5 Shocking Facts About Cockroaches

Why on earth would you want to learn more about the creepy, crawly critters that make you cringe when you find them belly up on your kitchen floor? Almost no one is a fan of cockroaches, especially if they’ve taken up residence in your home.

But if you’ve ever heard the saying that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, it may help to better understand the cockroach species so that you can learn how to keep them out of your house once and for all.

Here are a few interesting facts about cockroaches that may tickle your fancy or disgust you even further. You be the judge…

1. The largest cockroach found in homes is the American cockroach.These cockroaches typically grow to 2 inches in size, and females can produce up to 150 offspring in a year. Keep in mind that American cockroaches are drawn to dark, warm, damp places because they seek a water source. If you have any leaks or standing water in your house, take care of these issues immediately to keep cockroaches at bay!
2. Cockroaches can live for almost 30 days without food. They can also survive for close to two weeks without water. This means that once cockroaches have made their way indoors, it’s difficult to get them out – even if they haven’t found a food or water source yet. Make sure to consult pest control services in Birmingham immediately at the first sign of a cockroach invasion!
3. Cockroaches are nocturnal.If you happen to see a cockroach in the daytime hours, it is probably because it has been forced out of its habitat due to overcrowding. This is a very bad sign indeed and could mean that you have a serious infestation on your hands. Contact an exterminator as quickly as possible for help.
4. Cockroaches can trigger allergies.If you’ve noticed your allergies or asthma flaring up, cockroaches could be to blame. Cockroach droppings and dead bodies have been known to trigger allergies, especially in young children and asthma-prone individuals.
5. Cockroaches can survive for weeks without a head. Clearly, we saved the best fact for last. Scientists have studied decapitated cockroaches to determine that a roach can continue to live for several weeks without a head while still using its legs. The simple explanation for this phenomenon is that the head of a cockroach doesn’t play a role in how its body functions. After decapitation, a roach will eventually dehydrate to die naturally. Good to know!