It’s National Asthma Awareness Month! Are you sneezing? Are your eyes itchy and red? Allergy and asthma sufferers may be quick to chalk up their symptoms to the evolving seasons, but in reality, these could be a reaction to a protein cockroaches store on their bodies and in their saliva and fecal matter. Once airborne, it contaminates the home and can cause a reaction.
Common cockroach allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- A chronic stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- Coughing and wheezing
- Skin rash
- Chest tightness
In an effort to spread awareness this month, let’s review some preventive measures to limit roaches’ desire to enter.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is the battlefield where you will reclaim your home from cockroaches. This space is most appealing because it provides a source of food, water and shelter. Be thorough when cleaning to capture an early victory over your uninvited guests. Keep counters and floors free of crumbs and debris and disinfect them to remove any potential allergen buildup. Your sink should be clean and absent of dirty dishes, which attract roaches. Place any opened foods, including pet foods, in sealed containers. Finally, remove your trash frequently and keep it in a sealed garbage can.
Bathroom
With the abundance of water and piping to travel along, your bathroom is a targeted gathering area for cockroaches. Limit the appeal by wiping up any pools of water that develop following a shower or bath and fixing any leaky pipes, especially those under sinks.
As you can see, maintaining a clean home is the ultimate preventive measure you can take against cockroaches. If you are experiencing asthma or allergy symptoms and suspect an issue, we can survey your property and develop a personalized eradication plan. Contact us today!