Cockroaches are one of the most common pests of all time. They can be found everywhere from houses to restaurants, movie theatres, and other establishments. Entomologists believe that the era of the cockroach dates back more than 280 million years ago. Over time, they have discovered 4000 species of cockroaches worldwide. This includes the German Cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach, and the American cockroach. Here is a fun fact: Did you know that the American cockroach has a marked attraction to beer? Oddly so, it is attracted to alcoholic beverages, especially those with hops and sugars.
Cockroaches are actually the cousins of termites. Most of its species are about the size of the human thumbnail. However, there are several species that are bigger. For instance, the world’s largest cockroach in South America is approximately 6 inches long with a one-foot wingspan. The common cockroach only grows up to a maximum of 2 inches long.
Lifestyle & Habitat
These creatures are gifted with several adaptation skills. They are known to be among the most primitive and neopteran insects. They are characterized by a relatively small head and a flattened body. Most roaches are reddish-brown to dark brown in color. However, there are also those with light brown colors and pure black.
Cockroaches are also deemed as one of the most hated and most disgusting pests of all time. Reasonable enough, cockroaches appear repulsive. And the worst part is, they bring the greatest number of diseases to the family. Cockroaches like to live in dirty places – this includes drainage pipes and sewers. Some can even be found in dirty canals and garbage cans because this is where they find food and shelter.
Just like ants, roaches are considered as social insects. Most of their species rely on codependence for survival. According to entomologists, cockroaches aggregate because they respond to environmental cues. Scientists refer to this cue as pheromones. This is a scent that insects secrete to signal their comrades. Pheromones are not limited to one particular smell. According to studies, there are hundreds of scents. Each of which has a different meaning. This process can also be seen among bees and ants. They signal their comrades when somebody dies, when their colony is in trouble, when they want to mate, or when they spot something to eat.
There are times when cockroaches need to infest homes. One of the reasons why they are called winter pests is their inability to ward off cold. They cannot survive the winter outdoors even when they stay in huge numbers. Cockroaches need warmth and moist to live. Without it, they cannot withstand the cool temperature. And most of them will have died halfway through winter.
Cockroaches & Their Adaptation Skills
Do you know what I hate most about cockroaches? They are harder to kill than most people realize. I used to think that the local insecticide can efficiently exterminate cockroaches. It turns out they slowly develop tolerance to insecticides. There will come a time when the same brand won’t be as effective anymore.
When I was a child, I used to watch my mom and dad take their heads off. I thought that this method instantly kills cockroaches for good. It turns out I was wrong. Did you know that roaches can still live for another 7 to 10 days without a head? According to entomologists, cockroaches have an open circulatory system that allows them to breathe through tiny holes in each of their body segments. Unlike most insects that rely on their nose, beak, or mouth to breathe, cockroaches have other means of respiration.
Imagine them walking around without any direction. How many bacteria do you think they can spread at their speed of 3 miles per hour? By the way, I would not disregard their offspring as harmless. Just because they are small does not mean that they cannot bring diseases to the family. A one-day-old cockroach can already run as fast as its parents.
I also see people who flush cockroaches down the drain. I used to think that all insects cannot withstand water submersion for more than 5 minutes. But research has proven that cockroaches can survive up to 40 to 50 minutes underwater. Did you know that cockroaches are hydrophilic? They love and need water more than food. They can survive days without any solid food source. But they cannot survive one day without water in their system. Even if you flush them down the drain, they can hold their breath for more than 30 minutes. By that time, they would have reached a dry area or compartment in the sewers. You will only be sending them home.
Get To Know Their Hiding Spots
For the sake of your family, it is best to keep the existence of cockroaches at bay. If you cannot prevent them from coming inside your house, you might as well do the best you can to exterminate them. But before you do that, you need to gain more knowledge about their hiding spots.
Here are some useful facts about their lifestyle:
- Cockroaches love to hide in dark and tight places. Like most pests, cockroaches are cunning. They don’t want anybody to find them. Which is why they love to spend their time in dark and unused areas. They only come out at night when there is nobody awake and nobody could stop them from doing what they want.
- Did you know that cockroaches love cardboard and electronics? To them, these places are ideal for harboring food and reproduction. So, if you want to exterminate cockroaches, check your shoe boxes and other compartments. They must have laid eggs on it while you are away.
- Oddly enough, they also like to hide inside electronic devices. According to entomologists, cockroaches love the heat. It wouldn’t be a surprise they would snuggle inside the TV to get some warmth. However, there are times when this behavior can lead to more danger. As we have discussed, cockroaches are good hoarders of food. Once they bring food crumbs inside the TV, it would be difficult to clean. It will attract ants and mice that can gnaw on your insulators that might cause a short circuit or worse, fire.
- Do not only focus on cockroaches inside the house. Take time to check any roach infestation at your backyard. If you are able to control cockroaches outside your house, there are fewer chances that your house will be infested.
Prevent Roaches From Coming Inside The House
To prevent cockroaches from entering your home, make sure you seal the crevices and holes around your house. Take precautionary measure on the gaps of your doorways, windows, and cabinets. That way, roaches, and other pests will not get in. It also pays off to move shrubs, trees, and mulch away from your house. This prevents roaches from having an all-access ticket to your house. Also, do not forget to secure utility lines, drains, and sewer ventilation. Seal them all properly and make sure no living insect can penetrate it.
The most basic way to prevent roaches and other pests from entering your home is by keeping the house clean. Vacuum and sweep the floors regularly. Wipe the tables and fix the kitchen for any clutters. Wash the dishes right away and cover your utensils properly. Avoid any form of clutter inside your house. Every time you do an activity, make it a habit to clean as you go. This might not kill the existing cockroaches from inside your house. But this will help make sure nothing else will come in.
Call For Professional Help
After the preliminary measures to keep cockroaches out, it is time to call for the local pest exterminator in Mooresville, NC to exterminate cockroaches once and for all. But first, you need to consider several factors in choosing a pest control service. According to experts, you need to consider the knowledge and skill of the exterminators. You also need to consider the safety and risk of the methodologies used. Furthermore, never neglect to think about the affordability and competence of the service.
If you are looking for the best pest control service, you have come to the right place. Lake Norman Home Services is your number one go-to for pest extermination. With the help of their humble professionals, you can eliminate cockroaches in a blink of an eye. Lake Norman Home Services offers a basic service plan that covers the entire house, eliminating all kinds of pests. The best part is, the experts at Lake Norman Home Services pride themselves in using human-friendly and botanical-friendly means of extermination. They are willing to provide all the necessary means of extermination without any additional price!
Professionals usually use cockroach traps so they can congregate. This makes it easier for experts to draw them out. The exterminators usually place the traps under sinks, refrigerators, behind stoves, under the cabinets, compartments, and even the cupboards. These traps are laced with deadly chemicals that kill cockroaches upon contact or ingestion.
For more severe infestations, exterminators use their signature insecticide to do the trick. With their knowledge and skill, it is impossible for them to miss a spot. You don’t have to worry about the plants in your garden. Lake Norman Home Services guarantees the ultimate insecticide that is strictly environmental friendly but cockroach-deadly. In just one quick call, you’ll be having the performance of a lifetime. Sooner than later, you can finally have the pest-free life you deserve. All thanks to Lake Norman Home Services.