Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in homes and businesses, but there’s still a lot to learn about these little critters. And with all the myths floating around, it can be hard to know what’s real and what isn’t. To help clear up some confusion, we’re busting some of the most common cockroach facts—and determining which are just plain false.
All cockroaches are not created equal.
While cockroaches are often associated with filth and disease, this is not the case for all of them. There are over 4,000 species of cockroach in the world; only about 30 species are considered pests. Some of the largest roaches can be found in Central and South America and Africa, where they live on land or underwater. The smallest roaches (sometimes called water bugs) live in watery environments like ponds, lakes and streams.
It’s likely that you’ll find one type of pest at home while another type shows up elsewhere—like when you’re eating at a restaurant or lounging at your friend’s house. That’s because different breeds have different habitats: Some are more likely to infest houses while others like hanging out outside during warm weather months; some spend their time indoors while others prefer staying outdoors year-round.
Cockroaches may be more dangerous than you think.
Cockroaches are a common household pest, and they’re often treated as though they’re harmless. However, there’s a lot more to the story than most people realize.
You may already know that cockroaches carry disease-causing germs on their bodies, which can make you sick if you touch them or inhale their droppings. You might not realize that roach allergens can cause asthma attacks in children and adults who have existing asthma symptoms. These allergens also cause allergic reactions in some individuals who don’t have asthma but do react negatively to cockroach exposure.
Cockroach droppings contain bacteria that cause food poisoning; some types of these bacteria are very dangerous for both children and adults alike because they produce toxins that affect how our bodies work.[7]
Cockroaches are hard to kill.
Cockroaches are notorious for their ability to survive almost anything. They’re fast, they can go weeks without food or water, and they can squeeze through tiny spaces the size of a quarter. Cockroaches are also hard to kill because they are small and tend to hide in dark places that aren’t easily accessible—behind appliances or inside walls where pesticides cannot reach them.
But even though killing cockroaches is challenging, you can take steps to make sure that your home is as uninviting as possible for these pests (and other insects). If you have found yourself with a cockroach infestation in your home or apartment building, read on for some tips on how best to deal with these pesky critters!
Some cockroaches can fly.
Some cockroaches can fly.
This is a fact that most people don’t know, and it’s something to keep in mind if you ever spot one of these pests flying around your living room. Cockroaches don’t fly often, but they do have the ability to do so when they feel threatened or startled. This can happen when someone comes into their space unexpectedly or if they are being chased by a predator (like you). If you notice one of these little critters suddenly take off into the air, try not to jump and scream as if it were an alien invasion—you’ll only scare the roach more and cause it to fly away even faster!
Roaches crawl over your food at night looking for a meal, right?
It’s a common myth that cockroaches crawl over your food, looking for a meal. While they will eat anything that is not sealed or wrapped, they do prefer to stay out of sight, especially when there’s light. Cockroaches are nocturnal and will hide during the day in dark places like under appliances, behind baseboards and inside cabinets—and nowhere near your dinner plates!
Another myth about roaches is that they need to eat every day. In fact, it’s possible for them to go weeks without eating if necessary! Roaches can survive several months without water and up to two years without food (but who would want them living in their home?).
Cockroaches have been around a long time. Like, longer than dinosaurs.
Cockroaches have been around for 300 million years, which makes them older than dinosaurs. They have survived through 5 mass extinctions and are the only insects that can live without water for a week.
Cockroach poop is everywhere.
Cockroaches are carriers of bacteria and other germs, which can spread diseases such as salmonella and tuberculosis. They’re also linked to asthma attacks, because cockroach poop has been shown to trigger allergic reactions in humans. While allergies may not be life-threatening, they can be very uncomfortable and annoying—and the only way to avoid them is by staying away from the offending substances that cause them!
The best way to avoid getting sick from cockroach poop (or any other kind of critter waste) is through proper cleaning practices: washing your hands with soap after touching anything that might contain these pathogens will help keep you healthy! Make sure you clean all surfaces thoroughly with a disinfectant too; this will help prevent any germs from spreading throughout your home.
Baby roaches can survive without food or water for as long as two weeks.
Baby roaches are known as nymphs. Baby roaches can survive without food or water for as long as two weeks, which is an impressive feat! Most insects need to be fed every few days, but baby roaches are different. They’ve survived this long without any nutrients from their mother’s body. This makes them one of the most resilient bugs on earth when it comes to surviving without food or water.
Baby roaches can live for a month without air too! They get oxygen through their spiracles—tiny holes near their mouths that allow them to breathe in air when necessary (like when they’re drowning). It takes about five minutes for a baby roach cut off from air before it dies, but if it has access to enough oxygen its metabolism will slow down so much that it doesn’t need food or water for weeks at a time!
Finally—if all else fails—baby roaches can live up to seven days with no head! It sounds unlikely (and kind of gross), but some scientists have seen this happen in experiments where they decapitated baby cockroaches and saw how long they lived after losing their heads.
Know what you’re dealing with when confronting a roach infestation.
Cockroach facts and myths
- Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in the world. There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches found on every continent except Antarctica.
- In the United States alone, there are about 40 different species of roaches that can be found in homes and businesses, with German and American cockroaches being among the most common household pests in America today.
- German cockroaches are one of the worst types you can encounter because they reproduce rapidly — laying up to 50 eggs at a time — which means an infestation can quickly get out of hand if left untreated for too long or not treated properly throughout its lifespan (up to two years).
Conclusion
The bottom line is that cockroaches are everywhere and they’re hard to get rid of. They’re sneaky, resilient, and just plain gross. That said, there’s no need to panic if you find one in your home—just be careful not to let them spread their eggs or feces around your house. If you have any questions about how to deal with an infestation or think you have one on your hands already, contact a professional pest control company like Terminix® today!
Leave a Reply