cockroaches facts and myths
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Cockroaches:
Cockroaches are considered pests by some, and appetizers by others! Although many people do not like the sight of roaches in their homes, they are still fascinated by the little (and sometimes not so little) creatures.
It has been said that cockroaches have survived through millions of years, and even a nuclear blast would not kill all of them. I guess we may as well accept the fact we may see one from time to time.
There are many myths and legends and interesting stories about roaches. I wanted to find out what was fact, and what was fiction about these sturdy little creatures.
It has been said that cockroaches have survived through millions of years, and even a nuclear blast would not kill all of them. I guess we may as well accept the fact we may see one from time to time.
There are many myths and legends and interesting stories about roaches. I wanted to find out what was fact, and what was fiction about these sturdy little creatures.
Interesting facts about cockroaches
Probably more than you ever wanted to know about roaches
Here are a few fascinating facts about cockroaches
- Crushed cockroaches when applied to a wound, can help ease the sting
- cockroaches have white blood
- Roaches primarily come out for water, not food
- Cockroaches can live a month without food, but only a week without water
- A roach can live a week without a head. It dies after a week due to lack of water
- A cockroach that has just shed it's skin is white and has black eyes. It takes 8 hours to reproduce the skin layer.
- Laboratory female roaches are able to reproduce without aid of a male. They produce all female offspring
- The largest roach in the world is the largest body, Macropanesthia rhinocerus from Australia weighing in at up to 50 grams.
- Cockroaches thrive in all conditions and live in the desert as well as the arctic
- Most roaches have the ability to fly, but not all do.
- Fried Cockroaches are common snacks in Cambodia, as are spiders and rats
Creepy Crawly Roaches
Just the thought of cockroaches can make people uncomfortable but the sight of them skittering about will make their skin crawl. Place these critters on a friend's wall and watch the reaction! These realistic gag roaches are no exception: just put them on a smooth hard vertical surface like a window or refrigerator and they will creep down in an alarmingly real manner. Fool your office buddies or freak out your roomates! Includes 3 roaches.Warning: Choking Hazard -Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Myths about roaches
Roaches are the subject of many myths
Here are some myths and truths about cockroaches:- There are no German Cockroaches Not true. Although even zoologists have claimed there are no German Cockroaches, studies found many of them in hot, humid conditions at the zoos.
- roaches don't hibernate. This also is false, even in the Northern U.S. there are species of wild cockroaches that hibernate.
- Cockroaches do not bite. False. The larger roaches have even been known to bite humans
- Roaches only live in dirty homes. Wrong. Roaches live in the walls of even clean homes, they have larger colonies in less clean homes because there is a bigger food supply available.
- All roaches lay several egg sacs a month. Incorrect. German roaches lay about one sac per month, but each sac can contain approximately 40 baby roaches. American roaches can lay a sac every 2-3 days, and each sac contains about 12 babies
- Cockroaches are active all night. That is not exactly true. Roaches are primarily active for a 4 hour period of your household's normal "lights out" time. Although, they can be seen at other times as well.
Other Misc. Roach facts
roaches are interesting creatures!
Some people think roaches must have eyes in the back of their heads, but they don't. They do have tiny little hairs that gage the air movement around them, so they feel you, they don't see you from behind.
I've read various statements on whether it's true that roaches could survive a nuclear blast. Some experts say yes, others say no.
Roaches come out for water far more often than they come out for food. Normally, one night of feasting is enough to last at least several days for a roach.
One roach expert told me that a single grain of sugar is enough to feed a cockroach for a month, however, studies I have read indicate that may or may not be true.
The reason substances like boric acid works to kill roaches is that they routinely clean themselves and each other. Thus, boric acid on their bodies will be consumed and kill them, and some of their friends. Boric acid can be made into a paste with flour and sugar and used as bait. This kills them also.
Roaches love onions.
Roaches eat meat, they are omnivores, so they will eat just about anything including dead animals.
Try an Electronic Cockroach and Pest Repellant
Hissing Cockroach
Roach facts
Haven't had enough of roaches?
So most people think they are disgusting, but they are truly interesting little creatures. Learn more about them, you just may conquer your fear of them!
Want to kill cockroaches?
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The world record for lying with live cockroaches
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Okay...then get rid of the roaches
roach B gone!
Reader Feedback
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TravelDiaries
Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:17 pm | delete
- Creepy right? Somehow I had to read it all.....
Fun lens
Happy Travels
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1chocolateparty
Jan 27, 2012 @ 5:00 pm | delete
- You have covered my favorite pet! Thank you.
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sukkran
Jan 25, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
- very interesting info on roaches. learned a lot from this lens. nicely done.
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Waxing-Lyrical
Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:43 pm | delete
- Missed out on the videos (dinnertime here), but interesting to learn more about cockroaches!
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vbright105
Jan 19, 2012 @ 6:12 pm | delete
- Maybe I should market the vids for weight loss, eh Richard? Seems no one wants to look at them, especially at dinner time. Thanks for stopping by!!
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grannysage
Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:31 pm | delete
- Now you did it. I have to tell my cockroach story. Back in the 70's I lived in a commune where the residents did not believe in killing anything. Including cockroaches. When we would go to the dining room in the morning and go to pour a cup of coffee, the roaches would run out to say good morning to us. I swear this was true. No one was really upset about it, it became kind of humorous after a while.
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vbright105
Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:37 pm | delete
- HAHA! That's funny. I am not fond of roaches, but of all of them, it is the "waterbugs" I hate most. The BIG, dark colored bugs..yuk. I used to stay in a cabin in Maine where I had a mouse that would come out onto the mantle every day for cheese. I liked him tho. :) Thanks for the smiile, Diane
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lisadh Jan 17, 2012 @ 1:37 pm | delete
- I admit it - I didn't watch any of the videos. I just don't like seeing these creepy crawly things moving or people eating them. Ewwww! But I loved the facts. White blood? Able to live a week without a HEAD? Cockroaches are bizarre creatures!
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vbright105
Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:37 pm | delete
- Hey, the vids were hard for me to watch too...can you imagine? Thanks for stopping by
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Brite-Ideas
Jan 16, 2012 @ 5:35 pm | delete
- I have to say "ewwwwwwwwww"...it was hard to read it..but so interesting at the same time! I learned a few things I hope I never have to know about, lol
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by vbright105
vbright105
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