Have you counted the instances, when you're found your asthmatic child, waking up in the middle of the night, wheezing and struggling to breathe? You would have instantly blamed the attack on various reasons like the winter chill, your pet's body hair, dust and dirt, pollen from flowers etc. However, there prevails an unwanted bed mate for your child, who makes breathing difficult for your children.



We have all witnessed moments of disgust, fear and exasperation over creeping, crawling insects crawling all over the house. Cockroaches are known to trigger asthma attacks.

"Cockroaches carry numerous diseases and replicate in large numbers. There is no such thing as a one-time fix. It is necessary to curb the menace in its infancy and make sure that there is no recurrence of the problem. This is only possible by professional pest management supplemented by proper hygiene and cleanliness., says Nikhil Chatterjee, Vice President - Marketing, PCI.

Cockroaches are reported to spread 33 kinds of bacteria, 6 kinds of parasitic worms and at least 7 other human viral and bacterial pathogens and is significant cause of the alarmingly rise in asthma in urban areas, particularly in children. Their excretions coupled with molted carcasses create a biological dust of protein particles that trigger asthma and allergies.

Insect problems are too big to be solved by a few spring-cleaning sprees. The size and tenacity of insect colonies makes removal time consuming and labour intensive. Their adaptability and numbers make elimination nearly impossible without professional help.

Everyone who owns a dwelling must be vigilant in preventing cockroach infestations, which usually increase as temperatures rise in the summer. Cockroaches thrive in warm, dark, moist places and are most active when temperatures reach 70 degrees and above.

Here are some easy steps to preventing the invasion of these pests.

Ensure that food in the kitchen is stored and properly.

Keep your kitchens and dining areas clean, especially where there are crumbs and trash.

Dispose of garbage daily or more often and store in sealed containers.

Seal cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes.

Keep basements and lofts well-ventilated & dry and prevent accumulation of junk material.

Keep airing your mattresses and other items where your children sleep on.

Change sheets regularly.

Bathe your pets regularly.

Clean and vacuum carpets as often you can, as these are a perfect harbourage for dust, germs and pests.

Avoid drying clothes in the bedroom.

Avoid clutter in the bedroom

Pest Control India (PCI), provides professional help to tackle this menace. One of their varied services, GoldSeal(R) Service is specially designed to tackle common household pests such as cockroaches, ants and silverfish. The treatment consists of advanced Gel bait against cockroaches. It is odourless and convenient, saving you the trouble of vacating the premises during pest control. The Gel is applied in spots near and around areas of cockroach activity. Gel treatment is supplemented by an odourless spray treatment, where required, against ants and silverfish.

If you see any signs of pest activity or suspect you may have a problem in your home, office, warehouse, factory or other premises, please contact PCI immediately. There is no such thing as a single pest, they always live in colonies. If you live in an apartment or in apartments and your neighbors complain of roaches, chances are they'll be invading your home next, if they haven't already. PCI will ensure that your child get his/her beauty sleep everyday.