Why cockroaches are dangerous: can a small insect bring big problems?

Cockroach (Blattoptera) are far from the most aesthetically pleasing representatives of the animal world. Disgust for them and at the same time fear have become entrenched in people, it seems, at the genetic level. Humanity is frightened by their omnivorousness, fertility, mobility and endurance. They cannot be defeated - some time after they disappear, they can return in an even more numerous detachment. People began to study their behavior only at the end of the 20th century. Their super-survival in any adverse conditions is amazing.

Cockroach: A Small Enemy That Creates Big Problems

Under natural conditions, cockroaches live on all continents, except for Antarctica. The greatest variety of species is found in the tropics. In the middle and northern latitudes, under the open sky, heat-loving insects cannot survive. Some have found a great way - to live next to a person. These types of cockroaches are called synanthropic. They enter buildings in various ways, in summer they can move along the street, in winter along communication channels.

Insects migrate in groups from several tens to hundreds of individuals. A large colony quickly spreads through a multi-storey building. Pests prefer a nocturnal lifestyle; during daylight hours they hide in crevices and other secluded places. The life cycle of cockroaches involves incomplete transformation, they go through several phases: an egg, a larva (nymph), an imago. Females lay their eggs in a special chitinous capsule, which is worn almost until the embryos mature. The protective cover increases the survival rate of the offspring.

Information. All species of synanthropic cockroaches in Russia are imported from other countries.

The basis of the colony is formed by the larvae of early instars. Most of the time they hide in crevices and remain unharmed when treated with insecticides. There are myths about the survival of cockroaches, but the real facts are not very inferior to them. Insects can live a week without a head, up to 70 days without food and 10 days without water. They can withstand a dose of radiation 5 times higher than the permissible for humans. Arthropods are omnivores, they eat any organic matter. The combination of these factors leads to the formation of massive colonies and an attack on human territory.

Control methods

Start fighting at the first sign of infection in your apartment. You should be on your guard when you see small dark pellets resembling poppy seeds, scattered over the kitchen furniture. They are cockroach excrement. The expanded population causes an unpleasant smell and ceases to hide, appearing in the eyes of the inhabitants of the apartment not only at night, but also during the day.

To kill pests, buy insecticides from your local hardware store. Good results are provided by:

• Dichlorvos;
• Raid;
• Clean house;
• chalk Mashenka;
• Global;
• Super Fas powder;
• Dohlox.

Use the products according to the instructions. Be sure to wear gloves on your hands, cover your respiratory system with a respirator, and your eyes with glasses.

Use special traps, smoke bombs and folk methods as auxiliary measures. Boil an egg, mash the yolk and mix with a teaspoon of boric acid. Roll up balls and spread edible bait in the corners of rooms.

Species of synanthropic cockroaches

Red and black cockroaches have spread on the territory of Russia; American, East Asian and furniture cockroaches are less common. Among the listed species, red cockroaches or Prusaks dominate in number. Thanks to the care of the offspring, a large percentage of embryos develop into nymphs and further to imago. Large black cockroaches early throw capsules with eggs, up to 60% of the offspring are exterminated by predators before leaving the ooteca. The main types of synanthropic cockroaches:

1. Red (Blattella germanica) - German cockroach or Prusak is more often found in dwellings than other species. It has an oval yellowish-brown body with two dark stripes, an elongated head, a long mustache, and wings. It is the smallest species of synanthropus, its length is 9-13 mm. They run fast, and thanks to the suction cup between the claws, they can move along vertical surfaces and the ceiling. The female lays a capsule with eggs every month and a half. Each contains 10-50 embryos. Larvae appear after 38-50 days. They grow up to the adult stage in 3 months, at temperatures from 30 ° in 40 days. Insects prefer moist food: milk, boiled potatoes, white bread, cheese. They can replace products with any organic matter, gnaw on fabric, paper, glue.
2. Black (Blatta orientalis) - is distinguished by its large size (18-30 mm) and pronounced sexual dimorphism. The body is black or brown, the legs are short, lighter than the main color. In males, wings cover 2/3 of the abdomen; antennae are equal to the length of the body. Females have a convex pronotum, short elytra and atrophied wings. Sexual maturity occurs at 6-7 months, females leave 22 ooteca in a lifetime. The larvae are black, shiny. Insects prefer basements and lower floors and visit sewers.
   

   Information. Black cockroaches are thermophilic, die at temperatures below zero.

3. American (Periplaneta Americana) is the largest synanthropic cockroach in Russia. The body is oblong, flattened, the color is reddish-brown or yellow-brown. The wings are well developed, the legs are long, there are suckers on the legs. The life span of insects is 1.5-3 years. They eat any food, but prefer sweet and flour products.

We greet with antennae, and infect with paws

If you notice one "uninvited guest" in your bag or on the table, be sure that he is not alone and you need to arrange a "raid" and destruction yourself. The danger from cockroaches is great, especially where there are small children. If with their antennae they study their location and the ability to live without worries, then on their paws, moreover, tenacious, they bring serious diseases into the house. With a quick response of the owners, it will be possible to do without therapeutic measures, but in most cases, people do not even know what diseases the cockroaches carry:

Are cockroaches dangerous? Definitely. But if diseases such as meningitis or tuberculosis can be obtained only with a strong infection with parasites of the living area, when insects simply run around the entire apartment and bite those living in it, then the allergy appears immediately. The reason is not only that the Prusak ran over the plate or over the liver. The main culprit is the chitinous membrane left after molting, cocoon and excrement of “saffron milk caps”. They are found everywhere and are not always visible. First, allergic rhinitis appears, and then other manifestations of allergies.

Moreover, it does not matter at all what product or substance. She will now haunt a man all his life

Cockroaches are very dangerous for human health, as they carry various diseases.

What diseases do cockroaches carry?

Small shy insects pose a serious danger to humans. They actively examine places contaminated with bacteria, fungi, and harmful microorganisms. In search of food, they visit:

• garbage cans;
• garbage chute;
• sewerage;
• basement;
• burrows of rodents.

In contact with rotting waste and feces, insects cling to the legs and antennae of pathogens of various diseases. Microorganisms are transferred to dishes, food, table surfaces. Then it enters the human body. Information about which diseases dangerous to humans are carried by cockroaches will help to present a real picture of the harmful neighborhood. Insect-borne ailments:

• diphtheria - an infection that affects the larynx, bronchi, skin;
• tuberculosis - a bacterial disease of the lungs;
• salmonellosis - an intestinal infection provoked by salmonella;
• hepatitis A - acute viral liver disease;
• dysentery - damage to the gastrointestinal tract, intoxication of the body;
• gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and small intestine;
• meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain.

When eating feces, eggs of helminths (pinworms, tapeworms, whiphead) fall into the intestines and on the body of insects. Dangerous infections fall to carriers in sewer systems, in garbage chutes, in rat holes.

Information. Scientists examined the limbs of synanthropic cockroaches and found the presence of 32 species of pathogenic bacteria, 17 species of fungus and 3 species of protozoa and 2 strains of poliomyelitis.

From an infected surface or dishes through dirty hands, pathogenic bacteria and viruses enter a person. They also enter the body with food, on which insects crawled. Some diseases lead to serious consequences, cause disability. Do not be careless about the neighborhood with the Prussians.

Allergy to cockroaches

Interaction with insects threatens not only infection with infectious diseases, but the occurrence of allergies. The cover of arthropods shed during molting contains a protein that provokes a negative reaction in the body. Chitinous shell particles remain on food, clothing and furniture. When inhaled, they enter the body, causing an attack of bronchial asthma. Doctors in the United States have found a similar reaction in 60% of patients.

In addition to chitinous particles, insect excrement causes allergies. The manifestation of a painful reaction when interacting with allergens becomes:

• runny nose, swelling of the nasopharynx;
• frequent sneezing;
• eye irritation;
• dermatitis - skin rashes;
• attacks of bronchial asthma.

The colony of cockroaches remains in the home for a long time, during this time the manifestations of allergies become chronic. Most often, children suffer, if the baby has similar symptoms, it is worth immediately addressing the cause of the disease.

Foreign body

One of the ways of causing harm to human health is the penetration of arthropods into the ear or nose. At night, insects are extremely active and constantly move in search of food. They are able to crawl into a person's ear, but they cannot leave it. Cockroaches are unable to turn around in a narrow passage. Insects scratch the ear from the inside, causing severe pain. Only a doctor can save a person from a foreign body. A special rinsing procedure and tweezers allow you to reach the pest.

Skin damage (bites)

Cockroaches are not predators or classic parasites. They do not attack humans as prey. But in rare cases, when there is a lack of food and water, they pose a threat. There have been cases of eating up the epidermis in the neck, lips, earlobes, eyelids. Younger children suffer more often, their skin is the most delicate. In the places of attack, wounds and crusts appear, inflammation is possible. Cockroach bites are accompanied by irritation and swelling. Pests are attracted by wet secretions on the human body - saliva and sweat.

The absence of a part of the epidermis inhibits regeneration, the wound does not heal well. Secondary infection is one of the problems. The many bacteria on the limbs and mouths of insects increase the likelihood of purulent infection. The diseased area itches for a long time. As a treatment, it is recommended to rinse with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide). Taking antihistamines will ease the condition.

Danger of cockroaches for pets

Pets are threatened by cockroaches. Cats are especially vulnerable, natural hunters can catch and eat the insect. The poison that has entered the animal's body is a health hazard. In a single case, poisoning is manifested by profuse salivation, restless behavior. If the cat has received a large dose of poison, vomiting begins. The animal must be immediately taken to the veterinary clinic and told about the alleged source of the problem.

Advice. After pest control for 2-3 days, it is advisable not to bring pets into the room. During this time, all insects will die, be collected and destroyed.

Attack on a person

Let's figure out if cockroaches are dangerous directly to humans. Attack, of course, is a big word, but the interaction of insects with a person directly is quite possible. If the population of the room with cockroaches is quite high, and access to water is difficult, insects may try to extract life-giving moisture from the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose of a sleeping person. At the same time, they simultaneously eat particles of skin from the nasolabial fold and from the lips, they can feast on food particles that have dried on the skin near the mouth.

Their powerful gnawing mouth apparatus is quite capable of causing significant damage, especially to children, leaving bleeding wounds and skin erosion.

The danger is not only bites, but to a greater extent those microbes and worm eggs that are delivered by cockroaches directly into the mouth. A large individual, in addition, can crawl into the nasal passage and get stuck there. And since these arthropods are extremely tenacious, they will not die immediately, but will, by their attempts to get out, irritate the mucous membrane and provoke swelling and nasal congestion.

Cockroach harm

In addition to health hazards, insects cause other harm. The colony moves along furniture and walls, leaving footprints and excrement on the surface. The appearance of numerous black dots on wallpaper, cabinet doors, ceiling moldings is one of the signs of the presence of pests in the room.A large colony of cockroaches, due to lack of food, spoils interior items: wallpaper, books, furniture upholstery.

Information. Cockroaches mark their habitats with pheromones, so an unpleasant smell appears in the rooms. It is difficult to remove it even after the destruction of the population.

Heat-loving insects are constantly looking for places where the temperature is in the range of 26-33 °. They often find such conditions in household appliances. Pests are taken into microwave ovens, refrigerator heat exchanger, computer system unit. They can damage the insulation of the wires and cause a short circuit. The breakdown of expensive electronic equipment requires serious financial costs.

Spoiled food is another expense item. Mustached neighbors eat little (maximum 10 kg per year), but their presence in food makes it unusable, people have to throw away food.

Danger of insects to health

For people, several types of cockroaches are dangerous: red, American, black. Most often, a red cockroach settles in dwellings: the insect reaches a length of 1.6 cm, its body is colored brown in different shades.

The danger of cockroaches is that they cause severe allergic reactions. Allergies are caused by chitin particles that remain on furniture and things after insects molt. A strong allergen is the excrement of the Prussians; mixing with dust, they circulate in the air and enter the human respiratory tract.

Symptoms of an allergy to cockroaches and their waste products:

• runny nose;
• persistent swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• lacrimation;
• redness of the eyes;
• cough;
• rashes on the skin;
• itching in the eyes, over the body.

Cockroach allergens are especially dangerous for children, as they can cause bronchial asthma.

A person in whose apartment cockroaches live is exposed to another danger: small insects can crawl into the nose or auditory canals. This happens exclusively at night during sleep, so a person cannot resist. Subsequently, the cockroach gets stuck in a narrow hole, at the moment when it moves its legs and antennae, the person experiences pain. Only a doctor can help here.

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Cockroaches move freely between rooms, their speed reaches several kilometers per hour. Red cockroaches run at a speed of about one meter per second, so in one day they can visit the sewers and on the kitchen table. This becomes the main danger, since insects are capable of spreading various diseases.

Cockroaches are dangerous vectors of disease. Therefore, even one individual that looks into the kitchen should alert and awaken the hunter's instinct in you. On its paws, a cockroach is able to bring a causative agent of a dangerous disease, which will require a long and complex treatment:

1. Dysentery is a debilitating intestinal infection.
2. Some genitourinary infections.
3. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa.
4. Salmonellosis is a dangerous bacterial infection, accompanied by intoxication.
5. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain.
6. Pneumonia and tuberculosis are severe bacterial lesions of the lungs.
7. Helminthiasis is an infection with parasitic worms.
8. Various types of allergies.

It is especially worth dwelling on allergic reactions. The remains of the discarded chitinous cover after molting, the shell of the cocoon, where the eggs of cockroaches developed, their feces can cause allergies of varying severity. And if the constant runny nose from allergic rhinitis can still be overcome, then asthmatic attacks significantly reduce the quality of life and can be very dangerous.

It is estimated that a colony of 1,000 ginger cockroaches eats no more than 10 kg of solid food per year. This is not much in comparison with the amount of food that becomes unsuitable for human consumption and is unhealthy after the visit of red-haired guests.

How to deal with pests

Activities for the destruction of cockroaches are trusted by professional exterminators or carried out independently. If a small number of pests are found, remove them by the tenants themselves. The first step is to find places where insects accumulate. These are secluded places behind a gas stove, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, baseboards. Traps - glue and electric - are effective and safe for residents. In the first, the pests stick, in the second, they are killed by the current discharge.

The traditional option is to lay out poisoned baits. They are prepared from boiled yolk and boric acid. The balls are laid out in the habitats. Boric acid powder destroys the intestines of insects and causes dehydration. Borax has a similar effect. The method is not recommended for owners of animals who can eat poisoned bait.

Six-legged insecticides are available in gels and sticks. They are applied around the perimeter of the apartment, in places where insects have entered. The gels have a scent that attracts cockroaches, and the poison in the composition of the drug kills them. Dusts are scattered on the path of pests. They carry the substance on their paws and infect the rest of the colony. The compositions are valid for a long period. Experts advise using insecticidal chalk as a prophylactic agent. They paint stripes at the entrance doors, windows, baseboards and sockets.

A large population cannot be destroyed without treating the premises with aerosols "Combat", "Clean House", "Raptor". This is the fastest-acting remedy. The disadvantages include toxicity to humans and animals. Residents and pets need to leave the apartment while spraying. During the disinfestation of the premises, care must be taken. Strong chemicals can cause poisoning. It is advisable to carry out the processing in a protective suit; the use of a respirator, gloves and glasses is mandatory.

Harm the nervous system, disrupt sleep

However, the danger of cockroaches lies not only in the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. Longhorns crawling around the apartment cause irritation, disrupting the work of the nervous system. A person falls asleep in fear, which contributes to the development of insomnia. Inadequate sleep causes a deterioration in well-being, a decrease in immunity and the appearance of weakness. As a result, bacteria, germs and viruses can easily enter an unprotected organism.

In babies, the likelihood of a phobia is not excluded, the official name of which is blattophobia. This is a serious mental illness that causes an inadequate response to cockroaches in an adult.

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In people with blattophobia, attacks are accompanied by increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, redness in the face and increased sweating.

The patient can scream loudly, climb up on a chair, scream with fear. Parasites come to them in dreams.

Medical treatment of this disease is not enough. It will take a long time to go to an appointment with a psychotherapist, work on yourself, rebuild your subconscious.

Preventive measures

Protection of an apartment from cockroaches consists in regular cleaning, timely removal of garbage, and the use of containers for storing food. These actions will deprive the insects of access to food. Lack of free water, dry shells - will make them suffer without moisture. Without comfortable conditions, insects will go further in search of refuge.

Cockroaches, which are pests in human homes, are beneficial in natural conditions.They dispose of plant and food residues. Insects are food for birds, reptiles, and small animals. In Asian countries, they are one of the local dishes.

Damaging valuable books and equipment

Another significant harm from cockroaches to humans is food spoilage. Not their destruction, but damage.

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Scientists were able to calculate that about 10 kilograms of dry food is eaten by one thousand cockroaches during the year. At first glance, not that many. But let's imagine a situation when you saw a Prusak crawling on a plate of food. It immediately comes to mind that this insect could only recently run through a garbage chute or sewer. Of course, you will not eat this food anymore.

The same goes for other food items. If you regularly see parasites crawling through the kitchen, then most likely they have already gone through all the products that are not put in the refrigerator or in a tightly closed container. All these products must be thrown away, as there is a risk of getting a serious illness.

If the cockroach was able to get inside the refrigerator, then, of course, it will run through all the products located on its shelves. From that moment on, food from the refrigerator can be safely thrown away, since they have already become inedible.

Cockroaches are almost omnivorous insects. Their diet may not only consist of crumbs and food waste. They can easily damage the insulation of electrical appliances. The structure of the insect's mouth apparatus allows them to gnaw objects made of solid materials.

When the Prussians cannot find food for themselves, they begin to gnaw on everything that comes their way. Therefore, they are likely to damage the wiring. This, in turn, can cause short circuits and provoke a fire in the apartment.

Insulation damaged by cockroaches often leads to the fact that the devices fail. There is nothing left except to throw out the out-of-order devices and buy new ones instead.

Also, if the Prussians lack food, they begin to gnaw the covers of books, even if these copies are of some value. Cockroaches are not interested in this at all!

The Prussians love to lay their eggs behind the wallpaper, thereby damaging them.

Bites

There is an opinion that cockroaches do not bite people. You can conditionally agree with this: they really do not bite in the direct sense of the word. Cockroaches gnaw at the skin. Although this is quite a rare occurrence, with a very large number of cockroaches in the apartment and the lack of access to water and food, this is quite likely.

It is difficult to name cockroaches and parasites from the point of view that they do not live on a person and do not feed on his blood purposefully, unlike, for example, bed bugs, fleas or lice. But under certain circumstances, they have no choice, and only then they begin to "encroach" on people:

• due to lack of water, cockroaches crawl onto the face of a sleeping person at night and drink discharge from the eyes, saliva, licking them;
• with a lack of food, these insects gnaw the epithelium from the fingers, lips, around the eyelashes.

If there are children in the house, the cockroaches will go to them first of all when they are hungry for themselves. The reason for this is the delicate baby skin, which is much easier to nibble.

In place of such cockroach meals, small wounds remain, into which any of the infections from the insect's body can easily get. Wounds often do not heal well, and an abscess may form in their place. And if the insect feasted on the skin from the lips, then by accidentally licking them, you can bring the bacteria directly into the digestive tract.

Effective remedies

The appearance of cockroaches in the house is quite an unpleasant phenomenon.We need to get rid of them as soon as possible. To do this, you should study all suitable chemicals and decide which is the most effective remedy for cockroaches suitable in a particular case.

Combat

The range of products of the Kombat trademark is quite extensive. Such drugs are aimed at combating different types of insects.

To combat cockroaches, the following are most often used:

• Aerosols. This form of the product is very convenient to use. The kit contains a special nozzle for spraying the drug in hard-to-reach places.
• Traps. This plastic device from the Kombat cockroaches is effective against a small number of insects, since the poisonous substance placed in the bait has an effect on only one pest.
• Gel. Such a tool is produced in the form of a syringe. Such a fat-based insecticide has a long duration, therefore, consumer reviews are only positive about the Kombat gel from cockroaches.

Raid

Such a drug is produced in various modifications. These can be traps or aerosols. Aerosol Reid is undoubtedly the most powerful remedy for cockroaches, as it has an effect not only on adults, but also on the larvae and eggs of the pest. The main part of the colony dies instantly after spraying the product. Reid preparations for cockroaches have long established themselves and are very popular.

Global

The drug is available in tubes of various sizes. It is a highly effective contact insecticide.

Therefore, it will be enough to use the drug only once to destroy all pests. Due to its high efficiency, Global cockroach remedy has only good reviews.

Raptor

On the insecticide market, Raptor is available in three forms - gel, aerosol and traps. Each type of drug is good in its own way and is intended for individual specific cases. The most popular is aerosol, because it is easy to use, has a fast action and is highly effective.

The drug Raptor from cockroaches gel is not inferior in efficiency to an aerosol, it has some features. It contains: insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin, food attractants, preservatives. The design and operation of the traps is similar to that of other manufacturers of cockroach preparations. These are plastic devices with bait placed inside.

Regent

Initially, this drug was used in agriculture to combat the Colorado potato beetle. Later, due to its persistent effect and low price, it began to be used for pest control at home. The remedy for cockroaches Regent in the retail network can be found in the form of a solution in ampoules and as a granular powder. The active substance fipronil, which is part of the drug, is one of the most poisonous for insects.