Crazy But True Facts About Cockroaches
The nightmare of any homeowner, just the name “cockroach” is enough to instill fear in us. Cockroaches are just one of many spring pests emerging and in search of food and shelter. But cockroaches are not like other insects. They are smart, fast, and have adapted in ways that no other creature on the planet has. So sit back and learn a few crazy facts about cockroaches.
Part of the reason cockroaches have been able to adapt so well is that they have had much more time on this planet than most other species. Three hundred and eighty million years, to be exact. Over the millennia, cockroaches have been able to adapt to many changes in the food chain and the climate, which is why they have become famously hard to kill.
Cockroaches Can Fit in Tiny Spaces
They don’t look like it, but cockroaches are extremely flexible. They can spread their legs and flatten their exoskeletons to limbo their way through tiny gaps and spaces a quarter of their size.
Of the four thousand different species of cockroaches in the world, only ten of them live near humans. Cockroaches can be found on all continents except Antarctica and come in many sizes. The smallest cockroach is only ½ inch while the largest is 4 inches with an 8-inch wingspan. Don’t worry. It only lives in South America.
Roaches Can Stay Fertile
One of the most fascinating adaptations roaches have made is the ability of the female to store sperm indefinitely. A female cockroach needs to mate just once, and she can fertilize all of her eggs for the rest of her life. Good for the female, bad for the male.
Cockroaches Can Survive Without Eating for a Long Time
Cockroaches are cold-blooded insects, which means they don’t need to eat as much as warm-blooded animals. In fact, roaches can live up to an entire month without food. After that, they will turn into cannibals and feed on each other in order to ensure the survival of the species.
Roaches Can Live Without Their Head
Cockroaches have adapted to many things, but one of their strongest attributes is being able to live without their head for weeks. This is because their control centers are not in their brain, and they have an open circulatory system where they breathe through small holes in each segment of their body. During which, a headless female can still lay her eggs and ensure the next generation. The only reason the roach dies without its head is because of dehydration.
Now that you know how cockroaches are some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet, you can understand why controlling cockroaches is so difficult. The best way to keep roaches out of your home is to make it unattractive by storing food in sealed containers, sweep the floor in the kitchen regularly, and take out the garbage regularly. Be sure to check and seal all cracks and holes in and around your home, including around utilities and pipes. Keep your basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
Call The Professionals at Custom Personalized
Even though cockroaches are fascinating, they can still pose a health threat to you and your family in the form of allergies and asthma. If cockroaches have made their way into your home, call the professionals at Custom Personalized . We don’t just create beautiful lawns with our lawn care program , we protect them too. With our perimeter pest control program , we can make sure cockroaches, and many other pests steer clear from your home.
Call (800) 570-3313 today and ask about our or leave a message on our site. Follow our blog for more helpful lawn care tips.
