Cockroaches: some can’t wait to kill them, others want to eat them!  Seeing the little critters sends some people into hysterics. While for others, they are fascinating creatures which are sometimes kept as pets, or served as appetizers. Okay, the latter doesn’t happen too often, but it does happen, as you will see. All Pest Control, a Portland pest control company, would like to share some information about Cockroaches. 

 

Most people are aware that Cockroaches have been around since the beginning of time. They have become quite adaptable, and are very hard to eliminate. Here are some interesting (and sometimes very disturbing) facts about Cockroaches.

 

Photo Credit: All Pest Control Company 

 

You’ve been warned. These facts are not for the easily squeamish. They are, however, some very fascinating facts about a critter roamed the earth with the dinosaurs, and still roam today. 

 

•  Cockroaches can hold their breath for over a half hour. Yes, it is very difficult to drown a cockroach. Many people, when seeing them in a sink, will turn on the water and wash them down the drain. Guess what? They climb right back up. 
• Cockroaches can live for a month without food, and two weeks without water. 
• Cockroaches can live for over a week without their head. (I warned you!)
• Some Cockroaches have the ability to fly
• Cockroaches shed their external skeletons several times throughout their lives. (See picture)
• There are over 5,000 species of Cockroaches worldwide
• Some types of Cockroaches can grow to over 6″ long
• Cockroaches are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world
• Cockroaches can run at about 3 miles per hour. 

Picture of Ecdysis
thanks to Psychonaught from Wikimedia Commons and Ookaboo!

All Pest Control Company, a Portland pest control business, offers this additional information about the cockroach. Most people believe that roaches are more active at night. The truth is, they become adapt to the activity in the household in which they live. They learn when the normal sleeping hours are for the human, and that is when they come out. If the people in the home tend to sleep during the day, that is when the roaches will be most active. They do not actually a brain, but they are very instinctive. 

 

In some cultures, ground cockroaches are applied to a wound to stop the pain. In America, we have been conditioned at a young age to dislike cockroaches, and most people just want to get rid of them. It is interesting, however, to view the roach from another cultural standpoint. They are actually very clean creatures, and clean each other regularly. They can, however, carry diseases.

 

Ridding a  home of roaches can be difficult. Boric acid is one method that does work quite well. It must be applied throughout the home, even in the attic and basement, and it takes a couple of weeks to work. You must also watch that pets and children do not get into the powder after it is applied. 

 

Some companies, such as All Pest Control Company, can sometimes offer a safer alternative than some of the more caustic substances used. This depends on the type and size of the infestation, but it is worth asking about, particularly if there are pets or children in the home. 

 

Following are more informative videos about the ever fascinating cockroach. Enjoy!