There’s a good reason many people are afflicted with katsaridaphobia, an extreme fear of cockroaches. They’ve been around for more than 100 million years, and they have a reputation for being indestructible. But how much of what you’ve heard about these skittering critters is true? Here’s a rundown of some common beliefs and some honest-to-goodness facts.
Cockroaches chase humans: false
Cockroaches don’t want to chase you, but some can move five kilometres per hour, and some species can fly. If a cockroach senses a threat, it may just happen to run in your direction. It doesn’t intend to harm you, but you’ll want to move fast to get out of its way.
Cockroaches can bite humans: true
While they’re more inclined to seek other food sources, they may resort to biting living humans in extreme circumstances. People have been bitten by cockroaches while sleeping in places with severe infestations.
Your house is too clean for cockroaches: false
You may keep your home meticulously clean and disinfected. But if it has any food for cockroaches, they’ll stick around. And they aren’t picky eaters; even soap is appealing when there’s nothing more appetizing nearby.
Cockroaches cause illness: true
Cockroaches don’t carry diseases as rodents do, but they can spread germs as they move about. If their daily travels take them through garbage and sewers, they may track those impurities into other spaces. Aside from more severe diseases that may arise due to a cockroach infestation, the mere presence of this pest can trigger allergies, skin rashes, and asthma.
Cockroaches don’t leave droppings: false
Cockroaches can recycle nitrogenous wastes and therefore don’t need to urinate. But they do excrete solid waste, and these droppings can make humans ill when there’s a large infestation.
You’ve never seen one, so they can’t be in your home: false
Cockroaches are nocturnal, so they may well be hidden away during the hours when you’d be more able to spot them. If you see them in the daytime, chances are you’ve got a significant infestation.
Pesticides can get rid of cockroaches: partly true
Pesticides are only one piece of a complete solution. You must also identify food and water sources and cut them off, so these pests are weaker and more likely to eat bait.
Cockroach control across western Canada
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