Why Summer Leads to More Cockroach Infestations

In winter it is very noticeable that the number of insects we see in and around our homes continues to decline, as they don’t multiply as quickly as in summer. This is because insects are cold-blooded; they slow down when temperatures drop. While some will die off, many others are hidden inside your home, walls or voids and will simply slow down.

​When summer rides in on a tide of extreme heat and moisture, cockroaches can explode in population numbers with the perfect conditions to feed, breed, and reproduce more rapidly than ever. Cockroaches are famous for loving warm, humid areas, so they will typically be found congregating in certain areas inside homes, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Once they are inside, they will multiply and grow their populations and be extremely difficult to completely eradicate without professional help.

Factors that Encourage Cockroach Activity in Your Home

• Available food sources. Pet food, garbage, crumbs, drink spills, stains, and organic debris are all on the menu for a hungry cockroach.

• High moisture content. Areas with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are common hot spots for cockroach activity. Other things that could create lots of moisture on your property include faulty piping, leaky faucets, water-damaged wood, and clogged gutters.

• Entry points. Cockroaches can’t get inside unless you are allowing them inside. Seal all cracks, gaps, and crevices around every possible entry point. Windows, doorways, foundations, exterior walls, and pipes are typical areas where cockroaches invade.

The Dangers of an Infestation

Every effort should be made to control a cockroach infestation, because they can readily spread disease and dangerous bacteria. As this pest crawls through bacteria and decaying matter in different areas of the home, they transfer these germs onto food surfaces when they forage for nourishment during the evening hours. 

​Cockroaches carry human pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella, which when spread by these insects can promote human diseases and result in diarrhea and food poisoning. When the American cockroach comes in contact with human sewage and pet droppings, it can spread deadly diseases, such as dysentery and typhoid fever. It can also spread the hepatitis virus.

Cast-off skin, feces, and saliva from cockroaches contribute to allergens in the air, which is a leading cause for allergies flaring up with children, or people susceptible to allergic reactions, who are living in a cockroach-infested environment.