Most homeowners are aware of the health and safety risks associated with cockroach infestations, including allergies and asthma caused by cockroach allergens and the germs and bacteria they are known to spread.
What may not be as widely known is the fact that cockroaches are a very interesting and persistent pest that exhibits very strange behavior and survival tactics. For example, cockroaches spend 75% of their time dormant and can withstand temperatures up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit!
Fact number one.
A cockroach can live for a week without its head. Because of their open circulatory system and the fact that they breathe through small holes in each of their body segments, they do not depend on their mouth or head to breathe. A cockroach only dies because without a mouth it cannot drink water and dies of thirst.
Fact number two.
A one-day-old cockroach can run almost as fast as its parents. For the record, these babies are the size of a speck of dust! So not only are they fast, but also elusive, which is a dangerous combination for pests known to carry various diseases.
Fact number three.
Cockroaches can go one month without food. Cockroaches can go that long without food because they are cold-blooded insects. However, they can only survive for one week without water, so they can usually be found in damp or highly humid areas around the house, such as basements and bathrooms.
Fact number four.
Cockroaches are excellent swimmers. A great example of how cockroaches have managed to survive for centuries is that they are incredibly good at holding their breath. Even when completely submerged, they can survive for half an hour before dying.
Fact number five.
Cockroaches shed their exoskeleton. Cockroach larvae hatch from eggs as fully formed tiny copies of their parents. As it grows, the nymph sheds its exoskeleton many times before reaching adult size. For this reason, if you have a cockroach infestation, you may find broken roach legs and various body parts in places frequented by cockroaches.
Fact number six.
Cockroaches multiply quickly. One aspect of why cockroaches are considered pests is that they reproduce very quickly. One female cockroach lays hundreds of eggs during her life, averaging 30 eggs per month during her peak. If a cockroach is comfortable in your home, it can quickly become a much more serious problem, so it’s important to go through the cockroach removal process as early as possible.
Fact number seven.
There are over 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world. Although there are many species, only about 30 are known to harm humans. The most common home invaders in the United States are the German, American, brown-striped, smoky-brown and oriental cockroach.
Fact number eight.
Most cockroaches remain hidden to the eye. Cockroaches are nocturnal and spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices. If you spot one or two cockroaches, chances are you have hundreds living in a hidden nest. If you find cockroaches, you need to act quickly to keep them from multiplying.
Fact number nine.
Cockroaches are very strong insects. Cockroaches have a tough exoskeleton that protects them. They can withstand forces 900 times their own weight. They can also shrink their body to fit into a small space. Some cockroaches can regenerate limbs, so getting rid of them is even harder.
Fact number ten.
Female cockroaches can reproduce without males. Cockroaches can reproduce very quickly, leading to large infestations. Sometimes female cockroaches can reproduce without males. This has been observed in some species, such as the American cockroach. This process is known as parthenogenesis.
World Pest Control Day is celebrated annually on June 6 to raise awareness about effective pest control methods and how they improve the quality of human and plant life. Did you know that humans have been fighting pest infestations since 3000 B.C.? Pests are organisms that spread disease, cause destruction or are a nuisance.
Familiar pests include ants, rodents, termites, cockroaches, mosquitoes and bed bugs. A variety of methods are used to control pests, including pesticides, biological control agents, electronic devices, and physical means. World Pest Day, also known as World Pest Control Day, is an initiative of the China Pest Control Association.
