It is well known that cockroaches are a pest that spreads germs, bacteria, and even allergens. But as disgusting and scary as they are, they are also very fascinating.
Here are 12 fascinating facts about cockroaches:
- A cockroach can live headless for a week. When we say cockroaches are resilient, we really mean it! Their open circulatory system means the blood is pumped by the heart and flows open in the body cavity. Therefore they do not depend on their head or mouth to breathe. However, without a head, they have no way of consuming water and end up dying of thirst
- A cockroach can hold its breath for 40 minutes!
- There are over 4,000 species of cockroaches in which 30 of them like to live in our homes.
- The largest species of cockroach, the South American Cockroach has been documented to be six inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches.
- Roaches chew sideways and will eat just about anything. Roaches’ preference would be to each what we eat which is why you would often find them in the kitchen. If no human foods can be found, they will devour just about anything else, including book bindings, glue, and even human waste.
- Cockroaches can live for 1 month without food. Cockroaches are cold-blooded and when food is not readily available, they will preserve their energy by keep body temperatures low. Doing so allows them to go for extended periods of time without food.
- American Cockroaches love alcohol. Although we do not know exactly why this is, it is speculated that they are attracted to the sugars in alcohol.
- Cockroaches are ancient. Cockroaches are one of the most primitive of insects dating back 280 million years ago.
- The average lifespan of a cockroach is one year
- Cockroaches are fast-moving insects, about 200 miles per hour to be exact.
- Cockroaches can enter your home or work through the tiniest cracks and crevices. Their exoskeletons allow for them to fit through openings a quart of their body height
- Cockroaches most likely cannot survive a nuclear explosion. However, they can withstand radiation levels much greater than humans.
These facts have proved that cockroaches are one of the most resilient insects, which makes them more difficult to get rid of when you have an infestation in your home. To prevent infestations, here are a few things you can do to make your home less inviting to cockroaches – Tips to prevent a winter cockroach infestation
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