Jan 24, 2017, 10:25 AM by Fred Speer

The Clark Man has long been an advocate of preventive pest management. The idea behind this is to protect families from threats brought on by exposure to pests or the bacteria they carry. A recent study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology supports this approach.

The Clark Man has long been an advocate of preventive pest management. The idea behind this is to protect families from threats brought on by exposure to pests or the bacteria they carry. A recent study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology supports this approach.

The study – which followed 102 children with moderate to severe asthma living in greater New Orleans – found that by putting cockroach bait traps in the kitchen, living room and child’s bedroom every two to three months, the amount of pests was reduced significantly, and the children had almost 50 fewer days with asthma symptoms in a year.

Cockroach saliva and droppings, and the decomposing bodies of these pests, contain proteins known to trigger allergies and increase the severity of asthma symptoms, especially in children.

The study stated: “Cockroach exposure is an important contributor to asthma disparities.” For children living in the inner city, being exposed to cockroaches regularly can trigger their asthma and reduce their quality of life.

Children in homes being treated in the study had better health outcomes and, on average, they had 47 fewer days with asthma symptoms over the course of a year. Conversely, children with a cockroach allergy in untreated homes were significantly more likely to miss school and have unscheduled emergency department visits. To read the entire study results, visit http://bit.ly/2kkE1lU

The Clark Man encourages homeowners to take proactive steps to prevent household cockroach infestations. To help keep these unwanted pests out of your family’s living space and keep your family healthy and safe, here are a few cockroach prevention tips:

• Seal cracks around the outside of your home – e.g., along the foundation, around doors and windows and dryer vents – to deny cockroaches (and other pests) access
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture frequently to remove potential threats
• Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs that can attract pests
• Empty garbage cans regularly and dispose of the bags properly.
• Remove sources of excess moisture in your home, like leaky faucets and pipes, which could attract cockroaches

If you have concerns over cockroaches or other pests that threaten your home, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339). or drop us an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.