On behalf of Law Office of Paul Mankin posted in blog on Friday, September 8, 2017.

There are certain critters and creatures you never want to see in the place you call home, and cockroaches tend to rank high on the list. In addition to their unsightly, unsettling appearance, cockroaches can actually impact your health negatively, so it is in your best interest to have them removed from your home as quickly as possible while taking strides to keep them out for good.

Common grounds for cockroaches 

If your apartment or rental home has cockroaches, you will most likely encounter them in the kitchen or bathroom, as they gravitate to areas where food and moisture are plentiful. You may also be more likely to find them in your home if you live in a multi-unit apartment building, because an infestation in one apartment can quickly spread to others in the same building.

Health concerns

While cockroaches are unappealing and often smelly, they can also impact your and your family's health. Often, people who are exposed to cockroaches in the home complain of symptoms including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal distress. Many people with allergies are also sensitive to cockroaches and the debris they leave behind, which can lead to asthma attacks, particularly among children. This is primarily the case because younger children are more likely to spend considerable time indoors where they exposed regularly to cockroach antigen and other allergens.

Eliminating cockroaches

If you are a renter and find evidence of cockroaches in your home, contact your landlord immediately. He or she has a duty to remove them promptly and efficiently. In the meantime, you can take steps to reduce their reappearance by promptly cleaning up food and dishes, seeing that any leaky pipes or fixtures are repaired and reducing clutter in your home in areas cockroaches may like to hide.

Eliminating cockroaches is crucial, but so is preventing them from coming back. Talk to your landlord about a plan to remove them from your home once and for all.