Cockroaches (lat. Blattodea, Blataria) are primarily winged insects with about 4500 species. Most of them can be found in tropical areas, especially in the forests of the equatorial zone. Only about ten species have adapted to temperate climates. Biologists have established that cockroaches appeared on Earth 120 million years before dinosaurs.
When they die, cockroaches lose strength in their legs, so they most often die on their backs.
Difference between cockroaches and roaches
Although we distinguish a large number of cockroach species, the two most common species in our area are:
- Brown (German, kitchen) cockroach, commonly known as Roach, or “kitchen cockroach”, from the genus “Blattella germanica”.Length: 1.2 - 1.5 cm, lifespan: 6-9 months, rarely flies.
Probably the most common species in our area, they love kitchens and seem unable to live without human habitats.
- Black (Oriental, standard) cockroach from the genus “Blatta orientalis” Length: 2.5 - 5.0 cm, lifespan: 9-18 months, does not fly.
- Black cockroaches prefer cooler and more humid locations, so they can often be found in sewers or basements, and they are also found in plumbing pipes, sinks, toilets, etc. Although they are quite similar genetically, these two species are completely different in appearance. In places where they reside, you will almost never find both species of cockroaches at the same time - one species usually excludes the existence of the other, which is in greater numbers. The reasons for this should be sought in the faster reproduction of Roaches, which can be 100 times more reproductive than the standard black cockroach. Large black cockroaches rarely make it to the kitchen unlike Roaches, but they can often be found in flooring, cavities, cracks, bedrooms, behind beds, garages, basements, attics, etc.
Material damage and diseases spread by cockroaches and roaches
Cockroaches can gnaw on almost anything, thus causing malfunctions in sensitive electronic devices, appliances, and networks. The consequences can be fires, expensive repairs, or breakdowns of white goods. They can also gnaw on numerous wooden and cellulose materials - cabinets, furniture, boxes, books, leather, etc. Cockroaches are not direct transmitters of these diseases. It is known that cockroaches spread bacteria that cause diseases, which are transmitted through food and contribute to the contamination of food products.
Common bacteria spread by cockroaches include:
- Salmonella
- Escherichia coli
- Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus
If we consider that cockroaches are omnivores and eat almost everything, including plants, other insects, hair, cardboard, wood, feces, and even other cockroaches, then we should not be surprised by their ability to contaminate everything they touch. They are considered one of the most resilient organisms, their resilience and ability to survive are fascinating, and we have already written about this in our text "How Cockroaches Survived the Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl?"
Their flat body allows them to squeeze through the smallest cracks.
Do cockroaches bite?
Cockroaches do not bite humans if there are other food sources available, except in extreme cases where the cockroach population is large and food becomes limited. The most serious cases of cockroach bites on humans have been recorded on ships. It has been documented that some cockroaches on marine vessels became so numerous that they bit the skin and nails of those on board due to lack of food. Some sailors even wore gloves to prevent cockroaches from biting their fingers.
Where do cockroaches and roaches most commonly live?
Cockroaches most commonly inhabit moist and warm environments for living and breeding - apartments, houses, restaurants, or hotels that are not hygienically maintained, where they can find food scraps or waste.
They hide in dark, secluded areas, in kitchens and bathrooms, electrical installations, and electronic devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, computers, sockets, etc., as they are attracted to heat. You can see them around sewer, plumbing, and heating pipes. They often crawl into plaster ceilings and moldings, between tiles, cracks in flooring, laminate, behind cabinets or beds, behind cardboard, under faucets, behind sinks, etc.
Most cockroaches hide during the day in dark, secluded areas and are most active at night, during which time they search for food and mates.
Present throughout all seasons
, somewhat less frequently in winter, when they enter a state of hibernation until temperatures rise.
How do they enter your home?
Sewer systems are the most common way cockroaches (most often black ones) invade apartments, but these cunning insects can even reach high-rise buildings where there is no sewer problem, through ventilation openings. The smallest crack in the wall or around the aforementioned pipes will be enough for the flat bodies of cockroaches to slip through.
If you missed it, read also...
