THEY’RE creepy, they’re crawly and they’re everywhere in summer.
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Cockroaches are probably one of the most hated pests in the world, and the Hunter seems to be a breeding ground for them – especially in summer.
While you might get the odd cockroach here and there in winter, they multiply in summer.
University of Technology, Sydney entomologist Bryce Peters told Fairfax Media cockroaches perked up in humidity.
"The warmer the weather is, the more active they are,” Mr Peters said.
They are cold-blooded insects that thrive in warm, humid conditions. Mr Peters warns that we may also see a rise in the number of bigger cockroaches that can fly.
He reminds people to fill in gaps around the house with sealers to stop cockroaches from coming in.
"Cockroaches are thigmotactic, so they like to be in nice tight spaces like cracks and crevices," he said.
"[They] are more active at night, so you should minimise available food sources by cleaning regularly and removing rubbish from the home before going to bed."
Ten things you probably didn’t want to know about cockroaches
- Ever turn the light on in the kitchen and see a group of cockroaches run for their lives? That’s because they can run up to 4.8kms per hour.
- Cockroaches can live without their heads. Yep, that’s right. If you’ve ever chopped one’s head off, there’s a good chance it was crawling around for a while afterwards. A cockroach body can survive without a head for up to a week. It doesn’t need its head to breathe, so it can survive without one for a short time, but without a way to drink water, it will eventually die of dehydration.
- Cockroaches eat everything. Literally, everything. Nothing is safe.
- They travel in groups. If you see one, there’s probably a whole herd of them.
- Cockroaches can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps. Nowhere is sacred.
- Among the germs they spread, they can also cause asthma attacks. They can carry up to 33 different types of bacteria including salmonella and E. coli, which can make us sick. They can even be carriers of the poliovirus. Excuse me while I vomit.
- A female German cockroach (commonly found in Australia) can produce up to 300 offspring in her lifetime. That’s an extra 300 crawling around your home.
- The pests have been around since dinosaurs. They’re a resilient bunch.
- Cockroaches can fly. This is probably the most terrifying thing you will ever see. If you see flying cockroaches in your home, leave, run away, don’t come back. Not all cockroaches can fly, but the American cockroach, male brown-banded cockroaches, Australian cockroach, Western wood cockroach, Asian cockroach, smoky brown cockroach, male sand cockroaches, Cuban cockroach and male Pennsylvania cockroaches have the ability to fly. Excuse me while I run away.
- Drowning them won’t kill them. Roaches can hold their breath or go without air for 45 minutes and they can survive being thrust underwater for 30 minutes.
Don’t believe us? Watch this video.
There are many tried and tested ways of eliminating the creepy pests. The solution depends on the severity of the infestation and the household environment. As a general rule, the cleaner the house, the lesser chance of cockroaches.
Some use cockroach bombs, others use baits, and many hire professionals. What method has worked for you?
Have cockroaches invaded your home? Send your pics to dominica.sanda@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Dominica Sanda
Group Digital Journalist with the Newcastle Herald bringing news - in all forms - to the Hunter and beyond.
Group Digital Journalist with the Newcastle Herald bringing news - in all forms - to the Hunter and beyond.
