There is a zero percent chance you have never had a run-in with a cockroach. After all, there are dozens of species and billions of them on Earth. They gravitate to humans to pick up all the tiny morals we drop and leave behind. They are the ultimate scavenger.
It has often been said that if there were a nuclear conflict that the cockroach would be the only living thing to survive. There is some truth in this. They can survive in extreme environments. They can live a long time without food and water. They don’t require sunlight. They can even live up to two weeks without their head.
What makes these critters so tough? We asked Steve, who works for a pest control company in Rockledge Florida. He had this to say: “Roaches are very sturdy creatures. They have a strong exoskeleton and many of their internal systems have built-in redundancy. They can survive falls from enormous heights. They can live in temperatures up to 120 degrees F and as low as -15 degrees F. They are basically a small organic battlefield tank”
Roaches wouldn’t be that big of a problem if they didn’t track endless disease with them. They carry an entire list of bacteria that can contaminate your food and eating surfaces. This is part of the reason why we all freak out when we see a roach. They are literally a danger to our well-being.
Some tips to keep them from getting into your home include:
1. Keep a clean home. Crumbs and dirty dishes attract them.
2. Seal all cracks in the home’s exterior.
3. Make sure all screen doors and windows are in good condition.
4. Spray the outside of your home with all-natural pest repellants.
