Although white cockroaches in an apartment can be found not so often, however, sometimes they still catch your eye - this is where the question arises of what kind of strange albinos these are, are they not dangerous for humans and in general, where suddenly undertook.
Well, if you come across such an unusual white cockroach in the kitchen or in the bathroom, then for a start it is worth keeping in mind that it is practically no different from the usual red cockroaches except color - this is not a mutant and not a mistake of nature. Moreover, every red cockroach is milky white several times in its life. True, such transformations do not happen often, and the white color itself does not last long in the insect, therefore the probability of seeing a pest in such an outfit is rather small.
What is the reason for this reincarnation? Let's figure it out ...
Why are there white cockroaches?
Domestic rams are arthropods. During growth, the hard shell does not grow with the insect; it has to be discarded. The process is called molting, during the life of the parasite it occurs approximately 6 to 8 times. Molting lasts several hours, after which the cockroach will be white.
The new carapace will darken after a few hours, sometimes several days. This time he remains soft, flexible, does not protect his master. The cockroach has to hide in dark secluded places during molting, to wait for the cover to harden. This explains the fact that white individuals are rarely seen.
Margarita, Gorno-Altaysk:
“White cockroaches seem nicer to look at. I saw it once. I didn’t believe it, I thought it was a beautiful bug. It seems that all the insides were visible. It is really difficult to find them, they know how to hide. But, probably, the carapace just quickly darkens. It is best to get rid of these parasites, rather than admire them. "
Features of character and lifestyle
Photo: White transparent cockroach
Cockroaches most often live in large colonies, trying to find a common habitat. They do not have any clear hierarchy. Although you can often find information that they have dominant individuals, as well as those that get food for them. Cockroaches do not have any special skills, as well as skills. That is why these insects are not considered highly organized.
They live mainly in a human dwelling or near it. Since it is this that is the key to sufficient food for these arthropods. Otherwise, they do not have any special lifestyles. In addition, cockroaches are carriers of such dangerous infectious diseases as disinfection, defthyria, various common poisoning and skin diseases. That is why there has been such an active struggle against them on the part of people for many years.
Cockroaches are more likely nocturnal inhabitants. They are much less active during the day. This is due primarily to the fact that they prefer to simply hide from people. That is why it can be difficult to find them during the day.
Unlike many other insects, cockroaches do not hibernate. This is due to the fact that they live near a human dwelling and therefore are supplied with sufficient water, drink and comfortable living conditions all year round.Reproduction in these arthropods therefore also takes place all year round, without any cycle depending on the season.
White cockroach habitats
For safety, white individuals prefer to wait out the molt time in hard-to-reach corners. For this, places are suitable, behind the toilet, bathroom, under the kitchen sink, also in the basement. A prerequisite for the presence of white parasites is to find food nearby. During molting, cockroaches are incredibly voracious. A lot of nourishment is needed for the firmness of a new shell.
During this dangerous period, domestic parasites like to climb into electrical appliances:
- televisions;
- microwaves;
- laptops;
- system blocks;
- toasters.
To remove pests from there, you cannot use household chemicals or folk recipes. The devices should be exposed to severe frost, cockroaches cannot stand the cold. The microwave oven must be turned on to the strongest mode, the parasites will leave it. Televisions and computers should be cleaned and disassembled if possible.
Albino cockroach or a new species?
Everyone knows what a cockroach that lives in any apartment looks like. This is a recognizable insect of black or red color. Their body is slightly elongated and oval in shape. The paws are powerful, well-developed, equipped with special suction cups that allow you to overcome surfaces of any inclination. The mustache is long and hypersensitive, and is one of the most important organs of the adult body. They play a tactile role, help to communicate with other relatives. The wings are long, but none of the representatives uses them for their intended purpose. Maximum - they can soften their unsuccessful fall from one surface to another.
White cockroaches have exactly the same characteristics. The only difference is only in their color. They are not a separate family classification or albino. These are the most common cockroaches at a certain stage of development. Their external signs are only part of the life process that all individuals go through.
Small and large white cockroaches
Cockroach larvae that have just hatched from their eggs may appear white. Their cover is very thin; the chitinous shell contains little dark pigment. After a few hours, the pigment will cover the entire shell, and the cockroach will acquire its traditional color.
Sometimes toxic substances can affect the color of an adult parasite. If the folk method was used to get rid of cockroaches, bleach was used, then as a result, it could lighten the chitinous cover. The surviving pest will remain with a whitish shell until the next molt.
Reasons for the appearance
The cockroach is an insect with a narrow and oval body, the length of which is normally 1.5 cm. It moves perfectly along vertical surfaces, which is facilitated by 6 legs with hooks and suction cups. The wings of males almost cover the belly; in females they are shorter. Long antennae are located on the head.
The color of a common parasite found at home can be from light red to almost black, it all depends on its species. But how did the white cockroaches appear, which are still unusual for us to see in the apartment?
There are several reasons for the appearance of insects of an unusual color. The first is related to the molting process. After fertilization, the female bears in a special capsule - ooteca - from 12 to 40 eggs. Until the moment of maturation, the ooteca is located at the bottom of its belly. Having dropped the capsule, the female expects the appearance of nymph larvae.
They have a soft white carapace that begins to darken and become denser after a couple of hours. The larva molts at least 6 times during development. Coming out of the old chitinous cover, the nymph turns white and takes on its usual appearance only after 5 - 6 hours. That is, white insects often seen in an apartment are larvae that get out of secluded places at night in search of food.Sometimes white individuals fall into glue traps placed there.
Another reason for the appearance of white cockroaches is the use of chlorine-containing insecticides for baiting them. Parasites, having eaten such a remedy and not dying, temporarily change the standard color to white. The chitinous cover acquires the usual color as the toxic substance is removed from the body.
Very rarely, the cause of the appearance of light-colored cockroaches is a mutation, as a result of a high level of radiation. Since in this case, radiation penetrates the structure of the insect's body at the cellular level, changing not only the color of the cockroach's body, but also the degree of their adaptability to environmental conditions. Therefore, in the absence of the above two reasons, the presence of a cluster of white cockroaches at home may indicate increased radiation.
The difference between white cockroaches and ordinary ones
White parasites differ from ordinary brown or red counterparts in increased appetite. The new shell requires increased nutrition, so white individuals will make their way to food sources, water is much more active, and eat more.
Another difference is increased sensitivity to contact toxic substances. It will be easier for the poisons to penetrate the soft shell; now you need very little poison to get a lethal dose. The ability of insects to adapt during this period is somewhat reduced. All forces are spent on restoring the protective shell.
White cockroaches become inhibited, disoriented during molting. They are easy to destroy, they do not seek to escape, falling into sunlight, open space. But this state does not last long, only a few hours, sometimes several days.
How to deal with them?
There are many insecticides in the form of powders, gels, spray, parasite traps. They are relevant for cockroaches of any color.
Boric acid
An affordable, inexpensive, effective way to get rid of cockroaches, including white ones, is boric acid. It is almost harmless to humans, but has a detrimental effect on insects. White powder is affordable, sold in pharmacies. Its advantage is that it has a detrimental effect on the Prusak esophagus, the nervous system, and paralyzes them. While populations of parasites can adapt to many of the ingredients in insecticides, boric acid is not addictive. The disadvantages include a long processing time. It will take one to two weeks for the insects to completely disappear.
Boric acid is used in three forms:
- alcohol;
- powdery;
- food bait.
It is recommended to wipe countertops and taps with an alcohol solution. It is less effective than bait powder. There is a connection between insects, they notify each other of a possible danger. The smell of alcohol scares them.
Note. Before using boric acid powder, study the places of accumulation, the pattern of movement of cockroaches. In these places, the powder is scattered in a continuous path.
Traps are made in two ways:
- Water solution. First, you need to thoroughly wipe all surfaces so that there is no accumulation of water. Then dilute the sachet of powder in water. Pour it into a shallow dish. Placed in places where the Prussians gather, on the paths.
- Making traps. To do this, you need to boil an egg, 1 potato tuber. Mash them until they are mashed into a figurative state. Add a bag of boric acid, mix thoroughly, roll into small balls. Spread out baits in places where cockroaches congregate.
5 recipes with boric acid from cockroaches
The use of boric acid is a simple, time-tested method of controlling cockroaches, including white ones during the molting period.
Sprays and aerosols
The principle of operation is based on spraying insecticides under the influence of pressure in a can, using a built-in pump.
When working with such means, precautions are used:
- The room is prepared before processing. Remove all food, Isolate pets. If you have an aquarium, temporarily turn off the compressor, cover with a cloth. At the time of work, windows and doors must be closed.
- Protective equipment is used: gloves, a cap on the head, a respirator or a gauze bandage, preferably safety glasses. Most aerosols do not harm humans, but in high concentrations they are toxic and cause unwanted side effects.
- Spray drugs for cockroaches only at positive temperatures (more than 10⁰C).
- They try to process the maximum area of the room, including the upper shelves, communication niches, ventilation ducts. It is better to dismantle the skirting board, it is there that white cockroaches hide when they molt.
Advice! It is advisable that the processing be carried out by one person. After spraying the preparations, the room is left and left closed for several hours. Before sanitizing, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions for a specific drug in detail.
Dichlorvos, Dichlorvos Neo
A proven tool of Russian manufacturers. The advantage of "Dichlorvos Neo" is that it does not have a characteristic odor.
Effects on cockroaches: nerve.
The main active ingredient (EFA): "Dichlorvos" - organophosphorus ingredients (phosphorus + carbon), "Dichlorvos Neo" - peritroids.
Validity: up to two weeks.
Spray "Kombat"
Russian spray manufactured under a German license. An additional property is an antiseptic. Advantage: large processing area (over 60 sq. M.).
Impact: contact, affects the food tract of insects.
EFA: imiprotrin, cyferotrin.
"Baron"
Russian means of deep influence. Overcomes the protective barrier of the chitinous shell of the cockroach. The disadvantage is the high price.
Impact: nerve.
EFA: finpronil (3%).
"Raid"
Manufacturer: Russia. The advantage is prolonged action (up to three months).
EFA: a combination of poisons from the peritroid group.
The effect on cockroaches is combined: nerve-paralytic, contact. It affects white individuals during the period of chitinous membrane change.
"Raptor"
Manufacturer: China. Transmitted by contact method.
EFA: a combination of poisons (tetramethrin, peronyl butoxide, cypermethrin).
Impact: affects the nervous, digestive, and respiratory systems of insects.
Gels
The main form of packaging is a syringe, a sealed tube with a dispenser. Poisonous substances are contained in the amount of 2-3% of the mass. Works like bait. Contains substances that attract cockroaches (attractants). The composition includes fat-containing, culinary, synthetic ingredients. Some preparations contain special bitterness to scare away pets.
Advantage of Gel Insecticides:
- Most of the preparations are odorless. Does not enter the respiratory tract of humans, animals.
- The syringe is convenient to use, reaches hard-to-reach places.
- Gel does not spread throughout the room as compared to powder products.
- Economical consumption.
It is applied in two ways. The bait is squeezed onto paper and laid out in places where insects accumulate. In a dotted way (distance from 2 to 5 cm), it is applied to the paths, squeezed into cracks, cracks where cockroaches are hiding.
Drugs of double exposure, contact and poisonous, affects the esophagus. The insect brings gel particles into the nests, the places of accumulation. The deceased individual is eaten by other cockroaches, after which they die. It begins to act in a few hours, the duration of exposure is a month.
Popular insecticides:
- "Combat". Attractant: goose liver. EFA: finpronil, hydramethylnol. Contact drug, therefore, kills white individuals.
- "Absolute." It affects not only insects, but larvae. EFA: Chlorpyrifos. Paralytic effects.
- Dohlox. EFA: fipronil. The safety advantage of the product is allowed for use in preschool institutions.
- "Trap Storm". ATS: diazinon, cypermethrin. Contact agent, the intestines of insects are affected. The exposure period is 2 months.
Gel insecticides are represented by a large number of preparations, in syringes weighing from 30 to 125 grams.
Review of the best cockroach remedies of 2020
Danger to humans
White cockroaches during molting pose the same danger to humans as at other times. They carry dangerous diseases, worm eggs, spread infections.
The discarded hard shell collapses over time, mixes with dust. A person will constantly inhale small particles of the chitinous cover of domestic pests. This can cause allergies, which will manifest itself:
- persistent dry cough;
- runny nose;
- rash or itching of the skin;
- swelling on the face.
In a severe case, with the simultaneous inhalation of a large amount of such microparticles, an asthma attack may develop.
It is especially dangerous for small children in such rooms. Their immunity is unable to protect against allergens, the baby's body will suffer. When cockroaches appear, it is imperative to carry out wet cleaning, paying particular attention to the places near the baseboards, behind cabinets, and upholstered furniture.
In search of food, water, good shelter, domestic parasites can sometimes get into a person's ears. An ordinary cockroach can do this, but it can be difficult for him to crawl out, because a hard shell, long mustache, legs prevent it from turning around. It will be easier for a white relative to climb into the ear canal, since its shell is softer.
Only a doctor can get a cockroach out of the ear. The cockroach will not come out on its own, due to its structure, it is not able to move back, it will not be able to turn around. You can't try to pull it out yourself, it can only cause additional pain.
The closer the insect gets to the eardrum, the more painful the person will be, you need to immediately go to the hospital. It is not difficult to understand that a cockroach has crawled into the ear - you will hear its movement with loud sounds. When another insect hits, it is usually picked out.
Why is the white pest dangerous?
White, like a dark red cockroach, is equally dangerous for a person's home, his health. They carry infection, pathogenic microbes, bacteria. The Prussians eat the remains of organic food. In search of it, they climb everywhere: in trash bins, kitchen tables, hanging cabinets, in leaky packed food.
Prusaks leave traces throughout their habitat, excrement, discarded chitinous shells. In the house where cockroaches are bred, a specific smell appears. They mark their paths to food, water, nests with enzymes. The specific "aroma" comes from the chitinous shell. Unpleasant dangerous odors provoke an allergic reaction in people prone to it.
Some individuals crawl inside household, computer equipment, block its work. The complexity of the problem is that sometimes you have to disassemble technical devices in order to clean them efficiently.
How to get rid of
The domestic parasite becomes defenseless without its hard shell. It is easier to destroy it. Contact toxic substances will work better, penetrate the insect's body faster and cause paralysis. The use of poisonous agents is also becoming profitable. During molting, insects become incredibly voracious. Together with food, poison will enter the body, which will destroy them.
Boric acid
The tested agent is boric acid. Household pests cannot get used to it, adapt their digestive system. The powder acts through the viscera, abrading the organs, causing paralysis. Boric acid also penetrates the chitinous shell, which does not serve as an obstacle in white individuals. Small particles of acid have sharp edges, and they cause wounds to parasites that do not heal.Damage to the organs of vision, respiration.
Sprays
Modern aerosols and dispensers are good products. Through the air, poisonous substances make their way to the most remote places, where domestic parasites without a hard shell hide. Dichlorvos Varan is very popular. From the old remedy, he only has the name and increased efficiency. The old pungent smell of kerosene is gone. There have been significant changes in the composition of the drug, but it also successfully destroys insect pests.
It is not necessary to create conditions in the apartment that are comfortable for cockroaches, then they will not settle in this room. Insects love heaps of things, they are comfortable living in such heaps. When parsing, you can immediately see how the parasites scatter in different directions. White individuals are a little disoriented and move slowly. They are easy to destroy, they are not as nimble as brown or red tribesmen.
Gels
Insecticidal gels, such as Dohlox, help. It is enough to smear with such a remedy in places where cockroaches are concentrated, as the process of their destruction begins. Insects eat a product that smells attractive to them. They do not die immediately, they manage to reach the nest. Thus, contributing to the spread of the poisonous composition.
Kindred will eat a dead cockroach, because they will feel a fragrant bait, they will also be poisoned. So along the chain, the destruction of the colony of parasites will gradually occur. Only the gel does not work on the eggs, you will have to wait until the new individuals hatch, they will also taste the poisonous delicacy.
Pest control methods
White cockroaches are destroyed thanks to the use of the same methods that are relevant in the fight against ordinary individuals. If, after using previously tested, effective means, the shedding insects have not disappeared, and their color has changed to a darker one, it is worth replacing the chemical.
Quite often, cockroach families mutate while in an apartment for a long time. Thus, insects acquire increased resistance to the effects of active substances in the composition of insecticides.
Before baiting insects, it is worth turning off the water in the apartment, wiping dry wet surfaces, since even on one drop of water the pest can hold out for several days.
The most effective solution in the fight against cockroaches is the call of exterminators. It is advisable to carry out a comprehensive processing of the apartment. In this case, you will have to leave it for a while. If white cockroaches run across from neighbors, it is worth agreeing with the latter about the simultaneous processing of the premises.
A boric acid-based agent has proven itself quite well in the fight against insects. To prepare the poison, the chemical reagent must be mixed with flour or a boiled egg. It is recommended to lay out poisonous bait in areas of congestion of cockroaches, in areas that act as potential places of feeding for insects.
As for the use of chemical aerosols, poisoned crayons and baits, and other factory-made means, first of all, you should pay attention to products from trusted manufacturers, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by consumers.
Signs about white cockroaches
Our ancestors associated the legends about white cockroaches in the house with prosperity, wealth, luck. To appease fate, it was necessary to feed the domestic inhabitants in the guise of mustachioed insects. According to popular belief, it was not customary to complain about cockroaches and drive them out of the house. If cockroaches, for some reason, left their homes, then this was considered a bad omen. A misfortune must have happened, like a fire. If a domestic parasite fell on the patient from above, from the ceiling, the person will still get sick, but then he will definitely recover.
The white cockroach is able to bring joy, happiness to the house, calmness, peace. If not killed, then it will reward the owners. It can be not only material, but also spiritual gratitude.For example, quarrels will subside in the family, the right solution will be found. Financially, a snow-white individual helps with unexpected gifts.
The insect ran out to the middle of the room during the day - wait for the addition to the family. To see a domestic parasite on the window during the day - someone will have a long journey, maybe someone will return from a long trip. The cockroach fell into the cradle with the baby - the baby does not have enough breast milk.
It is considered a good omen not only to see a white parasite, but to notice it on your clothes. This means that good luck, prosperity, and all other gifts from this representative of arthropods will be received specifically by this person. The destruction of the white cockroach in ancient legends is not discussed. Apparently, such an outcome of the case was not even foreseen.
According to Gustav Miller's dream book, the white mustachioed domestic parasite was a symbol of purity. The accumulation of these snow-white individuals in dreams meant the appearance of good joyful news in life, the onset of peace in the soul. Crawling insects on the walls will bring good luck to the house. A good omen is when insects run in one direction. White female with brood of small cubs - several years of prosperity.
How to avoid the reappearance of cockroaches?
To avoid the next appearance of pests in the apartment, after their destruction, the following recommendations should be observed:
- carefully remove the remnants of food from the table, floor;
- empty the trash can regularly;
- hide food from the table;
- prevent an increase in the level of humidity in the apartment, timely repairing plumbing fixtures, shutting off taps and eliminating leaks in pipes;
- try to close up the cracks in the house, which can become a suitable loophole for insects from neighboring apartments.
