As a cockroach comes crawling inside a beautiful home, seasoned homeowners know better than to expect that a single spray from a can of insecticide will decimate these pests immediately. Instead, an entire clan of roaches still await their turn to go out and forage for food, your food.
These “unhygienic scavengers in human settlements,” as the World Health Organization likes to call them, seem to be invincible lately. Yes, a few of them may be killed by a stomp of a foot or even a spray of a potent pesticide, but these seem to be a mere band-aid solution to a problem that has been in the making for thousands of years now. Still, for most of us, these stop gap measures seem to be the only weapons we have, and just like in a movie where surprising twists abound, homeowners are left guessing as to its effectiveness.
As residents of Concord know, there are many pest exterminators here that are experts in getting rid of roaches since 1959. That is why a lot of them have resorted to DIY methods. But roaches can be overwhelming for the average person.
So why are roaches so hard to get rid of? Are they creatures from outer space? Is it true that they are zombies? Let Go-Forth Home Services explain to you what cockroaches are, their habits, behaviors, why they are so difficult to eliminate, and we will learn how to get rid of them. So hang on to your seats and let us dig in.
What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are known to be the filthiest creatures on earth. This may sound unfair because not all cockroaches thrive on filth. In reality, most cockroaches live in the forests, where they are working to help the ecosystem. There are around 4,600 identified species of roaches and they are scattered throughout the world. Of this number, only a few live near human dwellings; because they live near humans, they adversely affect daily human activities.
Cockroaches are omnivores, thus their diet consists of anything that they can put in their mouths. They are not choosy; they eat everything. Their menu is so diverse, consider this: fresh food, rotten food, excrement, trash, decomposing dead animals, and their kind. Just imagine the buffet spread that they feast on every night. Roaches are nocturnal creatures by the way.
Indestructible Forces Of Nature
Cockroaches are among the greatest survivors known to man. They have roamed the earth since the Jurrasic era together with the dinosaurs, and while the dinosaurs have become extinct for millions of years now, cockroaches thrive and are even stronger than ever. They will survive any nuclear explosion. Their bodies are built to survive them. Cockroaches can squeeze into cracks and crevices of rocks where they can find protection from the explosion, something almost all creatures on earth cannot do.
They are hardy insects. They can survive without food for one month, and without water for seven days. And here is the clincher: they can live without their heads for a week. They breathe through the tiny holes found across their body segments. They die after one week because, well, they cannot drink water.
Lately, studies by scientists show that cockroaches are developing immunity from pesticides. This will make matters worse; we cannot just depend on our slippers alone.
Scientific Reports reported that cockroaches have developed resistance to insecticides. Aside from that, they have also developed immunity from cockroach baits. The same report said that roaches can develop immunity within the same generation. Others also developed tolerance to insecticides just through getting in contact with the same type of insecticide.
In the study, scientists tested pesticides on cockroaches. There were 9 out of 10 roaches that perished, and the one cockroach that survived was the one that developed resistance, and that immunity was later passed on to its offspring. Thus all of the next generations of cockroaches are resistant to the insecticides. Imagine 50 new offspring that are pesticide-resistant!
The study tells us that we cannot just rely on cockroach sprays to get the job done for us. Simply spraying them with insecticides would not cut it anymore. There should always be a combination of newer forms of insecticides, cockroach baits, and good sanitation to protect us from these pests.
Cockroaches And The Risks To Our Health
Cockroaches love to live dirty. They like to live in garbage bins, trash cans, and sewers because that is where they get their food and water. Due to their filthy habits, roaches pick up lots of bacteria and viruses, and this makes them disease vectors.
Roaches have been known to play a role in the spread of diseases like dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. They contaminate food and water through their droppings, urine, saliva, and vomit. Simply crawling on our food also transmits diseases.
These insects are also one of the primary sources of allergens due to the enzymes coming from their droppings, eggs, saliva, and body shreddings. Research shows that the majority of homes in the United States have cockroach allergens.
They are also a nuisance. Cockroach legs are rough and with spines. It can cause painful scratches on people and can cause infections due to the bacteria they carry in their legs.
If you are a business owner, a cockroach infestation is one of the things you should avoid. The presence of cockroaches in businesses, especially those that belong to the food industry, can bring a business down—your business. A few pictures here and there with cockroaches crawling on tables or food preparation surfaces posted on social media will adversely impact your business and give you PR nightmares. Aside from that, local authorities might also order your closure.
Types Of Cockroaches
As we have mentioned, not all cockroaches are pests. There are a few species that are pests, however. Below is a list of the top four species that you would normally encounter.
American Cockroach
This type of cockroach is the most common species found inside houses. It is also the biggest in this group. Naming them “American” is a misnomer because they came from the Middle East’ arriving here through ships that crossed the seas centuries ago. American cockroaches are oval and are two inches long. They have wings that are well-developed but are clumsy flyers. Adult female cockroaches can have as many as 150 offspring per year. They thrive in dark, wet places like sewers and pipes in homes and commercial buildings. They also thrive in garbage bins and trash. They enter houses through cracks, crevices, and holes around the house.
German Cockroach
These are small cockroaches, about 1.1 to 1.5 inches long, but are considered the most troublesome among cockroaches. These are the ones usually found in restaurants and hotels as they prefer sweet, fatty, and starchy foods. They enter business establishments by hitchhiking on delivered packages.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
In terms of appearance, the brown-banded cockroach is similar to the German, only smaller. They usually dwell in warm dry places, and they hide their eggs under furniture, clothes, cracks on the floor, or wood. Its life span is around 200 days. They can grow to about 10 to 14 mm long, tan to light brown, and have two light-colored bands across the wings and abdomen.
Oriental Cockroaches
The Oriental cockroach is the dirtiest of all cockroaches. They like to eat garbage and organic material. Oriental cockroaches are larger and darker compared to other cockroach species. They dwell in dirty, cooler places and create a strong smell.
Ways To Control Roaches
Instead of spraying, try these tips on how to control roaches on your home.
1. Practice good housekeeping. Sweep and mop the floors and vacuum carpets and furniture.
2. Wipe off drink spills and food debris.
3. Store food in sealed containers.
4. Seal cracks, crevices, and holes around the house as these can be used as entry points.
5. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your house. These are made from fossilized remains of diatoms and look like microscopic shards of broken glass. When crawled on, it inflicts small cuts on the roaches’ bodies, causing them to bleed to death.
6. Place a lid on your trash cans and properly dispose of your garbage regularly.
7. Always wash used dishes and never leave them there overnight.
If you already have cockroach infestation problems and you are overwhelmed by it, then it is time to call for professional help. For the best pest control management in North Carolina, call Go-Forth Home Services.
Having roaches in the house can be worrisome. It can affect you and your family in every aspect of your lives. They can affect your health, your property, and your wellbeing. Living with them is not an option. Say goodbye to roaches with the help of Go-Forth Home Services.
For more information, call us now. Our friendly operators are standing by.