
- Typhoid fever
- Salmonella
Learn more about how cockroaches spread disease here.
Second, roaches can cause serious allergic reactions, especially in individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues. These reactions are seen in people who are allergic to proteins found in cockroach excretions (ex. saliva). When these individuals come into contact with cockroach excretions, they may experience:
- Rashes
- Coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Full blown asthma attacks (in individuals who have asthma)
Last, in cases of extreme infestations when the roaches’ food source is in short supply, cockroaches may actually bite humans. Since roaches are not sanitary, these bites can become infected leading to more serious health problems.
None of this is going to earn your property rave reviews on Yelp!
So, what can you do about it?
The best treatment method is prevention. You can prevent cockroaches from taking up residence in your property by:
Keeping things tidy.
One reason roaches invade a home is in search of food. Open food bags or food in easy to chew through wrappings (including pet food), dirty dishes, overflowing trash, and unswept floors are a literal smorgasbord for these creepy crawlers.
As the property manager, you can ensure that common areas are kept clean and educate your residents about the importance of not letting food set out or dishes and trash pile up.
Keeping things secure.
One way roaches get into homes is via cracks and crevices. (However, this is certainly not the only way they infiltrate a property.) These hiding places are also where they may lay eggs. Do regular inspections of your building for potential entry points and take steps to secure any you find.
Keeping things dry.
Another thing that brings roaches inside is moisture. Be sure to quickly fix any leaks in the property.
You can learn more about what brings cockroaches into your home here.
Keeping an eye out.
Be highly vigilant for signs of a possible cockroach problem. The sooner you can get a professional in to address any issues the better. Signs of an infestation include:
- Droppings that resemble pepper or coffee grounds.
- Dead cockroaches.
- Oval-shaped egg casings.
- An odd musty odor – especially in the kitchen.
This is especially important in the summer when roaches are more prevalent.
You can learn about what types of roaches are common in this area in the Scherzinger Pest Library.
If you believe that you have a roach problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional like those at Scherzinger Pest Control. Cockroaches reproduce quickly and can be tricky to get rid of once and for all. Don’t let the problem fester!
For help handling a cockroach problem trust Scherzinger Pest Control, a pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.