Identifying and exterminating cockroaches as quickly as possible is important. Cockroaches are sneaky and hard to find which is bad because in addition to having an appetite for eating almost anything, including decaying food you might have in the trash, they also carry lots of germs that can lead to human health problems. Cockroaches may carry bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. They can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks if left untreated.