The German cockroach is a highly pestiferous insect that produces asthma-inducing allergens, and is closely associated with areas of human habitation. As such, the German cockroach is transported through human activities, such as food and equipment dispersal. In connected apartments and buildings, German cockroaches can also move between units, making control difficult in heavy infestations. It has previously been shown that the bacterial flora transmitted by German cockroaches presents a serious epidemiological problem for human health and well-being, especially to those living in low-income housing. Because German cockroaches are able to vector antibiotic-resistant bacteria, its presence must be controlled to reduce the threat of bacterial contamination in hospitals and swine farms. |
