Although this bug can give us nightmares, there are still some myths that we can clear up about creepy crawling cockroaches. If you have ever seen a roach in your home, likely a panic will set in and then a wild burst of research to find out all about the enemy. But are they really all that bad, or are they just scary and misunderstood?
Myth #1: Cockroaches are immortal.
False: While it might seem this way at times, there are ways to kill them. Now it can be tricky because they are smart and resourceful. A cockroach can live without its head for a week as they can breathe through other body parts. What makes their breathing a bit wilder, is they can hold their breath for over 40 minutes and under water for about 30 minutes. They will eventually die without food after a month and without water after about a week. Since cockroaches are conniving and persistent to survive, it’s hard to remove every possibility of food and water. We recommend keeping it simple and providing them with something else to eat that will put an end to their days.
Myth #2: Cockroaches are nocturnal.
True: It’s no myth, this is the sad truth! Cockroaches do most of their feasting and breeding at night while you’re sleeping, as they are nocturnal insects. If you catch one during the day it may be a sign you have an infestation as they try to avoid light. You can find roaches hiding in dark and moist places like behind the fridge, under the sink or drain, or really around any major appliances. They can flatten out their bodies and squeeze into some unthinkable locations like a crack in the wall or under a welcome mat. We are not suggesting you stay up all night with night vision goggles to plan your attack, but we do suggest that you place out a TERRO® Roach Magnet® Trap and continue on with a good night's sleep.
Myth #3: They can see me coming…
True: Why yes, they can. Cockroaches can see humans, and that is why they tend to run in fear when we are in their line of sight. The eye of the cockroach is like a compound lens, made of over 2,000 mini lenses that are photoreceptors and allow them to see in complete darkness. If for some reason they don’t see you, they might feel you first. Roaches have tiny hairs on their legs that sense and detect movement.
Myth #4: Cockroaches are clean.
False: Well, there are two parts to this myth but overall, we vote this false. Yes, they can clean themselves up, but they still carry around dirty things. Cockroaches clean their antenna regularly just like we would wash our hair on a daily basis, but as they clean off their bodies everything that comes off goes into the air and onto the floor and walls of your home. They are known for carrying over 33 different strains of bacteria, parasitic worms, and human pathogens. Needless to say if you see any signs of a cockroach infestation, quickly take control of the situation.
Do you have any other questions about cockroaches? There is a lot of information in our Insect Library to help you take on any infestation. Want to join our community? Visit TERRO® on Facebook. For more on fighting pests or to receive exclusive updates on TERRO® products, subscribe to our eNewsletter.
