The cockroach (Blatta orientalis), also known as the oriental cockroach or common cockroach, is a species of cosmopolitan insect from the order of cockroaches, occurring in many climatic and ecological zones. There are about 4,000 species of these insects in the world.
Characteristic features of cockroaches are long and strong legs armed with thorns. Cockroaches live mainly in groups and can reproduce quickly.
At one time, the female cockroach lays 16 to 18 eggs in the form of an ootheca (egg capsule). If conditions are favourable, cockroach larvae hatch after just 42 days. Cockroaches are a synanthropic, omnivorous species that prefer warm and moist places.
They have brownish-yellow bodies and well-developed hind wings, which allow them to move through narrow cracks.
Cockroaches need constant access to food, warmth and moisture, which is why they often make their home in kitchens. You can bring them into your home from a second-hand clothing store, old furniture, toys or other used items. They can also get into your home through the ventilation duct, pipes, and cracks in the walls or simply enter through a window.
Do cockroaches bite?
It is not true that cockroaches bite people, but they can spread dangerous viruses and bacteria. They carry diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, cholera and plague. They also contaminate food with their moults and faeces, which can lead to food poisoning.
Cockroaches feed at night, and during the day they hide in the cracks between kitchen cabinets, in holes above the sink, cracked tiles or under skirting boards.
Home remedies for cockroaches
If you see just one cockroach in your home, take action immediately. There is a huge chance that there are more of them. You can try to get rid of them using natural methods, such as a mixture of baking powder and powdered sugar, crushed bay leaves or dried Dalmatian chrysanthemum flowers.
You can also use boiled eggs, which produce a sulfur and iron compound that is toxic to cockroaches. These insects do not like the strong smell of some plants, such as catnip or bay tree, so you can place these plants in strategic places in the kitchen.
If home remedies for cockroaches are ineffective, use professional insect traps or chemical sprays, powders or gels. These products are effective and can eliminate both adults and nymphs.
How to avoid cockroaches in your home?
The best way is to keep all rooms tidy. Throw out the trash regularly, store food in airtight containers, regularly check kitchen cabinets, and wipe down shelves that may have food scraps and dry goods. It is also important to remove any cracks and crevices where these insects could nest.
