Why is it so difficult to kill cockroaches? It seems they can survive bug sprays, getting squashed by sandals, and a slew of baits. If you have tried everything you could think of but still cannot get rid of cockroaches in your home, join the club!
Cockroaches are not only the most hated pests but are also notoriously difficult to wipe out. So, what is it that makes cockroaches so robust? Well, it turns out that cockroaches are genetically programmed for survival.
In this article, we will discuss that further and have also listed some other reasons why these pests are so challenging to control. Once you know what makes cockroach elimination so tricky, you can devise a plan to curb the cockroach population in your house.
What Makes Cockroach Control So Challenging?
Strong Exoskeletons Help Prevent Cockroaches from Getting Easily Squashed
Most pests, such as a bug or a fly, will not be able to withstand the pressure of getting squashed by a shoe or a can. However, cockroaches are capable of surviving pressure. This is because they have tough exoskeletons that can stretch when pressure is exerted.
This is why cockroaches are not easily affected by forceful impacts. They can withstand the shock and will usually scamper away even after you have stomped on them.
What’s more, cockroaches have flexible membranes. This helps them squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices quite easily. No wonder they are so difficult to find, let alone kill.
Cockroaches Have Excellent Survival Skills
While various species of bugs can live without food and water for days, cockroaches have taken that even one step further. Roaches can survive without drinking any water for a week. But that’s not all; they will live even if they do not get food for a month!
This means cockroaches can stay in hiding for a long time in their secret hideouts. Furthermore, sealing water sources and eliminating all kinds of food crumbs will not keep your home cockroach-free. You can clean all the high foot-traffic areas in the house regularly, but it will not guarantee a reduction in the cockroach population in your house. In fact, cockroaches can feed on things you will not even consider food. For example, they can feast on book bindings, fingernail clippings, and cardboard boxes.
Cockroaches Do Not Have Any Natural Predators
Most insects and pests have natural predators that help control and reduce their population without any external involvement. For instance, mosquitoes, flies, and spiders have a prey-predator relationship where spiders help keep flies and mosquitoes at bay. So if you have spiders at home, you will not have to worry about small insects like flies buzzing around and spreading diseases.
However, when it comes to cockroaches, you cannot leave it to nature to solve your pest problem. Cockroaches do not have any such natural predators. So, you have to take it upon yourself to prevent and remove cockroaches from your home.
Cockroaches Have Strong Insecticide Resistance
As stated earlier, cockroaches are genetically wired to survive. Their genetic codes offer them the goodness of a variety of detoxifying enzymes. These enzymes help cockroaches withstand a slew of toxic substances and environments. This basically grants cockroaches the ability to resist many readily available insecticides.
Not only have cockroaches developed resistance to regular insecticides, but they have also developed a strong resistance to many strong off-the-shelf cockroach-killer insecticides. No wonder finding a suitable cockroach-killing spray is so difficult. Hence, rather than relying on DIY methods for cockroach control, you should engage a professional pest control agency to manage the cockroach infestation.
Because cockroaches live for about 100 days, the resistance evolves quickly. Genes from the most resistant roaches are passed on, making the next generation more and more resistant.
Roaches Reproduce Fast
Despite their short life of only 100 days, cockroaches breed and grow their population rapidly. The time taken to reproduce varies from one species of cockroach to another, but all cockroaches generally reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
For instance, a single egg capsule laid by German cockroaches contains 48 individual eggs. The baby cockroaches hatching from these eggs will only take about 60 days to reach reproductive maturity.
Do not neglect the situation when you see a few small roaches, as it can soon turn into an out-of-control infestation. To make matters worse, cockroaches are capable of parthenogenesis, which means females can reproduce without mating with male roaches.
Roaches Can Live Without Their Head
You can behead a cockroach, and it still will not die. Yes, cockroaches can survive without their heads. If you remove their head, it will still live for an entire week. As impossible as it may seem, it is true.
Cockroaches have an open circulatory system. They breathe through tiny holes all over their body and not only through their head or mouth.
So, cockroaches do not rely solely on their head to breathe. They also do not need their brain. Nerve tissues in each body segment can control a roach’s reflexes. This is how a cockroach can live up to one week without its head.
Cockroaches are Fast
Finally, what makes cockroach control the most challenging is their agility. Roaches can run up to 3 miles per hour, which is relatively fast for a pest. In addition, cockroaches can sense danger very well and know how to sneak away from you when they feel the danger level is high.
The fast speed of roaches is what makes it difficult for you to kill a cockroach. However, before you lift your leg to crush it, it will rush to safety. This, along with the combination of a strong exoskeleton and the ability to crawl into tiny spaces, keeps most cockroaches safe.
Conclusion
When it comes to survivability, cockroaches are unlike any other pests. They can combat a wide range of threats and adverse conditions. However, if you have ever tried to kill a cockroach, you know how difficult it is to kill them.
Roaches have no natural predators, so the onus of eliminating them from your house is on you. What’s even worse, cockroaches have the genes for survival. They are fast, they reproduce quickly, and they are resistant to most insecticides!
Don’t worry; cockroaches may be difficult to kill, but it is not impossible. Try to find an insecticide or bait that works. Alternatively, you can outsource the task to a professional cockroach control company. You will have a cockroach-free home without even lifting a finger.
