Yes, it's dangerous to ingest food after they've crawled over it, so your pantry is at risk. But it's also dangerous to stomp or smash them because the particles can get sent into the air where they can be swallowed or inhaled. And when you retrieve the dead bug your hands can become contaminated.
You have to hit it very hard—and even then, it will not always die. There is a reason these bugs have crawled the earth for so long: they are tough, and if you aren't careful, they can infest your home and spread disease.
Over millions of years, cockroaches have evolved to become some of the toughest insects. Their thick exterior provides a high level of protection—hence why you aren't usually able to kill a cockroach just by stepping on it once. Cockroaches are masters when it comes to hiding, too.
Squishing a cockroach is not recommended because, as we mentioned earlier, this will cause the cockroach to release oleic acid which can attract more cockroaches.
Killing cockroaches is cruel and futile. Unless you make your home less attractive and accessible to them, more cockroaches will move in, not realizing it's a death trap for them.
The gut juices of a crushed cockroach can spread bacteria
In addition, some cockroaches may even carry a parasite that causes giardiasis, an amoeba that causes dysentery, and a virus that leads to polio.
Cockroaches are not likely to bite living humans, except perhaps in cases of extreme infestations where cockroach population are large, especially when food becomes limited. In most situations, cockroaches would not bite humans if there are other food sources such as in garbage cans or exposed food.
Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid.
Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.
If you've only seen one cockroach, it is possible that it was traveling alone, but the odds are not in your favor. Unless you were lucky enough to spot that first, lonely, advance scout that came into your home, one roach almost always indicates multiple roaches.
If you touch a cockroach, you risk becoming infected with some serious diseases, including bacteria that cause dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches commonly transmit these diseases to humans: Salmonellosis. Typhoid Fever.
“If you step on a female who is carrying an egg sac, which is sticky, you may get eggs all over your shoes.” That said, killing one roach does a lot of good. “One pregnant roach, within six months, will result in about 18,400 roaches,” said Krysko. “The population can get out of hand really quickly.”
Aside from the pitter-patter of their feet, the average cockroach in your home will not make much noise. However, several less-common species have been seen making hissing or mild chirping noises. Male Madagascar hissing cockroaches utilize hissing to frighten smaller males.
But here's the other thing – sometimes killing it doesn't actually stop it. Cockroaches can withstand serious injuries and survive for months without food. They can even keep on going after they've lost their heads!
Don't panic. There's plenty you can do to get the issue under control. Start by cleaning up any food residue or spillages, and don't leave mess lying around. Check for signs like cockroach droppings and set up sticky traps until the pest experts arrive.
Besides being unpleasant to see around, they also carry substances such as feces on their body. They can release these substances into the air, causing allergic reactions or asthma attacks. The debris from dead roaches, body parts, or poop also can trigger allergies or asthma.
While cockroaches can crawl on humans at night, it is relatively rare. Cockroaches are more interested in finding food and shelter than in seeking human contact. However, if you have a severe infestation or roaches are attracted to food or crumbs in your bed, they may enter your sleeping area.
The results of the investigation on what color will repel the greatest number of cockroaches, indicate that red light repels a greater number of roaches than the other five colored lights and the control group of no light. Green light deterred the second most roaches followed by white, yellow, and blue.
By nature, cockroaches are nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night. This is partly because it helps them avoid predators, but it also provides them with a sense of safety as they search for food and water sources undetected by occupants of the structure.
Insects and Arachnids
Strangely enough, one of the most prevalent kind of predator that cockroaches face are fellow insects! The emerald cockroach wasp, Ampulex compressa, for example, has an unusual way of preying upon cockroaches. The wasp stings the cockroach's brain, which paralyzes the cockroach.
Strong Odors
An unsealed bowl of sugar or open box of sweet cereal can also seduce their senses. Nice smells aren't the only ones they love. The smell of garbage, a compost pile or dirty laundry whets their appetites. They find collections of grocery bags and empty boxes with the faint smell of food delicious.
Cockroaches are known carriers of various pathogens, including bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can contaminate surfaces they touch. Squashing cockroaches can spread these pathogens onto surfaces, increasing the risk of disease transmission to humans.
If you think you have cockroaches, do not panic. Finding roaches is not a sign that your house is dirty. Even if you clean regularly and maintain a tidy home, cockroaches can usually find food and water without much trouble. This allows them to thrive in many environments.
Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus can be effective in repelling cockroaches due to their strong scents, along with other unwanted pests. Conveniently, they can also be some of the best essential oils for sleep, so you're accomplishing two purposes at once.