Page 80 - GPHS Environmental Public Health Standards (Foundation of Public Health) v1
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The facts about pest contamination
By learning the habits of these pests, including what they like to eat, and where they like to hide, as
well as being able to spot the signs of an infestation.
Cockroaches. Cockroaches pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through
decaying matter or sewage and carry these into food or onto food surfaces, spreading at least 33 kinds of
bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, as well as six kinds of parasitic worms and human pathogens.
In general, cockroaches prefer warm, moist, dark environments.
Signs of an infestation include:
➢ Sightings. Seeing the fast-moving insects themselves as they are usually fleeing to dark areas.
➢ Droppings. These are blunt on the ends with ridges on the sides and are often mistaken for mouse
droppings.
➢ Egg capsules. About eight mm long, dark-coloured, and sometimes glued to a surface near food sources.
➢ Odor. A musty smell produced by pheromones.
