Finding one of these repulsive pests in your bathroom or kitchen is not good news. Where there’s one cockroach, there are usually more, especially since female cockroaches don’t need a mate to reproduce. So, if you’ve spotted cockroaches in or around your residence, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted pest control expert. If you need more motivation to contact an exterminator, just read the following cockroach facts.
Cockroaches are One of the Fastest Insects on the Planet
The average walking pace for a person is 2.5 to 4 mph. Cockroaches can scurry at speeds of 3 or more miles per hour and won’t hesitate to run or fly at you to create an opening for their escape. Another good reason to avoid coming into contact with this pest, aside from their general repulsiveness, is as they are proven or suspected carriers of the bacteria that cause dysentery, typhoid fever, Salmonellosis, and cholera.
They are Nearly Indestructible
Being whacked with a pair of sneakers or a thick newspaper isn’t enough to take out this armored pest. Cockroaches’ exoskeletons are exceptionally durable and flexible to the point where they can withstand force equivalent to 900 times their own body weight and flatten themselves to fit through crevices. If you’ve discovered a cockroach infestation in your residence, don’t try to get rid of them on your own. Effectively eliminating an infestation is nearly impossible without the tools and training of a professional exterminator.
Cockroaches are Cannibals
Cockroaches seek out certain scents, and what catches their attention? The smell of a dead nest mate. A dead cockroach produces a smell called the “death stench,” and this scent often attracts hungry or curious nestmates. Cockroaches are known to be social creatures, so when a dead roach is discovered, they tend to investigate and relay information to the colony that they may be in danger. After alerting the colony, they may even begin feeding on the carcass of the deceased.
They Can Live Without a Head
Just when you thought cockroaches couldn’t’ get any creepier, a cockroach is perfectly capable of surviving for multiple weeks with no head. Because these pests breathe through a system of tubes that filters air in and out of the sides of the body, a head is only needed to consume food and water. While a cockroach can’t fully restore its head, like it can grow back other limbs, it can survive for a few weeks until it dies of hunger or thirst.
… or Air
If you thought suffocation was the secret to cockroach elimination, we have some news for you. A cockroach can hold its breath for 40 to 45 minutes!
Experienced Cockroach Exterminators
If you have a cockroach infestation, don’t wait to reach out for professional help. The experts at Arrow Exterminating have been providing customers on Long Island with quick and reliable cockroach removal since 1947. After extermination, you can count on our technicians to keep them at bay. Contact us today for a free quote!
