Fascinating Roach Facts
As most homeowners are aware there are a variety of health and safety risks associated with roach infestations. These include allergies, asthma triggered by cockroach allergens, and the germs and bacteria cockroaches are known to spread. What may not be as widely known is that roaches are a very resilient pest in large part due to their odd behaviors and survival tactics. For instance, cockroaches spend 75% of their time at rest and can withstand temperatures as cold as 32 degrees Fahrenheit! Whew! That’s chilly!
Let’s see what other fascinating facts about roaches you may not know.
A COCKROACH CAN LIVE FOR A WEEK WITHOUT ITS HEAD
Because of their open circulatory system, and the fact that they breathe through little holes in each of their body segments, they do not need their mouth or head to breathe. The roach only dies because it can’t drink water without a mouth, and dies of thirst. Okay, so this one is a little creepy right? Nobody wants to think about zombie roaches.
A COCKROACH CAN HOLD ITS BREATH FOR 40 MINUTES
They hold their breath often to help regulate their loss of water. These pests can even survive being submerged under water for half an hour. Did somebody say freediver?
THEY CAN RUN UP TO THREE MILES AN HOUR
While this may seem like an impressive athletic ability, what it really means is that they can spread germs and bacteria throughout a home very quickly.
NEWBORN GERMAN COCKROACHES ONLY TAKE 36 DAYS TO BECOME ADULTS
Can you imagine having kids that grow up that fast? In fact, the German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches and has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people.
A ONE-DAY-OLD BABY COCKROACH CAN RUN ALMOST AS FAST AS ITS PARENTS
This may sound crazy, but it’s true! While these babies are about the size of a speck of dust that doesn’t slow them down! So, not only are they fast, but they are also elusive, which is a dangerous combination.
THE AMERICAN COCKROACH HAS SHOWN AN ATTRACTION TO ALCOHOL
Maybe you enjoy a nice drink from time to time. Apparently some roaches do too! Similar to other pests, this cockroach species is drawn to some alcoholic beverages, especially beer. They are most likely attracted by the hops and sugar present in the drink.
THE WORLD’S LARGEST ROACH IS 6 INCHES LONG!
To some this may sound like a creepy crawly nightmare. Thankfully this roach is in South America so you can breathe a sigh of relief. This species also has a one-foot wingspan. Remember, the average cockroaches can vary in size from ½”- 2″ long.
COCKROACHS ARE REALLY OLD
If you as a toddler, old might mean like 20 or 30 years old, but roaches are believe to be a lot older. It is theorized that cockroaches originated more than 280 million years ago in the Carboniferous era.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 4,000 DIFFERENT COCKROACH SPECIES WORLDWIDE
The most common species is the German Cockroach. Others found in America include the brown-banded cockroach, American cockroach and oriental cockroach.
COCKROACHES CAN LIVE WITHOUT FOOD FOR ONE MONTH
Because they are a cold-blooded insect they are able to survive for what seems like an impossible amount of time without food. Although this is the case with food, roaches cannot survive more than a week without water which is why they are commonly found in humid or high-moisture areas.
After reading some of these wild facts about cockroaches, it makes you wonder what other special abilities they may have that are yet to be discovered. It also reinforces the fact that pest control and prevention is an essential part of protecting your family from potential health hazards lurking in your home.