Due to increasingly frequent questions from citizens about the appearance of cockroaches in apartments, houses and other buildings, the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica warns that the presence of these insects is not only an aesthetic or hygienic problem, but can also represent a significant public health risk.
Cockroaches most often move through sewage systems, waste disposal rooms, basements and other unhygienic places, after which they can mechanically transmit various infectious disease agents and contaminate food, kitchen surfaces, dishes and other objects with which people come into contact on a daily basis. Their remains, secretions and body parts can cause or worsen allergic reactions and respiratory problems, especially in children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma or other chronic diseases of the respiratory system.
According to the Institute, the first signs of an infestation can be the frequent sighting of live or dead cockroaches, especially at night, their presence in the kitchen, bathroom, basements, storerooms or waste disposal areas, the appearance of a characteristic unpleasant smell, traces of excrement and remains of changing clothes, as well as the reappearance of cockroaches shortly after individual treatment. If cockroaches are noticed during the day, this may indicate an already developed infestation or a lack of space in which they can hide.
Maintaining hygiene and acting together are the key to successful suppression
Experts point out that the occurrence of cockroaches can be significantly reduced by consistently implementing preventive measures. Food should be stored in well-closed containers, food residues, crumbs and dirty dishes should not be left overnight, and it is especially recommended not to leave containers of pet food open during the night, which are a frequent source of food for cockroaches.
It is important to regularly clean the space under and behind kitchen appliances, keep basements, storage rooms, corridors and other common areas clean, remove unnecessary cardboard boxes and objects that can be used as a hiding place, regularly empty waste bins and keep communal waste disposal areas tidy.
Special attention should be paid to moisture removal, repair of water leaks from taps, drains and pipes, regular cleaning of drains and siphons, as well as closing cracks in walls, floors and around installations through which cockroaches can move freely.
When cockroaches appear in several apartments or in the common areas of a building, treating only one apartment, as a rule, will not permanently solve the problem, according to experts. These insects easily move from one space to another through installation ducts, vents, cracks and sewage systems, which is why it is necessary to involve the building manager and representatives of apartment owners to determine the extent of the problem and organize a coordinated treatment.
It is especially important that the treatment of all affected and interconnected areas be carried out simultaneously or in the shortest possible period of time, because carrying out disinsection at different times significantly reduces its effectiveness. After the treatment, it is necessary to continue maintaining hygiene, removing the causes that favor the reproduction of cockroaches and, according to the expert contractor’s assessment, perform a success control and, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
Proper disinsection and responsible handling give the best results
The institute warns that means for destroying cockroaches should be used exclusively according to the instructions of the manufacturer or an authorized disinsection contractor. It is not recommended to mix different preparations, use larger amounts than prescribed, apply insecticides to surfaces where food is prepared or stored, or place preparations in places accessible to children and pets. After the treatment, the space should be used exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the professional contractor or the preparation manufacturer.
Citizens should also avoid the most common mistakes that make cockroach control difficult. You should not use unregistered or unknown agents, move furniture, waste or other objects from infected premises to common parts of the building, remove or close baits and gels placed by a professional contractor, or stop treatment as soon as the number of cockroaches temporarily decreases, because in this way the problem is usually only postponed.
The owner or user of the space is responsible for the appearance of cockroaches inside an individual apartment, while for the common parts of the apartment building, the building manager and the representative of the apartment owners must be notified.
In cases where the problem relates to public areas, sewage infrastructure or waste disposal areas, it is necessary to contact the competent city or municipal service, or utility company.
For buildings where food is produced, prepared or served, as well as for health, educational, social and hospitality institutions, the owners or users of the buildings are responsible for implementing prescribed hygiene and preventive measures, while in case of suspicion that these measures are not being implemented, citizens can contact the competent sanitary inspection.
The Institute for Health and Food Safety states that timely reporting of problems, joint action of all users of the facility, maintenance of a high level of hygiene, removal of food and water sources, and professional and coordinated disinsection are the most effective way of long-term suppression of cockroaches and prevention of their reappearance.
