The common symptoms of a cold or flu could mean your house is infested with cockroaches, experts have warned.
With Ireland’s temperatures set to plummet this week, the six-legged critters are likely to move indoors seeking warmth, access to water and food.
Rentokil have warned that households may not even know they have an infestation, as the scurrying insects can be hard to detect.
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However, their invasion could be causing bigger problems concerning a person’s health.
The pest-control experts say that symptoms such as blocked sinuses or a sore throat may be due to the presence of cockroaches in large numbers.
Richard Faulkner from Rentokil explained: “Cockroaches leave traces of their saliva, faeces, and body parts in the space they occupy. These traces contain certain proteins which act as allergens and can cause blocked sinuses, ear and sinus infections, irritation around the nose and eyes, and a persistent cough.
“As it gets colder at this time of year, many people may mistake these symptoms for a cold or flu as cockroaches can be difficult to detect. Cockroaches can also pose significant health risks as they are carriers of diseases such as Salmonella, Dysentery and Gastroenteritis.”
Cockroaches typically spend the cold winter months hiding in clusters behind cupboards and doors or in cracks around cabinets and closets. Other hiding places include under sinks, stoves, and refrigerators.
The pests can be difficult to detect, so home and business owners may be experiencing an infestation and be completely unaware of it.
One sign to watch out for is a foul-smelling odour that these insects produce when gathered in large numbers. Other indicators include the presence of shed cockroach skins, small cylindrical cockroach droppings, and brown, irregularly shaped smear marks on horizontal surfaces and wall-floor joints.
So far this year, Dublin has been the county that accounted for the most callouts for cockroaches by Rentokil at 44%. Sligo is at 25%, Westmeath 6%, Louth 5% and Limerick 3%.
Rentokil is advising the public to take the following steps in order to help prevent or eliminate the presence of cockroaches in their home or business:
Eliminate food sources: Do not leave liquid in sinks or buckets, and don’t leave food out on counters. Store dry food in tightly sealed containers. Rinse used/disposable food or drink containers before putting them in the recycling bin, and empty rubbish bins regularly.
Clean: Be sure to clean away all food and liquid debris and spillages around the premises. Remove pet food, drink, and litter trays at night.
De-clutter: Remove old stacks of newspapers and magazines, cardboard boxes and general clutter from around the premises. This type of clutter is where cockroaches leave their droppings, which release an aggregation pheromone that lets other cockroaches know they’ve found safe shelter.
Preventative measures: To prevent cockroaches from entering your premises in the first place, be sure to keep key areas sealed such as cracks in walls, around skirting boards, behind electrical sockets, under kitchen sinks, and bathroom cabinets.
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