Have Cockroaches Really Evolved Into Invincible Creatures?

July 5, 2019


It is everywhere, even the news. Though we all probably know that cockroaches are these hardy, persistent little creatures that are so hard to kill, there is even more evidence cropping up that they might be able to withstand insecticides as well. Indeed it is troubling news, as humans try to one-up cockroaches perpetually.  

Cockroaches Have Thrived In Any Conditions Since The Dinosaur Era

It has often been said that not even a nuclear war can eliminate cockroaches from the face of the earth. They are so hardy and wily that they can survive anything. They can live without food for 1 month and without water for 1 week. Heck, they can even live without their heads for a week!   

They have been around since the dinosaur era and have proven to be survivors. They can withstand even the harshest climate, and have thrived in all parts of the world except for Antarctica. Who knows, had they gotten there, their species might have been able to still adapt.  

We can also credit their survival to the fact that cockroaches eat anything. They are omnivorous and can eat just about anything. They eat both fresh and rotting foods, dead animals and insects, feces, hair, cardboard, paper, old books, paper bags, and even wooden furniture. Then there is that story about losing their heads; roaches do not need their heads to breathe. They have tiny holes all over their bodies and that is where they breathe. The only reason they die without their heads after a week is that they have no way of drinking water. With this great ability to survive, there will definitely outlast us all.

They Are Also Getting Immune To Insecticides

We are all used to killing cockroaches either with a stomping of a foot or using insecticides. However, new studies have emerged saying that using insecticides on them might just only be giving them a nice bath; well they did not say that but they did say that insecticides are starting to become powerless against them.   

A study published in Scientific Reports, cockroaches have over the years developed immunity to insecticides.This is, of course, worrisome, since insecticides have always been the number one tool for cockroach control for many decades now. The same is true with cockroach baits, wherein cockroaches have also developed resistance. It is discovered that roaches can develop immunity within the same generation. There are others that also developed tolerance to insecticides just through getting in contact with the same type of insecticide.  

The study involved testing out three different insecticides. They used abamectin, boric acid, and thiamethoxam. The researchers went to several cockroach-infested homes.  In one treatment, they used all three for three months on a monthly rotation. In another treatment, they used only two insecticides for six months. In the third one, they used only one insecticide. In all three instances, they were not able to reduce the cockroach population. What surprised them was that the number of cockroaches even increased. They also did lab tests to back these studies up and found that cockroaches have become immune to the pesticides too.   

This is not to say that all cockroaches survived the onslaught. In fact, 9 out of 10 perished. But that one cockroach that survived was the one that developed resistance, and that immunity was later passed on to its offspring. Thus all of the next generations of cockroaches are resistant to insecticides. What is worse is cockroaches can have at least 50 offspring during their three-month reproductive cycle, and that causes their numbers to skyrocket.

These studies, basically tell us that we need to be wiser now in trying to combat these pests in our homes. Simply spraying them with insecticides would not cut it anymore. There should always be a combination of newer forms of insecticides, cockroach baits, good sanitation, and a good foot-stomping every now and then to kill them off. And if all these fail, there will always be the best pest control management in North Carolina - Go-Forth Pest Control.

Description Of Cockroaches

There are around 4,600 species of cockroaches throughout the world. Out of this number, there are only 4 that can be considered pests. It is important to note that not all species are pests; in fact, most of the cockroach species are helpful to the ecology since they are food to other helpful creatures as well.

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that are medium in size. They have flat bodies with long antennae attached to their heads and a tough external exoskeleton. They have wings that are attached to their second and third thoracic segments. They have three pairs of sturdy legs that are attached to their three thoracic segments. 

Below is the list of the harmful cockroaches that we all should be wary of.

American cockroach
The American cockroach is the most common species found inside houses and also the largest among all common cockroaches. They did not really originate from America, but instead came from the Middle East and came here from the ships that crossed the seas centuries ago. They are oval in shape and are two inches long. They have well - developed wings, but are clumsy flyers. Adult female cockroaches can have as many as 150 offspring per year. They thrive in dark, wet places like sewers and pipes in homes and commercial buildings. 

German cockroach
These are small cockroaches, about 1.1 to 1.5 inches long, but are considered the most troublesome. These are the ones usually found in restaurants and hotels as they prefer sweet, fatty, and starchy foods. 

Brown-banded cockroach
The brown-banded cockroach is similar to the German but is slightly smaller. They usually dwell in warm dry places, and they hide their eggs under your furniture, clothes, cracks on the floor, or wood. The adult life span is about 200 days. They measure about 10 to 14 mm long, tan to light brown in color, and has two light-colored bands across the wings and abdomen.

Oriental cockroaches
The Oriental cockroach is said to be the filthiest of all cockroaches, and that would definitely say a  lot. They eat like to eat garbage and organic material. Oriental cockroaches are larger and darker compared to other cockroach species. They dwell in dirty, cooler places and create a strong smell. 

Disease carriers

Cockroaches are truly gross, definitely because of their filthy nature. They love to be around the dirtiest places on earth. Because of this habit, they carry with them a lot of bacteria and viruses, particularly in their legs. They are known to transmit diseases like typhoid fever, amoebiasis, cholera, shigellosis, allergies, and asthma. They are more than just nuisance pests.

Control

Aside from using insecticides, you should also do these simple DIY’s to control roaches at home.

  1. Practice good sanitation. Cleaning up around the house is a good deterrent. This will help diminish their numbers.  
  2. Wipe off food and drink spills. Clean stovetops and kitchen sinks. Cockroaches may lap up on these food spills.
  3.  Do not leave unwashed dishes and other kitchen utensils in the sink overnight. 
  4. Put your food inside sealed containers. This will keep your food from being contaminated by cockroaches.  
  5. Seal off cracks, crevices, and holes by caulking. These are possible entry points for the roaches.  
  6. Regularly dispose of your garbage. Put a tight cover on your trash cans. The garbage bins offer a lot of food source for the cockroach.
  7. Take away clutter inside the house, clutter which they can use as hiding places. Do not keep old and useless boxes, cardboard, newspapers, or magazines around the house.
  8. Like we said earlier, you can use cockroach baits and poisons along with the said control measures above.  

If you are simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of roaches in your home, you can always call in professionals to do the dirty work for you. You can enlist the services of the best pest control management in North Carolina, Go-Forth Pest Control.

Go-Forth Is Simply The Best

Go-Forth Pest Control 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 Pest Control has earned the trust of residents and businesses in North Carolina for more than 50 years. For more information, or to set an appointment, just dial 336-841-6111. Our friendly operators are standing by.




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