Cockroaches are the oldest living insect known to man… Dating as far back as 5 million years… That’s a long time!
They are the most adaptable and resilient insect on the planet.
While they are considered “dirty” insects, that may not always be the case… Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want them in or around your home, but here are a few facts about roaches and a few debunked myths.
- Roaches can survive up to 40 minutes under water
- This is because they have the ability to control their breathing patters.
- Roaches can live up to 2 weeks without a head
- This is because they have multiple ganglia or nerve cells that can control their body even without a head
- Cockroaches are nocturnal
- Cockroaches, similar to cats, clean themselves daily
- HOWEVER, they tend to live in filthy environments where germs and bacteria will stick to their feet and be transferred around their (or your) living corridors. So while “they” may be clean, they aren’t keeping you or your home clean.
- They are perfect scavengers
- Crawling through garbage and sewers and eating absolutely anything they find to survive.
- They often live in sewer systems and gain access to homes and businesses by travelling up through drains.
- Cockroach droppings, saliva and their decomposing bodies contain allergen proteins which can cause health issues, specifically childhood breathing issues such as asthma.
- 33 kinds of bacteria are known to be spread by cockroaches, including food borne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella, 7 kinds of human pathogens and 6 types of parasitic worms.
Now… Knowing these facts… Here are some signs that you may have a cockroach issue:
- Sighting of cockroaches at night
- Sighting of cockroaches during the day (This is common with larger infestations)
- Sighting of cockroach bodies
- Cockroach droppings (These will resemble black pepper or coffee grinds and are usually found in dark spaces such as behind stoves/fridges)
- Musty or oily smell (This is a common sign of a very large infestation)
If you think you have a cockroach issue, it is definitely best to leave it to the professionals to take care of.
Please contact us anytime and we will happily take care of the issue for you!