Cockroaches Found in Cable Box

CUDAHY, Wis. — A Milwaukee-area family discovered their cable box was being used for more than transmitting their favorite programs to their television set(s) — it turns out the box was providing shelter for German cockroaches.

The family placed a call to television station WISN-12, which then called upon Batzner Pest Management Area Manager Dave Kusnierek for his thoughts on this claim. Kusnierek confirmed it was possible for German cockroaches to live in cable boxes because, as pest management professionals know, they are small insects that seek warm, tight quarters.

Kusnierek told PCT that although it is rare, he has encountered these situations in the past.

“It can happen, especially in situations where cable boxes are in a home with a really severe infestation, then that box is sent back to the cable company and it eventually ends up going to another customer,” Kusnierek said. “Cable companies are doing things to prevent this from happening — some are even building roach-proof boxes — but every once in a while, you will get a case like this where one slips through cracks.”