Cockroaches belong to the insect family that also includes termites, which are called “Blattodea”, and there are about 30 known species of cockroaches. The cockroach’s color varies from dark red to dark brown and its body’s shape is flat oval.
Characteristics Of Cockroaches
A common cockroach has an average measurement of 4 centimeters in length and 7 millimeter tall. Female cockroaches are generally bigger than male cockroaches. They are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plants and animals.
Cockroaches are mostly active at night and prefer to stay in a dark, warm, and moist places. Some people may notice that if they drown cockroaches in toilet bowls, they still move and kick. This is because they can survive in water for about 40 minutes. They are mostly found in kitchens, comfort rooms, under beds, sinks, and storage areas such as cabinets, drawers, and boxes. They can run extremely fast and some of their species even can fly. They have an oily, pungent smell, and have an average lifespan of approximately 1 year.
Why Roaches Can Be Dangerous
Cockroaches do not normally bite humans. They may only bite humans if food is scarce. Areas affected by a roach bite may result in a red, swollen, and itchy bump that can last up to a week. Allergic reactions and/or infections may happen if you have a weak immune system or other health conditions. Other people who have weak immune system and/or allergies may react to simple skin contact with roach.
These people may experience watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, and difficulty in breathing. Cockroaches spread 33 kinds of bacteria. Eating food contaminated by a cockroach is worse than having direct contact with one because most of the diseases that they carry affect the digestive system. Food contamination may cause poisoning (salmonella), cholera, staph infection, asthma, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and polio.
Effective Roach Control Methods
Sanitation – keep your kitchen clean, wash all dishes immediately after every meal, and store food and utensils properly. Also, avoid bringing food inside your living room and bedroom, tie garbage bags tightly, and take the trash out of your house regularly. Fix holes – damages in your home like holes and cracks are where cockroaches can enter. Fix water leaks – cockroaches are attracted to moisture. They can live without food for a month, but a week without water will eventually kill them. Pesticides – one of the most effective roach control methods.
Many spray pesticide brands are exclusively made for cockroach. Once you spray these products directly on roaches they die in seconds. Fabric Softener – if you are trying to avoid using pesticides, fabric softener may be a good substitute. Fabric softener is best to spray directly at a cockroach. It is believed to work by blocking the skin pores and suffocating the roaches. It may take more time to work and may not be that effective compared to pesticides. Roach Trap – this can be effective when placed in dark, hidden areas such as cabinets, drawers, and boxes. Placing this product in an exposed lighted area may not work.