Cockroach Invasion: What Does It Mean When They Appear in Your Home?

Many people believe that the appearance of cockroaches in the home is exclusively linked to the scattering of food scraps or garbage in different corners of the house. However, their unwanted presence can be linked to a variety of factors. Due to the rapid reproduction of these insects, their appearance often indicates the presence of others in the home.

According to João Paulo Lacerda, a veterinarian specializing in food hygiene and inspection, one of the factors that influences the emergence of cockroaches is the lack of preventive measures, such as pest control . Furthermore, conditions such as humid climates and the availability of food and organic materials contribute to the problem, which bothers many people.

Check out the possible reasons for the appearance of cockroaches in your home below:

• Debris and excessive vegetation: construction debris, such as bricks, creates a favorable environment for laying eggs, which can be contained in resistant capsules containing more than 300 “babies” of the species Blatella Germanica (the famous French cockroach).
• Uncovered sewers and accumulated trash: Leaving sewers unprotected can facilitate cockroaches' access to your home. This accumulation, in turn, prolongs their stay.
• Restaurants with poor waste collection: Having food establishments nearby is one of the risk factors, especially when these establishments fail to properly manage waste disposal. Improper disposal facilitates access for animals such as dogs and cats, which tear the bags and expose the food to insects .
• Easy access to indoor spaces: Easily accessible windows and doors can encourage cockroach entry. Lacerda recommends the use of retractable drains (with a sealing system). "Ideally, doors should be properly sealed and spaces should be kept dry and sanitized," he suggests.
• Food availability: Not taking out the trash daily can be a determining factor in pest infestation. Experts recommend collecting waste at least once a day.

According to Lacerda, another factor that can influence the appearance of cockroaches is rainy periods. Sewer systems often flood, causing the pest to flee to the surface in search of shelter, "which increases their presence inside homes," concludes the specialist from Unipê University Center.