Have you ever heard a joke that cockroaches can survive the apocalypse? Some many ways and products that promise to eliminate this pest permanently. However, some methods are more effective than others.
Found all over the world, they are one of the most resilient and adaptable creatures on Earth. They can enter your home when searching for food or water.
They can survive in almost any condition, even while drowning, and humans have been trying to get rid of cockroaches for centuries.
To help you choose the best way to exterminate these annoying insects, we’ve put together this guide for you.
Can You Drown A Cockroach?
In short, no. Cockroaches are highly adapted to be able to survive in almost any environment. While they can’t hold their breath like fish, they have similar adaptations to enable them to stay underwater for long periods without drowning.
However, they can drown if left fully submerged in water for more than 60 minutes. It’s hard to kill them through water, and there are other alternative ways to kill them quickly.
Do Roaches Survive In Water?
Roaches can survive underwater. They can live on the surface of water or right below the surface. This makes it possible for some species to survive in temporary pools of water.
However, they cannot live indefinitely underwater. To drown a cockroach, you would have to hold it underwater for several minutes, even hours.
The longer the period, the more likely the roach will die from lack of oxygen and not from the water itself.
Roaches breathe via a tube attached to their abdomen called the tracheal trachea. If placed in large enough bodies of water, this breathing tube will allow them to survive for up to an hour before they drown.
Can Cockroaches Swim Underwater?
A cockroach is a resilient creature. It’s been around for at least 300 million years, and it has managed to survive some of the harshest conditions on Earth. They can also survive several days without food, up to one month!
But in recent years, it has also shown remarkable skills in surviving in water.
A cockroach can survive underwater for up to 40 minutes. The bodies of cockroaches are very different from those of other insects.
Most other insects have rigid exoskeletons, which are not very good at protecting them in water.
On the other hand, cockroaches have flexible skeletons that help them swim underwater.
Common Types Of Roaches
An infestation of cockroaches in your home can be a devastating experience. The first thing you need to do if you’re wondering how to get rid of roaches is to understand what types of roaches you have and where they live in your home.
German Cockroach
The most common cockroach in the United States is the German cockroach, brownish or tan. They are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms and can fit through a hole that is the size of a quarter.
These cockroaches are smaller than other types, but they are more likely to reproduce.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is a reddish-brown cockroach species common in North America.
It has been introduced to many other parts of the world. The American cockroach is one of the most prominent types of roach globally.
American cockroaches are considered a pest species and may live in sewers and basements where you can sometimes see them foraging for food.
They enter homes primarily through the sewer or plumbing repairs or by taking shelter in boxes and bags.
They are nocturnal, preferring to hide during the day behind appliances, in cabinets, under sinks, and in bathrooms. In warm weather, they may be found outdoors.
Oriental Cockroach
The cockroach is a giant cockroach species sometimes known as the water bug or black beetle. It is prevalent in tropical countries and can be found in buildings, sewers, drains, and basements.
This species is highly adaptable and spreads quickly; in the United States, it has spread across most of the southern states, including Texas and Florida.
In California, it is sometimes found in homes, although it hasn’t survived the winters there yet. Oriental cockroaches are among the most common roaches found in homes and businesses.
They are often mistaken for German roaches since they have similar characteristics, but the two species differ in a few ways.
For example, Oriental cockroaches grow more extensive and have wings that don’t work very well.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
The brown-banded cockroach is a species of the genus “Supella” of the family Ectobiidae. It is also known as the short-banded cockroach and is native to the US.
Brown-banded cockroaches are about ¼ to ½ inches long. They have two narrow, light-colored bands across their wings (the pale areas right next to the dark brown) where it shows through.
The bands are also visible on the outer edges of their bodies, giving them more of a reddish appearance than many other types of roaches.
How To Get Rid Of A Cockroach In Your Home
If you have cockroaches in your home, it’s a good idea to get rid of them before they infest the entire place. There are many ways to get rid of these little pests, but some are more effective than others:
Remove Excess Food And Water Sources
It’s always good to start with the basics. The first step is to make your home as unwelcome for roaches as possible; keep in mind that these little critters are attracted to both food and water, so try to cut down on both of those things.
Removing clutter and sealing food containers will also help reduce the number. Wash your dishes immediately, and don’t leave dirty dishes or unwashed cups out overnight. Make sure food doesn’t sit out for long periods.
Vacuuming
Vacuum your house daily and dispose of the bag immediately. Just use your regular vacuum to suck up any cockroaches you see or have seen around your home.
Using Boric Acid
Boric acid is a white, powdery chemical substance that has been used for many years in anti-roach products. It has also been used for many years as a roach poison.
The smell and taste of food, moisture on surfaces, and other cockroaches will often attract cockroaches.
Boric acid is the main ingredient in cockroach baits. Boric acid has a pleasant taste in cockroaches.
Roaches eat a little bit of it, then they go into the kitchen and carry some back to the nest, where some of it gets eaten by other roaches. Pretty soon, all the roaches are eating it and dying from it.
Seal The Cracks In Your House With Caulk Or Putty
If you have a cockroach problem, the first thing you need to do is figure out where they are coming from.
You can usually find them in sticky traps under your sink or in your pantry. The next step is to keep an eye on the sticky traps and check them daily.
It is important to seal cracks around windows, doors, and other openings to keep cockroaches out of your home. Cockroaches are attracted to dark, damp areas, so keeping drains covered will help keep them away.
Using Cockroach Killer Spray
Everyone knows that the most basic way to exterminate a cockroach infestation is by spraying them with roach killer insecticide. While it may seem like a simple solution, this method can be dangerous for humans.
People usually get sprayed with pesticides when dealing with cockroaches. These might work for a short time but can be harmful.
When using this method, you must wear protective clothing and a mask to avoid breathing in the chemicals.
Buy an insecticide spray that kills cockroaches and their eggs. Spraying directly onto surfaces would be effective, and spraying into the corners where they tend to gather.
You can also treat the storage cardboard boxes before placing them back in storage by spraying along the edges.
Calling A Pest Exterminator
A pest control company will use an insecticide spray to get rid of roaches, and the fine particles of the spray will stick to the cockroach’s body.
When it walks, it will spread the insecticide to its legs, which will make it impossible for it to breathe.
When a cockroach contacts poison, they usually die within a few hours. Even if they don’t, they’ll be so sick that they won’t be able to eat or do anything else but hide.
If other cockroaches are in the area, they’ll discover their dying buddy and join them, and soon all will die out.
Conclusion
Cockroaches are resilient bugs, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your home. If you see signs of an infestation, take action quickly to get rid of them once and for all.
Drowning a cockroach is complicated and should only be attempted last resort. If you have tried to trap the roach and that doesn’t seem to be working, try cutting off all water sources for the roach. This can force it out into the open, where you can finish it off more easily.
