Cockroaches! I really hate that creature. Even before I knew about the diseases it causes, they were scary with sleek bodies and tentacles. I struggled a lot due to this cockroach infestation when I shifted to the new home. Initially, there were no cockroaches that were visibly seen, but they were affected by frequent food poisoning for no reason. All of the family members were panicked to find out the issue and finally saw a few eggs of cockroaches.
This incident made me do more research to find out the cockroach infestation. This is very important, specifically for the food workers, to avoid causing health issues. Here, I would like to share the best tips and signs to find out which infestation for food workers worked well for me.
The Dangerous Diseases Cockroaches Carry
Cockroaches are very dangerous, and due to their unsanitary living habits, they can cause diseases. They can carry and transmit various pathogens, including Salmonella and E. coli. Such bacteria may cause food poisoning and severe gastrointestinal issues. Cockroach droppings, saliva, and shed body parts can affect several types of allergic reactions and asthma, particularly in children.
These pests can also harbor parasitic worms and other infectious agents, contributing to health hazards.
Why do Food Workers have to be Careful?
Food workers are the people who deal with unpackaged food items and food-contact surfaces like utensils. They have to be very careful with the cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the kitchen.
The cockroaches can carry bacteria and contaminate food. So it is always better to go for all the best preventive measures and easy ways to get rid of them.
Prevention to Act Against Cockroach
I always make sure that the kitchen is clean at every corner. Cockroaches can eat almost anything from plants to other insects. So make sure that you are cleaning all surfaces regularly and the food should be stored in closed containers. I have seen that many pantries have unused store rooms with vast areas. This can lead to growth of intrusion of cockroaches. So make sure that you are properly maintaining all areas around your kitchen.
What Signs of Cockroach Infestation Might Food Workers Notice
Food workers need to be alert to the signs of cockroach infestation to ensure a safe and hygienic kitchen environment. There are certain common indicators that helped me to identify its presence in a very effective way.
Musty Odor
This can be a sign of a high infestation. The smell can spread from mostly pheromones released by the cockroaches to communicate with each other or feces. The other reasons for this bad smell are dead cockroaches and contaminated food by cockroaches.
Cockroach Droppings
I was just surprised when I first identified the droppings, cause it never felt like feces. It just look like black spots or small black peppers and caused high infestation. Compared to other signs, this is more easy and simple to identify. The more concentrated black specks, the more serious the infestation. So try to take a sudden step to eradicate it as soon as possible.
Egg Cases and Eggs
The pill-shaped coffee or brown-colored eggs of cockroaches are another sign of it. Even if the cockroach is played out from the egg, the shells remain there. One single female cockroach can produce 150 eggs in a year. If you find the eggs, immediately destroy them; otherwise, they may hatch in your kitchen, and that will increase the number of cockroaches.
Shed Body Parts and Skins
The body parts of cockroaches are tan in color and very light or hollow. If you find it somewhere, the place has to be cleaned as soon as possible because these were the places where the cockroaches were active, such as behind appliances, in dark corners, or near food sources.
Spotting Live Cockroaches
If you find a cockroach, especially in daylight, you can confirm that your kitchen is infested. Cockroaches are typically nocturnal and like to stay in dark and moist places during the day. If they are seen out in the open during the day, it often means that their hiding places are overcrowded, and they are being forced to search for food and shelter.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
You can do regular cleaning in all kitchen areas, including hidden parts. Try to do proper food storage and seal the entry points of cockroaches.
To kill cockroaches in the kitchen, start by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces to remove food debris and reduce their food sources. You can do regular cleaning in all areas of the kitchen, including hidden parts. Try to store food properly and seal the entry points of cockroaches.
I found using bait traps particularly effective, placing them in areas where cockroaches are frequently seen. It is always better to avoid chemicals and other things in the kitchen. For more severe infestations, applying an insecticide in cracks and crevices where cockroaches hide proved crucial. Make sure that you are following the instructions and far away from the cooking area.
