Why Cockroaches Are More Likely To Invade Your Home If You Have Pets

If you have pets, you risk inviting cockroaches into your home. This is because many pet owners allow free feeding, where their pet's food bowl is left down all day, filled with tasty treats for household pests like cockroaches. On top of that, cockroaches carry a host of diseases, including salmonella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and the polio virus, according to Better Health. The tiny crawling critters can also worsen allergies and asthma, as per the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. As they shed their skin, they can trigger these reactions in sensitive individuals. Their feces and saliva also pose a threat to anyone living with allergies and asthma. 

That said, you should never wait until you see cockroaches near your pet's food before taking steps to deter them, as they rapidly reproduce. Luckily, you can get rid of cockroaches with several preventative measures that can protect you, your family, and your pets from a myriad of diseases. Here's what you need to know about pet food and why cockroaches gravitate toward it. 

It's common for pet parents to leave food out for their furbabies, especially when at work or away for the day. But this is like throwing up the Bat-Signal to cockroaches, omnivorous scavenger pests by nature. Dog and cat food offers all the essential nutrients cockroaches need to grow and thrive, making Fido's lunch the perfect buffet for unwanted pests. As you leave pet food out, cockroaches sense it using their antennae. In other words, any exposed food in your pet's bowl can quickly become contaminated with whatever germs, bacteria, and viruses these unsavory roaches might carry. 

Once infected, your pets can quickly become sick due to contaminated food. They may even ingest a cockroach if it's in their food bowl. This can lead to stomach upset and the possibility of your pet being exposed to parasites, along with harmful bacteria, as per the experts at Top Dog Tips. Additionally, if someone uses insecticide and the cockroach has it on its exoskeleton or in its system, your pet could experience insecticide poisoning. 

After cockroaches finish feasting on your pet's food, they may wander around your kitchen in search of their next meal, meaning any uncovered food on your counters is fair game and up for grabs. Unfortunately, this means you're also susceptible to the same bacteria your pet was exposed to. But you can prevent cockroaches by feeding your pets on a schedule instead of allowing them to feed freely throughout the day. You should also wash their bowls as soon as they finish their meal. After your pet eats, let their bowl soak in vinegar for 15 minutes before rinsing it clean. This is a non-toxic way of disinfecting their food bowls between use and working to deter cockroaches, as per the AKC experts. Plus, try not to leave pet food in the containers it comes in since they often don't seal. Instead, transfer pet food to plastic canisters or bags.

You can also work to prevent cockroaches and other bugs naturally, deterring them with different scents. Unfortunately, things like eucalyptus and lavender — known cockroach repellents — are toxic to pets. Fortunately, you can repel cockroaches with non-toxic scents such as mint. However, steer clear of Pennyroyal (a type of mint), as it's toxic to humans and pets. You can also inspect your home, looking for cracks in the foundation and window screens. If you see any, seal them to help keep unwanted pests away from your home and, more importantly, your pet's food bowl.