I hate them. You hate them. We all hate them. You know you do. No, I am not talking about the Police Academy movies.
There is perhaps no living thing on earth more reviled than the cockroach. These pesky insects can make a grown man or woman scream, tremble and run for cover. Frankly, they have no redeeming qualities and most people just want them eradicated.
Based on fossil evidence, cockroaches have lived on Earth for more than 300 million years, or as long as gas prices have been on the rise. Their sizes vary considerably, with some species growing up to several inches long.
There are approximately 4,000 – 7,500 species of cockroaches worldwide and approximately 60 species are found in the United States. They are in nearly every part of the world, in a wide range of habitats. Unfortunately, many of the biological characteristics that make them so successful also make them one of the most difficult pests to manage.
Cockroaches, especially the German cockroach, are the most commonly encountered household insect pests in much of the United States. However, only a few of the cockroach species found in the United States routinely enter and infest our dwellings. In addition to the German cockroach, the most common of these found throughout America are the American cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, the Smokey Brown cockroach, the Australian cockroach and the Florida Wood cockroach.
These six species represent the majority of all cockroach infestations in and around buildings. In some parts of the U.S., one species may be more prevalent than the others. Other species may infest homes or other buildings, but will generally be localized. Some will exist under unusual circumstances such as inhabiting ant, wasp, termite colony nests, caves, animal burrows, and even mines.
Because cockroaches contaminate food with their excrement, as well as emitting an unpleasant odor, these insects are considered by homeowners and entomologists to be among the worst household pests, even worse than your in-laws.
Many of the environmental requirements of cockroaches (high humidity, warmth and food sources) can be found in a typical home. Cockroaches evolved as scavengers feeding off decaying plant materials, and they will readily feed on carbohydrates. But they will also feed on a variety of other foods, including paints, wallpaper pastes and book bindings. Homes also provide shelter and a multitude of warm and humid niches.
Some of my suggestions for dealing with cockroaches include:
- Cutting down on their food supply by sweeping the floor after every meal and keeping trash in a tight-lidded container
- Drying up their water supply by fixing dripping faucets and not overwatering houseplants.
- Keeping them out of your home by sealing common roach entryways and caulking cracks around windows and doors
Do you freak out when you see a cockroach? Have you ever stayed at a roach motel? Let’s hear about a scary encounter you’ve had with this reviled pest.
Barry The Bug Guy
