Houston is the number one city with the most roach infestations at 35% compared to a national average of 11% thanks to the warm, humid climate. There are many cockroach species in the Houston area, including American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, and Brown-Banded cockroaches. Cockroaches love clutter and dirt as these provide food and shelter. Protected areas such as cardboard boxes and drawers and clutter such as food wrappers and old newspapers provide ideal conditions for these pests to eat, sleep, and reproduce. You can prevent cockroach infestations through professional Houston office cleaning services and following some good office hygiene habits. Here are the dangers of harboring these insects in your space and how Houston office cleaning services prevent cockroach infestation.
Dangers of Cockroaches in the Office
Cockroaches are unhygienic scavengers that like to dwell among humans. Cockroach infestations are dangerous for employee and customer health. Let’s look at some of the dangers of cockroaches:
They spread rot and disease
Roaches can eat anything, from human feces to garbage. That’s why you will often find them in garbage dumps, unclean toilets, and even sewer lines. They can also take shelter in your breakroom where they eat whatever they find — especially sugary substances. These creatures then leave their feces and cast-offs in your edibles, signaling a source of food for their companions. Your foods and surfaces then carry a myriad of bacteria from cockroach guts, exposing you to illnesses.
Cholera, asthma, allergies, gastroenteritis, typhoid, dysentery, leprosy, typhoid, and polio are just a few of the diseases they can carry. Not to mention that these insects reproduce at a high rate, and can move from a family of two to an intrusion of two million in just 24 months.
Their sight and smell can be repulsive to employees or customers
The slimy appearance of cockroaches is often disgusting to many people. Roaches also produce a foul odor caused by the chemical they produce to send a message to other cockroaches about things such as food and mating opportunities. Some people also suffer from extreme cockroach phobia, known as Katsaridaphobia. These creatures can, therefore, make it uncomfortable for some of your employees to work or repel some of your customers which is bad for business.
Cockroaches cause physical damage
Cockroaches do not usually cause intense damage to your infrastructure. However, they can cause damage inside walls, under floorboards, and in the insulation depending on the magnitude of the infestation. They may not eat the wood in your office, but they can destroy wood adhesives. Basically, they can cause damage to your building that can cost thousands to repair.
They can bite into human skin
Occasionally, cockroaches use their heavy leg spines to scratch or bite human skin. Cockroaches bite you when they are out of food and when their skin is covered in food residue. Their legs harbor germs and these germs can lead to inflammation at the bite site and pus formation in rare cases. Cockroaches can, therefore, muster a mega sting that’s 50x its body weight.
They can negatively affect your business reputation
Cockroaches give employees and customers the impression that your business does not value cleanliness or employee health which can repel potential talent and customers. A cockroach experience by your employees or customers can also spread quickly which paints a negative reputation for your business.
How Houston Office Cleaning Services Help Prevent Cockroach Infestations
Having cockroaches in your office is unpleasant. Houston office cleaning services help prevent commercial pest infestation. Some of the preventive measures include:
Houston office cleaning services keep your break rooms clean and surfaces dry
Keeping your break rooms clean at all times and surfaces free of crumbs and open containers keeps off cockroaches. Cleaning services can address hard-to-reach areas where food may fall and go unnoticed. Some of the things you can do to keep your break rooms clean daily are:
- Storing all food items in sealed containers to reduce pest-attracting odors
- Cleaning your refrigerator weekly
- Inspecting all foods that you have stored for a while for holes in the packaging.
- Wipe water off of surfaces as smalls amounts of water can sustain pests for a long time
Houston office cleaning services help remove clutter
Pests like roaches love sheltering in clutter such as piles of cardboard boxes. Crowded areas where there is minimal movement provide comfortable areas for cockroaches to breed. Cleaning services remove all clutter and ensure that there are no open stacks of books, old newspapers, and magazines.
Houston commercial cleaning addresses interior and exterior cleaning needs
Rugs, carpets, and other furnishings can harbor cockroaches and cockroach eggs. Vacuuming these areas at least once a week keeps these insects away. Houston office cleaning services provides commercial carpet cleaning for a hygienic environment.
Garbage is a feast for pests, so don’t leave it sitting around for too long. Take out the trash regularly and clean the trash can bottoms to keep away pests. Empty trash around the desks daily and major trash bins multiple times a week. An outside clean-up also ensures that no pests are breeding from the outside and getting into your office. Houston commercial cleaning services remove clutter, limit water sources, trim plants away from the building, and secure outdoor trash to prevent these insects from getting in.
Provide employee training on preventing cockroaches
Employees should know about your plans to keep a cockroach-free environment. In addition to investing in Houston office cleaning services, also provide employee training on how best to prevent cockroach infestations. Making sure everyone knows your policies and general best practices like cleaning up any spills or crumbs and storing food properly can go a long way.
Building maintenance helps seal areas where cockroaches can get in
Cracks and holes can act as shelters and breeding spaces for cockroaches. Get your building checked at least once a year for openings that may welcome cockroaches such as holes in the walls, unscreened vents, ripped screens, and gaps around windows, doors, windows and pipes. Some cleaning services also provide building maintenance services to keep your building in top condition, sealing any exterior and entry points to prevent pests from accessing your office.
Choose Accredited Building Services for Your Houston Commercial Cleaning Needs
Pests only need water, food, and shelter to survive. Even a vacant office space can offer all with the added bonus of no disruptions. Regular and thorough cleaning and employee training keep cockroaches off your space all year round so you can enjoy a clean and hygienic environment.
An off-the-shelf solution from the hardware store may not be enough to get rid of all the pests. The best way to prevent cockroaches from invading your office is to hire a Houston janitorial services company like Accredited Building Services, specializing in commercial or building pest control. We have been in operation since 1980, providing the highest level of professional cleaning and sanitation services for offices in Greater Houston and Beaumont areas. Let us build a custom cleaning plan based on your needs. Get a free quote today.
