The cockroach has been around since time virtually began, experts agree that roaches have been on earth for literally hundreds of millions of years. In fact, they have been around longer than the dinosaur and may well be around long after humans have ceased to exist. Today there are over 4,000 different species of this lowly insect across the globe.
One of the most important reasons the cockroach is still around is that it is one of the most adaptable species of insect in the world. These bugs can find food and manage to survive in what can only be described as the harshest imaginable. They have survived numerous global catastrophes, including the Ice Age, and continue to flourish. More importantly, many species have survived after being transported from their native country in ships and airplanes.
Bear in mind that cockroaches pose a serious health risk to humans and as such need to be fully understood such that effective treatment can be developed. While each species of cockroach has its own particular lifespan, the average cockroach lives for approximately one year. However, actual lifespan is based on species, habitat, available food, and the climate. Here in the U.S., one year is the average, while in Germany it is only 100 days. Most roaches can live a full month without food, but only a week without water.
One of the hardest parts of figuring out how to exterminate cockroaches lies in understanding how they behave. This means pest control experts have to constantly adapt their techniques. Cockroaches have been found to be capable of running up to 3 miles per hour, this is incredibly fast for any type of insect. There are currently 70 known species here in the U.S., all of whom are nocturnal (come out at night). They can live practically anywhere regardless of climate.
Much like the proverbial rabbit, cockroaches have a remarkably fast reproduction rate. While many females will only mate once in their lifetime, they will spend the rest of their lives being pregnant. The females are exceptionally good at hiding their nests, which can lead to your home being infested before you even know you have cockroaches as “uninvited” guests.
When it comes to food, nothing is sacred as far as the cockroach is concerned. They will eat just about anything in your home. However, they do have a penchant for meats, starchy foods, and of course sweets. At the same time you may find them chowing down on books or leather items and worse yet, if food supplies get too low, they have been known to bite humans.
They like to find dark places to build their homes in hard to find out of the way places. This means they can enter your home through even the tiniest of holes. They love warm dark places, especially those with easy access to food and water. This makes them very hard to find and exterminate and why you should always contact a professional extermination service if you notice any signs of cockroaches in your home.
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