How can a creature so hated by many survive millions of years and thousands of catastrophic events, and in fact still thrive up to this day? Unfortunately for us humans, cockroaches are probably here to stay way after all of us are gone. They are indeed among the oldest and most resilient creatures on earth, not only because of their physical toughness but also because they are not picky when it comes to food. They feed on anything; from rotten food, feces, dead animals, garbage, and even their dead comrades. They thrive in filth, and whether we admit it or not, we humans provide the perfect environment in which cockroaches thrive.
Should We Be Worried About Cockroaches In Our Homes?
The presence of cockroaches in our homes create unsanitary conditions, and they truly threaten the health of our families. When we ingest food that is contaminated by cockroaches, illnesses or food poisoning could happen to us. Contamination by cockroach is as simple as them crawling on our food. Their filthy habits of eating dirt and living in filth make them natural carriers of bacteria and viruses which they easily pass on to us. Cockroach dropping can also cause asthma.
Cockroaches also spread a wide variety of bacteria. Among these are salmonella, coliform, streptococcus, and staphylococcus. The diseases they spread are also aplenty. They may not be the cause of some of the world’s deadliest diseases, but they are certainly terrible. These include typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, leprosy, and diarrhea.
Cockroaches have mouthparts that have been modified for biting and chewing. Since they are omnivores, this is an important factor in their survival and are a big use to them. Because of this, they are able to feed on anything that they deem of nutritional value to them. We have all probably seen them feeding on meat and vegetables. It also enables them to bite humans and pets, especially if a house is highly infested with roaches already. High cockroach population naturally makes food source scarcer, and so they turn to humans for food. They do not eat humans per se, but rather they eat the food particles stuck on human skin which somehow they are able to detect.
Prevention will always be the best line of defense from getting cockroach borne diseases. One way to do this, of course, is to maintain cleanliness in your home. But of course, if in case you find cockroaches in your house, do not worry. Professionals are always here to help. The best pest control management in North Carolina, Go-Forth Home Services, is just a phone call away.
Why There Are Cockroaches In Our Homes?
There are around 4,600 species of cockroaches that can be found all throughout the world. Fortunately, not all of these species are not pests. Most of them can be found in rainforests, where they are actually beneficial to the ecosystem. Of this number of species, only four can be counted as actual pests in households and commercial buildings in the United States.
These cockroaches enter houses and buildings to look for food, usually at night. They can be best described as scavengers; they feed on food refuse and decaying matter. Unsanitary conditions in our houses can certainly attract these insects.
Describing The Kings Of Filth
Cockroaches are insects if medium size, black to reddish-brown in colour, with flat oval bodies, a pair of long antennae, long and spiny legs, and a tough external exoskeleton. They have wings, but cannot fly long distances. These wings are attached to their second and third thoracic segments. Their legs are attached to their three thoracic segments. They are nocturnal creatures. They have three developmental stages: the egg, nymph, and the adult.
There are around 4,600 species of cockroaches, but here in the United States, there are only four common cockroaches that can be considered household pests: the American cockroach, German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach.
Cockroaches are probably the toughest creatures on earth. They have very tough exteriors, you can actually hear the crunch with a good stomp of the foot. Cockroaches can survive for a month without food and a week without water. They can survive even without their head for one week. They do not need their heads to breathe the air because they have tiny holes throughout their segmented bodies and this is what they use for breathing. They die after a week because they cannot drink without their heads of course. Adult female cockroaches lay hundreds of eggs every year too, virtually ensuring the survival of their species. Another reason why they are such survivors is that their flat, oval bodies can fit into cracks and crevices inside our houses, and they move very fast. When they sense danger, they run fast and quickly hide into these cracks.
Type Of Cockroaches That Are Common In The United States
There are four common types of cockroaches and all four are considered as pests in houses and commercial buildings. These are:
American cockroach - This type of cockroach actually came from the Middle East and Africa, and is said that during the time when trade was done through the sea, they traveled all the way to the United States via ships. The American cockroach is the largest species of common cockroach. Its size is about 4 cm in length and 7 mm tall. They are oval in shape, and are equipped with well-developed wings but are clumsy fliers. American cockroaches like to live in wet and dark places like sewers and pipes in homes and commercial buildings. This type of cockroach is reputed to be one of the dirtiest and is responsible for transmitting diseases like typhoid, amoebiasis, and cholera. An adult female American cockroach can lay as many as 150 eggs per year.
German cockroach - German cockroaches can be recognized by their light brown or tan coloration and two black horizontal stripes at the back of their heads. This type of cockroach is small, about 1.1 to 1.5 inches long. They also have wings but do not fly and prefer to crawl and run. They are commonly found in restaurants and hotels because they like sweet, starchy, and fatty foods. German cockroaches are considered the most troublesome type of cockroaches, so immediate help is needed once you spot one of these in your home. Their diet consists of meat, sugars, starch, fatty foods, and glue.
Oriental cockroach - This is a large species of cockroach. The size of the adult male is 18 to 29 mm, while the female is about 20 to 27 mm. They are considered the filthiest among all the cockroaches. Oriental cockroaches are shiny black to dark brown in color with the glossy body, much darker compared to other cockroaches. They dwell in dirty, dark, damp, and cooler places. You can tell that they are present in your house because they create a strong smell. They travel through sewers, drains, and pipes. Leaking pipes attract them too. They eat garbage and organic material.
Brown-banded cockroach - Brown-banded are Brown-banded cockroaches are one of the smallest yet most invasive of all the cockroaches. These cockroaches measure about 10 to 14 mm long. Its color is tan to light brown. They have two light-colored bands across their wings and abdomen. They are almost the same as the German cockroaches but are a bit smaller. The male cockroaches have wings that cover their abdomen, while the females’ wings do not cover their abdomens entirely. They need warm temperatures to thrive, so they look to our houses for warmth and comfort. They dwell in warm dry places, and they hide their eggs under furniture, clothes, cracks on the floor, or wood. They manage to enter our homes when we bring in furniture or even groceries inside our homes.
If cockroaches are bothering you in your home, then it is time to bring in the best pest control management in North Carolina.
Go-Forth Is Simply The Best
Go-Forth Home Services is a family-owned commercial service solutions provider of modern pest control services and techniques, using the latest and most advanced technology in the business, making our service to you more efficient, safer and more convenient. We have a team of expert professionals who can provide the best pest control services to residents and business establishments all throughout North and South Carolina.
We bring in a new and fresh approach to the pest control industry, using family-friendly and pet-friendly methods of extermination that caters to your specific needs. Our expert experience in exterminating pests like cockroaches, wasps, weevils, mosquitoes, mice, flies, termites, ants, and spiders can really make you say goodbye to these pests in your home. You may check us on Facebook or Google us to see what our satisfied customers have to say about us.
Go-Forth Home Services has earned the trust of residents and businesses in North Carolina for more than 50 years.