Cockroaches Bad For Your Home

Cockroaches & Your Home

Cockroaches are extreme survivors. They’re the oldest surviving insect form on the planet and have been present on Earth for nearly 350 million years.

There are approximately 3500 identified cockroach species that roam the earth. Cockroaches come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors and are found in almost every environment on the planet. The general shape of a cockroach is oval and flat-bodied, which allows them to squeeze into all types of cracks and crevices. There are about 70 different species of cockroaches found in the U.S, some of them right here in Arizona. The majority of cockroaches serve very important ecological roles as scavengers, however, there aresome species that are considered pests and give cockroaches their bad name with humans, including German cockroaches and American Cockroaches.

There are many reasons why roaches are bad roommates for humans. The species of roaches that are considered pests live in or around houses and buildings. Indoors, cockroaches multiply quickly, contaminate many surfaces with their feces and are often found inside kitchen cabinets, helping themselves to your food.

But besides being a nuisance and an all around disgusting little creatures, there are bigger reasons why we need to control cockroaches. Cockroaches have been shown to sometimes carry disease-causing microorganisms on their bodies. Microbes found on cockroach bodies include several types of bacteria, worms, fungi and viruses. While cockroaches have never been linked to the direct transmission of any disease, they can contaminate clean surfaces with these disease-causing microbes.

Another big reason for controlling cockroaches is that they produce several very potent allergens that have been linked to the development of asthma. In fact, cockroaches are the number one cause of allergies among inner city children, and 26% of the US population is said to be allergic to cockroaches. This is why cockroach removal is so important in your Arizona home.

Cockroach Facts

1. Cockroaches Are Lightning Fast

Have you ever turned on the kitchen light and seen how fast cockroaches bolt into hiding? Or maybe you tried to hit one with a shoe but it was just too fast for you. Cockroaches can sense currents of air and use this for detecting any threat that is approaching them. It’s been reported that a cockroach can hit the ground running a mere 8 milliseconds from the time they feel a puff of air. They can hit 80 centimeters a second and reach three miles in about an hour. They also have this ability to switch directions at the drop of a hat.

Did you know: A newborn cockroach, the size of a speck of dust, can run nearly as fast as an adult?

2. Cockroaches Are Super Resilient

As mentioned earlier, cockroaches have been around for a very long time. There are some cockroach species that can endure freezing cold temperatures. If a cockroach loses its head it can still continue to function for a week. This is because cockroaches have an open circulatory system, meaning they have no veins and their organs are all housed within the body cavity. This also means that they don’t bleed out when wounded.

Did you know: A cockroach breathes from spiracles found on the sides of their bodies and can hold its breath for about 40 minutes.

3. Cockroaches Are Small

At two in the morning an encounter with a cockroach may be seen as having come face to face with a massive bug. However, most cockroaches run as small at 5/8 of an inch up to 2 inches. Because of their nimble size they are able to hide in any crevices or cracks available to them.

Did you know: The male of the species has been known to be able to squeeze into a crack as small as 1/16 of an inch (the thickness, in width, of a quarter?)

4. Cockroaches Will Eat Anything

Cockroaches are true scavengers. They favor sugary stuff when they can get it though. Being omnivores, they are attracted to a variety of food. A typical cockroach can survive without feeding for nearly a month. They can also go about 2 weeks without water. This is another reason for their resilience. They have been knows to eat things like glue, leather, and even soap to survive.

Did you know: When in nature the cockroach helps consume organic waste?

5. Cockroaches Are Fast Breeders

A mother cockroach produces eggs which are protected in a capsule of her own making. One female cockroach can have from 6 to 40 eggs per capsule and can produce many capsules through their lifespan. Depending on the conditions of their habitat, a cockroach can take from 6 weeks to a couple of years to become an adult.

Did you know: One female cockroach, along with her many offspring, can have up to 30,000 babies in just a year.

It’s important to eliminate cockroaches from your Arizona home because they can pose health risks to people. They spread disease and can trigger allergic reactions in some, which can complicate things for those who have asthma.

Cockroaches are attracted to food and water and will overrun your home looking for these things. So it’s important to keep food and water sources sealed. If you have pets, don’t leave bowls of food out unless your beloved pet is actually using them. Use air tight containers for storing foods that would otherwise sit in bags in your cupboards, such as flours, rice, and cereals. Make sure you keep your counter tops and sink clean and clear of food and crumbs. Dispose of garbage right away and vacuum often. By practicing some good sanitation you can lessen the chance of a cockroach infestation happening in your home.

If you notice a cockroach, chances are there are many more, and you’ll want to take immediate steps to eliminate cockroaches in your Arizona home. Contact Bug Guardian today for more information and cockroach removal service at (480) 345-2847.

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