Cockroaches are notorious for their ability to thrive in various environments. While they’re often associated with unsanitary conditions, cockroaches are still intriguing creatures with remarkable attributes. Here are five fun facts you probably never wanted to know about cockroaches.
- They’re ancient
Cockroaches have been around for a mind-bogglingly long time. Fossil evidence suggests that cockroach-like creatures first appeared on Earth around 300 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period, long before dinosaurs even existed. Cockroaches survived a mass extinction and adapted to changing environments and proved themselves as ultimate survivors.
- They’re fast
Cockroaches are remarkably fast runners and they can cover ground at an astonishing pace. Some species can reach speeds of almost five kilometres per hour. To put that into perspective, if a human were as fast relative to their size, they’d be running at highway speeds. This incredible agility helps them dart away when they sense danger, making them elusive and challenging to catch.
- They can survive without a head – for a time
Cockroaches can survive for a week or two without their heads. They don’t breathe through noses or mouths but through small openings on their bodies called spiracles. Additionally, their brains aren’t centralized like ours. Instead, they have clusters of nerve cells, called ganglia, throughout their bodies. This decentralized nervous system enables them to continue functions like walking and mating even after decapitation. Eventually, a headless roach will succumb to dehydration.
- They’ll eat anything — even glue
Pest cockroaches aren’t picky eaters. While they’re often associated with feasting on leftovers and decaying matter, they’re omnivores, meaning they can eat both plant and animal material. They’ll munch on food scraps, but they’re equally content to feast on glue, soap, leather, feces, and their fellow insects. At least one cockroach, the American cockroach, can eat cellulose-containing things such as cardboard. This adaptability to various food sources is one reason they’ve managed to survive in diverse environments.
- They’re the ultimate survivors
As you’ve undoubtedly noticed, cockroaches aren’t easily killed. They have incredible adaptability. Some cockroaches can survive underwater for 30 minutes. If given enough time to acclimatize, some pest cockroaches can survive much longer in cold temperatures that would normally kill them, and wood cockroach nymphs survive through the winter. Some cockroaches can also live without food for up to one month and most will die after a week or two without water. There are some cockroaches that avoid eating poison baits, but don’t worry, Poulin’s has strategies to eliminate these pests, too.
Cockroach and pest control in Western Canada
At the first signs of a cockroach infestation, call Poulin’s Pest Control. We know where these elusive insects live and how they behave, so we can eliminate your problem once and for all. Contact us today and one of our pest management professionals will assess your home or business and come up with a cockroach control strategy customized for you.