What do small cockroaches look like and how do they differ from ordinary ones? Small cockroaches: what they look like, ways to fight them

General characteristics of domestic cockroaches
Reproduction
Types of domestic cockroaches, harmful and exotic (bred), their characteristics Red cockroaches
Black beetle
American cockroach
Furniture cockroach
Vietnamese (Turkestan) cockroaches
Egyptian cockroaches
Madagascar cockroach
Rhino cockroach
Chess cockroach
banana cockroach
Forest cockroach
Little car
Dead Head
Marbled (ash) cockroach
Sarawak cockroach
Megalobat cockroach
Lapland cockroach
Asiatic
Blaberus cockroaches

Cockroaches and man

Danger of cockroaches

Interesting facts about cockroaches

Cockroaches and the garbage problem

The best treat

Measures to combat cockroaches

Prevention

Insecticides to the rescue

Tightness is a step to victory

Folk remedies and auxiliary

Professional etching

Everyone has heard about cockroaches. But some are lucky enough to admire the brilliant Madagascar giants in the aquarium, while others unsuccessfully poison local, red or black pests in their kitchen. This nimble insect is found on all continents except the edge of permafrost. They love rotting plants, warmth and humidity, so the most arrogant representatives moved closer to garbage bins, and from there to human houses.

What types of these parasites are the most common, why are they dangerous, and how to fight them?

What do small cockroaches look like and what types of these pests exist?

If cockroaches appear in your home, you definitely won’t confuse them with other insects.

Cockroaches have an elongated body that is oval in shape. The length of a small cockroach can be only 4 mm. And some species can reach a length of as much as 10 cm. But such species, as a rule, do not live in houses.
Read also: What is cold and hot fog from bedbugs and cockroaches?
Pet cockroaches have a roundish or triangular head that is quite flat, but sometimes their head can be heart-shaped.
The cockroach has a small mouth, which is located at the bottom of its head and is covered by small structures on its body. It is by this sign that many recognize these unpleasant insects.
Many people think that cockroaches never bite humans, but this is a misconception. If a person is fast asleep, the pest may bite a person in the eye or in the area near the lips. A cockroach bite causes very unpleasant sensations, which may be accompanied by itching.
Cockroaches have the ability to chew, so if they don’t find regular food in your house, then even wires can be used. This can lead to a short circuit, so if you find cockroaches in your home, it is better to immediately hide all the wires.
Initially, these insects always lived in southern countries. Therefore, even now they settle in those apartments that have a fairly humid and warm microclimate. Considering that now almost every home has heating, cockroaches can live in anyone. Insects mainly crawl out at night, when people are already sleeping, and during the daytime they hide in their shelters all the time. You can only notice cockroaches when their number is already large enough.
The largest cockroaches are Madagascar cockroaches; they can reach a length of up to 10 cm. Such cases have not yet been recorded in Russian apartments. But some people prefer to keep such cockroaches in a special terrarium as pets. If you are still wondering what small cockroaches look like, the photo will clearly demonstrate this to you.
If you notice cockroaches in your apartment, it is either a red cockroach or a black one. Black cockroaches are often called sewer or kitchen cockroaches. This is due to the fact that such pests live mainly in the kitchen near water sources.
Black cockroaches are much larger than red cockroaches, they can reach a length of as much as 3 cm. Red cockroaches are quite small, so they can often settle in ventilation holes. If you think about what domestic cockroaches look like, most likely they are a red-colored type of insect.

Furniture cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

Description of the species and biology

The furniture cockroach is a member of the cockroach family with a bright light brown color and compact size. The body length of the imago is 11-14 mm. The wings of furniture cockroaches are transparent, in males they protrude beyond the edge of the abdomen, in females they are shorter - they cover two-thirds of the abdomen. Furniture cockroaches are capable of jumping and flying.

Unlike red cockroaches, which prefer warm and humid environments, furniture cockroaches like dry and hot conditions. Therefore, this species is found mainly in warm climate zones. Furniture cockroaches also make their home in well-heated rooms, for example, in hospitals or kindergartens. Like other species, they are active mainly at night.

Furniture cockroaches are unpretentious eaters, but prefer to feed on materials with a high starch content: book binding, wallpaper glue or postage stamps.

Life cycle of a furniture cockroach

Adult furniture cockroaches live 130-315 days, the average life expectancy is 210 days. During this period, the female lays an average of 14 oothecae with eggs, 10-18 pieces in each. The female incubates the ootheca for 24-36 hours and then attaches it to the hidden lower surface until the larvae emerge. The development time of larvae after hatching from eggs varies depending on environmental conditions, ranging from 90-270 days.

Where do furniture cockroaches come from and why are they dangerous?

Just like red cockroaches, furniture cockroaches enter the room with things and furniture. Once inside, they find dry, warm locations (bookcases, sideboards, storage rooms, electrical appliances) and settle in there. Furniture cockroaches tend to avoid water sources and are more often found in the ceiling area.

Furniture cockroaches have been found to carry and spread harmful bacteria and protozoa that cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Indoors, these insects sometimes cause asthma and allergies.

Signs of furniture cockroach infestation

Insects discovered . Although furniture cockroaches are nocturnal, they sometimes scurry around during the day in search of food. When you open a cabinet door or drawer, you can see them rushing for cover.
Faecal stains that appear as brown or black dots. Furniture cockroaches use these points as a means of communication within the population, marking safe places to gather in groups. Such marks are usually observed along ceiling skirting boards, near lamps or under paintings and photographs on the walls.
Ootheca with eggs 4-5 mm long are usually invisible, as they are hidden on the lower protected surfaces or in crevices. However, after the appearance of the larvae, the hiding places of furniture cockroaches immediately become obvious.

Habitats

Scientists believe that cockroaches appeared on the planet long before dinosaurs. The insects managed to survive the giants and wait for humans to appear. Since then, little bugs have chosen human housing, because it is nourishing, warm and cozy.

The main criterion for the life of Prussians is food and moisture. Therefore, they settle in the bathroom or kitchen, hide in a cupboard, under a ventilation grill, behind a sink, or a refrigerator.

Cockroach “dwellings” are detected by numerous feces, remains after molting, and the presence of larvae. If barbels allow themselves to run around the apartment during the daytime, then there are too many of them.

Stages of insect development

Prussians and their black relatives are very different from each other in appearance. Black insects are much larger than red ones. Their larvae are also larger in size than baby Prussians. The female insect lays her eggs in a special chitinous shell - the ooteca. In the black representative of cockroaches, up to 20 larvae are formed in one clutch. The life cycle of a large barbel consists of several stages:

The ootheca remains for about 1.5 months in a warm, secluded place, after which nymphs emerge from it;
the larva is formed within 7–8 months, shedding its chitinous shell and acquiring a new one;
The adult is capable of reproduction and can lay more than 20 oothecae during its life of up to 5 years.

Red representatives of cockroaches develop in a similar way, but the duration of their cycles is shorter:

The ootheca left by the female releases from 25 to 40 small cockroaches within 2 weeks;
the larval stage lasts 2 – 4 months;
On average, the imago lives a short life of 1 year, during which time it manages to give birth to offspring about 10 times.

If we compare the two most common types of pests, then the rate of development of the organism in red ones exceeds their counterparts. Therefore, they have a greater chance of surviving in unfavorable situations. Small and nimble Prussians displace their larger competitors from the territory, putting them to flight or completely destroying the entire colony.

Reproduction

The ability to increase the population of this family is amazing. There are 2 ways - sexual or parthenogenetic, but in any case at least one mating must occur. The eggs are located in a special capsule (ootheca). Females carry this protein “suitcase” at the end of their body (most species), others are viviparous. Cockroaches have complex behavior as parents.

Go through 3 stages of development:

Egg.
Larva or nymph.
Imago or adult individual.

They develop from larvae to adults through molting (up to 8 times). The maturation process for Prussians (red cockroaches) takes several months, while for black cockroaches it takes 4 years.

Example of a viviparous species:

Nymphs of longhorned beetles develop for a couple of months, and black representatives for several years (4 years). During this time, molting occurs (shedding of the old chitinous shell), and the “newborn” individual becomes larger each time. In total, up to 9 molts occur.

Each species goes through certain stages in its development. So, during molting, the cockroach sheds its brown chitinous outfit, remaining in translucent white “underwear”. Therefore, in a couple of days the running white pest will become similar to its relatives. Sometimes whiteness is explained by the use of chlorine-containing preparations, which tend to oxidize and bleach surfaces, including chitin.

What is the danger to humans?

At first glance, cockroaches are harmless insects that feed on leftover food and hide in corners. But it turns out that hungry “tenants” bite people. Insects damage areas with delicate skin: neck, lips, eyelids. The infection freely penetrates through the wound, which the longhorned beetles catch on their paws while visiting the trash can.

Nocturnal insects have the habit of hiding in various crevices. And the human ear can serve as their home. The cockroach easily crawls into the ear canal and gets stuck. The result is irritation and pain, and in critical cases, damage to the eardrum occurs. If the room is literally swarming with insects, a person should sleep with earplugs.

Cockroach saliva and particles of chitinous cover that get into the wound cause allergies. It is dangerous for those suffering from bronchial asthma to be in a room where females call males for mating. The aromatic substance secreted by females can provoke an attack in the patient.

Pest Control

Cockroaches infest rooms where people forget to clean them. Prevention is simple: do not leave dirty dishes, take out the trash regularly, seal the cracks, fix the water taps. If uninvited guests have arrived, then the following will help get rid of them:

Folk method. Bait with the addition of boric acid is popular in households. As a treat, mashed potatoes or egg yolk with added sugar are suitable. The ingredients are mixed, rolled into balls and placed in the corners.
A vacuum cleaner will help remove cockroaches from their hiding places. The device is turned on at full power and passed through all the cracks in the apartment, including baseboards, furniture and walls. Insects caught in the dust collector are urgently destroyed so that they do not have time to scatter.
Pest control. Stores sell chemicals designed to destroy parasites (powders, gels, crayons).

Cockroaches don't give up without a fight. Leaving one apartment, they run to their neighbors. If you are unable to cope with the evil spirits on your own, you will have to turn to professionals. They will inspect the premises and select a means to kill the beetles.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Large red cockroaches are omnivorous creatures. For them, it doesn’t matter whether a product is edible for humans - they happily absorb both crumbs of bread and wood, even a not completely washed tile in the kitchen will feed them for a long time. Even electrical wiring will be tasty for them, not to mention various sweets.

You can find these insects everywhere, they will penetrate into any crevice, crawl into any kitchen where there is the slightest mess. On farms, in the field, wherever it is warm and there is food and water, Blattella germanica can often be seen. You will also find them in the bathroom - soapy water is a real feast for them. He will also be comfortable in the bedroom - the remnants of the epidermis, which you don’t even notice, are also complete food for these pests.

These insects are mainly nocturnal. It is practically invulnerable to its enemies - its wing covers are very strong and hard, it is almost impossible to catch it - it is capable of changing the direction of movement up to 25 times per second. They settle mainly in narrow crevices where they feel safe.

The red cockroach can go without food for more than a month, but it dies very quickly without water - in just 2-3 days. It doesn’t have to be just water; a piece of apple will completely satisfy his need for moisture.

These insects easily travel quite long distances - if there are containers with garbage near a residential building, there is no doubt that there is also a nest of cockroaches near them. And that you can accidentally bring them into your home.

A cockroach lives on average 6-8 months. During her life, his female can produce about a thousand eggs.

Exotic representatives

Madagascar (hissing) is one of the largest representatives of the order; an adult can reach a size of up to 10 cm. We can bring them home from warm countries during a vacation or business trip. Despite its size, it is absolutely harmless, and the hissing it makes, which was considered a defensive reaction, is just loud breathing. Males differ from females by always having broken mustaches; they, as befits men, always fight for the female. In females, on the contrary, the mustache is intact and long.

The checkerboard cockroach got its name because of the checkerboard-shaped coloring on its shell.
He prefers an active night life, if you notice him in your home, then know that he escaped from the neighbors who kept him like an exotic insect. An anecdote on the topic: Forum for residents of new buildings. — Today, in the kitchen, I saw two white-haired cockroaches, one of the new residents brought with them. I had to kill them. - Tough! “Are you sure that you killed exactly those residents?”

The death's head cockroach got its name because of the pattern on its head in the form of a mask. Capable of flying long distances.

The rhinoceros cockroach is unique in its kind. Reaches a weight of up to 40g, and a lifespan of up to 10 years.

Megaloblatta longipennis is a representative of Latin America. Its beautiful color is black with a purple tint, and its wingspan of up to 25 cm makes it a small airplane that can only be observed in the wild.

Lucihormetica subcincta – cutely called the little car because of its color, it is native to South America. The arrangement of flowers on its chitinous shell on top resembles a small car with its headlights on. It is highly valued by lovers of exotic insects.

Signs of appearance in the house

Signs of the appearance of cockroaches can be black dots - traces of vital activity, on baseboards, near the trash can, sink, in the bathroom.
Specific smell. Cockroaches have a highly developed sense of smell. By smell they find food, water, and their own kind. In the same way they give signs to other relatives that food has been found. During the breeding season, the smell intensifies.

There is no need to delay killing insects. Cockroaches reproduce quickly. During one fertilization, the female produces about 40 larvae. During its entire life it produces 3-4 offspring. In a month, a whole crowd will be running around your apartment. Insects damage food, furniture, book bindings, and plants.

There are a huge number of fighting methods. Effective folk remedies, professional chemicals, traps, repellers. It is necessary to follow basic rules: remove crumbs from the table after eating, clean cupboards more often, wipe surfaces dry, repair taps on time. The absence of suitable conditions for cockroaches is the best method of control and prevention!

Biology

Representatives of cockroaches are heat-loving, moisture-loving creatures. They run quickly and become more active at dusk. During the day they hide under snags, stones, in rodent burrows, the bark of stumps, in the apartment - in cracks, under the floor, furniture. Omnivores feed on animals and plant debris. Some species have developed cannibalism. At home, in the absence of food residues, they can chew toilet paper, glue, books, and leather bindings.

Various breeds reproduce sexually, parthenogenetically. To begin the formation of eggs, mating is required, the entry of seminal fluid into the female’s body. After this, she can reproduce throughout her life without the participation of a male. Embryos develop in an ooteca, which the female of many species sheds before giving birth to her young. Some species of cockroaches are viviparous. There are from 15 to 60 eggs in one clutch. During her life, the female bears up to 300 individuals. A baby cockroach is similar in appearance to the adult, but the cover is darker and smaller in size. The maximum lifespan of insects is 6 years in artificial conditions, 4 years in the natural environment.

Exotic cockroaches live in the tropics. Red and black cockroaches have become widespread in our area. They are synanthropic and do not live in the wild. There are 55 species found in the former Soviet Union.

How to get rid

If small cockroaches appear in the apartment, measures should be taken immediately to destroy them. It is best to choose insecticidal products intended for treating the premises. The toxic substances they contain quickly destroy parasites, their larvae, and eggs.

When carrying out processing, it is important to take precautions, as there is a possibility of poisoning with toxic products.

Chemicals

To get rid of small cockroaches in an apartment, it is recommended to use any insecticide that contains toxic substances that have a detrimental effect on the parasites. There are a lot of similar products on the modern market.

The most popular are the following:

Traps. The simplest, safest way to remove parasites. There are several types of traps, for example, glue, electric, toxic. Their essence, regardless of type, is simple. There is a bait inside the device. Penetrating into the trap, the pest sticks to its walls or is destroyed by a small discharge of electric current. The method is safe for people and pets.
Powders, dusts, crayons. These products are effective in killing a small number of insects. They can be used to prevent infection of the apartment. The selected substance should be applied to the areas where the parasites are located. You can, for example, treat the ventilation grille and the space behind the furniture. A significant disadvantage is the lack of negative effects on the larvae and eggs of parasites.
Gels. One of the most effective means designed to combat cockroaches. Gels are applied in small portions to places where parasites accumulate, quickly destroying even a large population.
Aerosols. Aerosols can quickly kill adult parasites, but they do not have a negative effect on the eggs. To remove pests, it is important to re-treat the premises two weeks after completing the first one.
Ultrasonic repellers. This is the most effective, completely safe device that will help remove parasites and prevent their reappearance. The repeller produces a sound that is extremely unpleasant for pests, which forces them to move far around the room. The range of most devices of this type is at least two hundred meters, respectively, with their help you can protect several apartments in one house.

To prevent the reappearance of parasites, it is recommended to leave traps in the public domain.

Application of insecticides

How to get rid of cockroaches quickly? The most universal and effective way to control household pests is the use of toxic chemicals. The main advantage of insecticides is their total effect on insects: settling on the legs of cockroaches, they penetrate into hard-to-reach places. To carry out such a procedure, a special team is often hired, which treats the premises with the help of professional preparations. Having decided to get rid of the Prussians in this way, on the day of disinfestation it is necessary to remove all household members and pets from the apartment. After treatment, the house must be wet cleaned and all rooms thoroughly ventilated.

It is recommended to resort to the help of professionals if the room is very large and there is a large concentration of cockroaches in it. Most often, SES is called to food processing departments, dormitories and apartment buildings. As for the independent use of insecticidal preparations, this must be done when several small rooms need treatment. Insecticides are available in several forms:

Sprays. They should be sprayed in places where cockroaches are expected to live: in bedside tables, under sinks, behind cabinets, around baseboards, behind carpets. The effectiveness of toxic substances in the form of sprays is due to their penetration into the respiratory tract of the insect.
Powders. Powdered insecticides must be scattered in places where cockroaches move and accumulate. Children or pets should never be allowed to have access to these powders. You need to hide them under carpets, bedside tables, etc. Well-known insecticidal powders are the following: Pyrethrum, Oradelt, Phenax, Insorbcide.
Pencils. Processing an apartment with a pencil is carried out in almost the same way as with powder. The main difference is the ability to apply the pencil to vertical surfaces. In addition, it allows you to limit the movement of cockroaches.

The most effective and popular means for self-extermination of pests include:

Raid;
Raptor;
Dichlorvos;
Combat;
Regent;
Microfos;
Global

Folk remedies

If a small number of parasites appear, you can use safe folk remedies, for example:

Alabaster. To prepare a mixture that is destructive for small cockroaches, carefully mix alabaster and any flour in similar proportions. Place the resulting powder in secluded corners of the apartment. After this mixture enters the insect’s body, the parasite’s insides literally stick together, resulting in its death.
Boric acid. It is recommended to mix the powder of this substance with pre-boiled, crushed chicken egg yolk. If the mass is not flexible enough, you can add a little water. When the mixture acquires the consistency of dough, you should make small balls out of it, which are placed in secluded places. This method will allow you to quickly get rid of even a large number of parasites.
A method of cooling or cooling a room. Cockroaches cannot tolerate low temperatures. You can get rid of them if you open the windows, turn off the heating, and then leave the room for a couple of days. It is recommended to use this method with caution, as there is a possibility of damage to the radiators.

It is important to know that using the above methods will not get rid of a large number of mustachioed pests.

Beer

You can insidiously take advantage of the love of cockroaches for beer by pouring a small amount into the bottom of a jar, greasing the inner edges of the glass container with Vaseline and leaving it in the place where the insects are supposed to live. The next morning the jar will be filled with cockroaches. With this method, only those specimens that crawl out of their holes will die. Females involved in laying eggs and packing them into the ooteca, a special chamber at the end of the abdomen, will remain inside and are guaranteed to ensure the appearance of new offspring instead of the destroyed ones.

Anise

People often use this herb for medicinal purposes as an expectorant, antipyretic and analgesic. And cockroaches cannot stand its smell - as soon as the barbels smell an unpleasant aroma, they will try to leave such a room as quickly as possible.

Dry herbs can be easily purchased at any pharmacy; alternatively, you can use essential oils or anise drops.

Mint

This plant is usually used to brew tea; people really like its delicate sweet aroma. But among the Prussians it causes panic and a feeling of fear. If, after removing the longhorned beetles, you notice that they are coming back again, try growing mint directly on the windowsills. Its smell will spread throughout the kitchen and the Prussians will no longer want to come to such a house again.

Cedar

Cedar oil exudes a subtle velvety aroma that every person likes, but not cockroaches. Cedar oil helps in the fight against insects. You can also fill a vase with pine cones and place it on the windowsill.

This way you can solve two problems at once - scare away pests and create a stylish element of decor in the room.

Tansy

A plant with small yellow flowers and a sharp, specific aroma. It has a high repellent effect, so mosquitoes, flies and even mice leave the house after cockroaches.

Owners of private houses often grow tansy around the perimeter of their home, and dry the dry grass along with flowers and distribute them in bunches around the kitchen. However, this plant not only has medicinal properties - if consumed in excess, it can become poisonous. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that children and incapacitated adults do not come into contact with this herb.

Honeysuckle

This crop can be found in the wild and in gardens. The pleasant smell has a very beneficial effect on the human nervous system, so it is often used as a sedative for depression and stress.

However, it has the exact opposite effect on cockroaches, causing them to have panic attacks.

Vinegar

Vinegar has a pungent odor, so it is used to drive all pests out of the kitchen. A solution that includes this substance is used to treat tables and shelves in the kitchen. For prevention, effective folk remedies that include vinegar are being used more and more often.

The vinegar composition is used to treat ventilation shafts and grilles, window openings, and baseboards. After this, the room is sealed to kill all insects.

The treated room is ventilated to get rid of the unpleasant odor.

Geranium

Housewives are wondering why insects do not appear in rooms where geraniums grow on windowsills. This plant has a special smell that Prussians and other insects cannot tolerate.

Pyrethrum

Pharmacies sell powder such as pyrethrum. It is distributed in large containers. It contains pre-dried and crushed chamomile inflorescences. After purchase, bags are prepared using gauze, which are small in size. They are filled with dried vegetation.

Bags of crushed chamomile are scattered around the kitchen. This plant has a rich aroma that repels pests.

The duration of use of folk remedies depends on how large the population is in the house.

Chilling and scaring method

Cockroaches do not like low temperatures: at -5 oC they go into suspended animation, at -50 oC they live only 30 minutes, at -70 oC they die in a minute. Therefore, in ancient times, in the villages they were driven out by the cold, so to speak, they were cold out: in winter they did not heat the hut for two or three days, they went to spend the night with their neighbors.

In order to prevent cockroaches from entering your own territory, it is recommended to use substances that repel them. These are fresh cucumber peelings or green bay leaves.

Electronic means

Today, the electronic cockroach repeller is in great demand, and you can find conflicting reviews on the Internet. This safe, effective, modern device helps repel insects from your home. Safe for children and pets. There is no chemical impact on the apartment, does not require the purchase of batteries, and does not require special care.

Pests do not develop a habit of using an electronic repeller; it always has an effect on them. Outgoing impulses affect the nervous system of pests and create an atmosphere that is not comfortable for pests. The device does not kill insects, but forces them to leave the room.

Advantages of an electronic device:

Electromagnetic pulses cover an area of up to 200 sq.m.
Ultrasonic effects are heard only by harmful insects and rodents.
The device is easy and safe to use: you just need to plug it into a power outlet. An electronic cockroach repeller will keep the atmosphere of your home unpolluted and fresh.

What are they afraid of?

Despite the vitality and adaptability of pests, there are some things that cockroaches are afraid of in an apartment. There are three factors that can make your home uncomfortable for cockroaches.

Strong odors. Cockroaches cannot tolerate chemical odors. That's why they run away from the house during renovations. If you paint, for example, a radiator with oil paint, pests will not want to stay in the room.
Temperature changes. This factor can be used in the cold season, when the heating season begins. Ventilate the apartment daily for 15-30 minutes. Pests will not like frosty air.
Bright light. Keep the curtains open during daylight hours. Screw bright light bulbs into chandeliers and sconces.

Cockroaches cannot tolerate the aroma of essential oils. They especially dislike anise, wormwood, mint, citrus fruits and pine needles. Light an aroma lamp with your favorite ether every day to prevent unwanted proximity.

How to prevent cockroaches from getting into the microwave oven

It is much easier to take preventive measures and prevent cockroaches from getting into the microwave than to then waste time and energy to evict them from there. In order not to one day discover a nest of pests in a microwave oven, it is necessary to provide protection not only for a specific device, but also for the entire kitchen:

maintain cleanliness, do not leave garbage overnight, wash dirty dishes immediately after eating,
place food in the refrigerator or seal it tightly;
regularly ventilate the room;
monitor the condition of pipes, taps, mixers, promptly eliminate leaks and blockages;
Keep the microwave clean, remove heavy dirt immediately, and carry out preventive cleaning every 10 to 14 days.

Additionally, you can wipe the surface of the oven with water with the addition of vinegar or essential oil. Next to the microwave you can put a sachet with herbs (mint, wormwood, bay leaf).

Harm from poisoned parasites

Even poisoned insects pose a certain danger - after disinfestation has been carried out in a residential area using pesticides. Such specimens can harm pets: cats, dogs, birds. They playfully catch them and eat them, which leads to severe intoxication.

Most progressive insecticides have a prolonged spectrum of action, so they do not kill longhorned beetles instantly. For some time they still move, although slowed down. So the still living cockroach holds a poisonous bomb within itself.

Cats are more sensitive to insecticides, especially pyrethroids. The first symptom of poisoning will be the appearance of drooling. The animal behaves inappropriately.

Therefore, during sanitization and for the next 1-2 days, it is recommended to remove not only people, but also animals from the living space. Bullying can also have a negative impact on the person doing the pest control. To prevent such an outcome, thoroughly study the instructions for using the insecticide and follow safety precautions. Wear a respirator when working.| Read about effective cockroach repellents...

In reality, few people are careful, so cases of poisoning do occur. Often everything is limited to a slight malaise: dizziness, nausea, migraine.

Curious facts

Those who like to kill cockroaches in a sudden way should be aware of the extreme resistance of such insects to physical damage. Therefore, swatting it down is not enough; you also need to either grind it thoroughly, or sprinkle it with boric acid while still half-dead and release it to its relatives.

Interesting information: thanks to a specific gene, called “knockdown” by scientists, cockroaches can imitate their own death. Smelling the smell of poison, the insect loses consciousness, falls with its paws up and stops breathing.

After lying down for a certain period, he comes to his senses and calmly continues his sabotage activities.

Preventive measures

As preventive measures against the spread of cockroaches in the home, it is recommended to use the following recommendations:

Maintain perfect cleanliness in the kitchen and in the apartment as a whole. There should be no crumbs on the tables and floors, and greasy deposits on the walls. The trash can should be taken out in a timely manner, without putting it off until tomorrow.
Store seasonings in glass, hermetically sealed containers.
Wash dishes and sinks promptly.
Do not leave containers with prepared food or grocery bags open.
Cover the air vents with a grill or fine mesh.
Cockroaches can live for several weeks without a head, which has been confirmed by repeated experiments.
Many species can fly (the synanthropic American or Lapland cockroach).
Whiskered insects may not breathe for 40 minutes. This property contributes to the retention of water available in the body when it is impossible to replenish it.

What are they carriers of?

The danger from cockroaches lies in the fact that they deftly know how to move around rooms and neighboring premises. The paths for this are not chosen: sewer pipes, basements and attics. Along the way, they pick up a lot of infections and microbes that stick to the chitinous coating and paws. This also includes helminth eggs, that is, worms.

They carry everything collected into people’s homes, where they walk freely on kitchen tables and come into contact with abandoned food and drinks in glasses. In this way, all the infection clings to a person.

Apart from external transfer, longhorned beetles are not particularly sterile from the inside. They are indiscriminate in their food, feeding on waste, human and animal excrement. Therefore, in their digestive system they have a whole breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms.

According to research, mustachioed pests carry the following diseases:

dysentery;
gastroenteritis;
urological infections;
salmonellosis;
tuberculosis
meningitis;
pneumonia;
mycobacteriosis.

The following helminths can carry eggs on their limbs:

whipworm;
tapeworms;
pinworm

The greatest harm is caused by specimens that entered the house from sewers, since it is unknown how long and in what they floundered. It’s scary to even imagine what kind of disgust they leave after running through food products.

Moving intensively around the living space, longhorned beetles leave the above listed not only on food, but on the walls and personal hygiene items in the bathroom.

Therefore, the risk of infection increases: touching familiar objects in the apartment and not washing hands. The person then does not even realize what caused the disease. If sanitary standards are not maintained in kindergartens and schools, children are at risk. Cockroach settlements in these places become the cause of infectious epidemics. Therefore, when parasites are detected, emergency measures are taken - they call SES employees for disinfestation.

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