Why cockroaches are dangerous: can a small insect bring big problems?

The cockroach squad includes about 5,000 species, but few of them settle in people's homes. Synanthropic insects found food, water and heat in them - ideal conditions for life and reproduction. In addition to unpleasant emotions at the sight of parasites, such a neighborhood brings real harm to humans. What are cockroaches dangerous? These are carriers of intestinal infections, helminth eggs, bacteria and fungi. Contact with arthropods can cause allergies, and their penetration into electrical appliances can cause a short circuit.

Cockroach: a small enemy that creates big problems

Under natural conditions, cockroaches live on all continents except Antarctica. The greatest diversity of species is found in the tropics. In the middle and northern latitudes under the open sky, heat-loving insects cannot survive. Some have found a great way - to live next to a person. Such species of cockroaches are called synanthropic. They enter the buildings in various ways, in the summer they can move along the street, in the winter through communication channels.

Insects migrate in groups of several tens to hundreds of individuals. A large colony quickly spreads over a multi-story building. Pests prefer a nocturnal way of life, in the daytime they hide in crevices and other secluded places. The life cycle of cockroaches involves an incomplete transformation, they go through several phases: an egg, a larva (nymph), and an adult. Females lay their eggs in a special chitin capsule, which is worn almost until the embryos mature. The protective cover increases the survival of the offspring.

Information. All types of synanthropic cockroaches in Russia are imported from other countries.

The basics of the colony are larvae of early ages. Most of the time they hide in crevices and remain unharmed when treated with insecticides. Myths are composed about the survival of cockroaches, but the real facts are not very inferior to them. Insects are able to live a week without a head, up to 70 days without food and 10 days without water. They withstand a dose of radiation 5 times higher than permissible for humans. Arthropods are omnivores, eat any organic matter. The combination of these factors leads to the formation of mass colonies and an attack on human territory.

Types of synanthropic cockroaches

In Russia, red and black cockroaches spread, less common are American, East Asian and furniture. Among the listed species, red cockroaches or Prussians dominate in number. Thanks to the care of the offspring, a large percentage of embryos develop in the nymphs and further to the adult. Large black cockroaches drop capsules with eggs early, up to 60% of the offspring are exterminated by predators before exiting the ooteka. The main types of synanthropic cockroaches:

1. Red (Blattella germanica) - a German cockroach or Prusak is most often found in dwellings. He has an oval tan body with two dark stripes, an elongated head, a long mustache, and wings. This is the smallest species of synanthropes, its length is 9-13 mm. They run fast, and thanks to the suction cup between the claws they can move along vertical surfaces and the ceiling.The female lays a capsule with eggs every six weeks. Each contains 10-50 embryos. After 38-50 days, larvae appear. Before the adult stage, they grow in 3 months, at a temperature of 30 ° in 40 days. Insects prefer wet food: milk, boiled potatoes, white bread, cheese. They can replace the products purged with any organic matter, nibble on fabric, paper, glue.
2. Black (Blatta orientalis) - has a large size (18-30 mm) and pronounced sexual dimorphism. The body is black or brown, legs are short, lighter than the main color. In males, wings cover 2/3 of the abdomen, antennae equal to the length of the body. Females have a convex pronotum, short elytra and atrophied wings. Puberty occurs in 6-7 months, females leave 22 ooteks for life. The larvae are black, shiny. Insects prefer cellars and lower floors, visit sewer collectors.
   

   Information. Black cockroaches are thermophilic, die at temperatures below zero.

3. American (Periplaneta Americana) - the largest synanthropic cockroach in Russia. The body is oblong, flattened, reddish-brown or yellow-brown. The wings are well developed, the legs are long, and there are suckers on the legs. The life span of insects is 1.5-3 years. They eat any food, but prefer sweet and flour products.

What diseases do cockroaches carry?

Small shy insects pose a serious danger to people. They actively examine places contaminated with bacteria, fungi, harmful microorganisms. In search of food, the following are visited:

• garbage cans;
• garbage chute;
• sewage system;
• basement;
• burrows of rodents.

In contact with rotting waste and feces, insects cling to the paws and antennae of pathogens of various diseases. Microorganisms are transferred to dishes, food, table surfaces. Then it enters the human body. Information on what dangerous cockroaches carry diseases can help provide a real picture of the harmful neighborhood. Insect ailments:

• diphtheria - an infection that affects the larynx, bronchi, skin;
• tuberculosis - a bacterial disease of the lungs;
• salmonellosis - an intestinal infection caused by salmonella;
• hepatitis A - acute viral liver disease;
• dysentery - damage to the gastrointestinal tract, intoxication of the body;
• gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and small intestine;
• meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain.

When feces are eaten, helminth eggs (pinworms, tapeworms, whipworm) enter the intestines and the body of insects. Dangerous infections fall to carriers in sewer systems, in garbage chutes, rat holes.

Information. Scientists examined the limbs of synanthropic cockroaches and established the presence of 32 species of pathogenic bacteria, 17 varieties of fungus and 3 species of protozoa and 2 strains of poliomyelitis.

Pathogenic bacteria and viruses enter a person from an infected surface or dishes through dirty hands. They also enter the body with food, on which insects crawled. Some diseases lead to serious consequences, cause disability. Do not be blithely related to the neighborhood with the Prussians.

Cockroach Allergy

Interaction with insects threatens not only infection with infectious diseases, but the occurrence of allergies. The cover of arthropods released during molting contains a protein that provokes a negative reaction of the body. Chitinous shell particles remain on food, clothing, and furniture. When inhaled, they enter the body, causing an attack of bronchial asthma. US doctors have found a similar reaction in 60% of patients.

In addition to chitinous particles, allergies are caused by insect excrement. The manifestation of a painful reaction when interacting with allergens becomes:

• runny nose, swelling of the nasopharynx;
• frequent sneezing
• eye irritation;
• dermatitis - rashes on the skin;
• asthma attacks.

A colony of cockroaches remains in the home for a long time, during which time the manifestations of allergies become chronic. Most often, children suffer, if the baby has similar symptoms, it is worth immediately tackling the cause of the disease.

Foreign body

One way of harming human health is through the penetration of arthropods into the ear or nose. At night, insects are extremely active and constantly moving in search of food. They are able to creep into a person’s ear, but they cannot leave it. Cockroaches are not able to turn around in a narrow aisle. Insects scratch the ear from the inside, causing severe pain. Only a doctor can save a person from a foreign body. A special washing procedure and tweezers allow you to get the pest.

Skin damage (bites)

Cockroaches are not predators or classic parasites. They do not attack people as prey. But in rare cases, with a lack of food and water, they pose a threat. Cases of eating of the epidermis in the neck, lips, earlobes, eyelids were noted. Younger children are more likely to suffer, their skin is the most delicate. In places of attack, wounds and crusts appear, possibly inflammation. Cockroach bites are accompanied by irritation and swelling. Pests are attracted by wet secretions on the human body - saliva and sweat.

The absence of a part of the epidermis inhibits regeneration, the wound does not heal well. One of the problems is secondary infection. Many bacteria on the extremities and oral apparatus of insects increase the likelihood of purulent infection. The sick area itches for a long time. As a treatment, washing with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide) is recommended. The administration of antihistamines will facilitate the condition.

The danger of cockroaches for pets

Pets are at risk after bullying cockroaches. Cats are especially vulnerable, nature hunters can catch and eat an insect. Poison ingested by an animal is a health hazard. In a single case, poisoning is manifested by profuse salivation, restless behavior. If the cat received a large dose of poison, vomiting begins. The animal must be taken immediately to a veterinary clinic and talk about the alleged source of the problem.

Tip. After disinsection for 2-3 days, it is advisable not to bring pets into the room. During this time, all insects will die, will be collected and destroyed.

Harm from cockroaches

In addition to health hazards, insects do other harm. The colony moves along furniture and walls, leaving footprints and excrement on the surface. The appearance of numerous black dots on the wallpaper, cabinet doors, ceiling baguettes is one of the signs of the presence of pests in the room. A large colony of cockroaches, due to lack of food, spoils the interior items: wallpaper, books, furniture upholstery.

Information. Cockroaches mark habitats with pheromones, so an unpleasant smell appears in the rooms. It is difficult to remove even after the destruction of the population.

Heat-loving insects are constantly looking for places where the temperature is between 26-33 °. Often they find such conditions in household appliances. Pests get into microwave ovens, a refrigerator heat exchanger, a computer system unit. They can damage the insulation of the wires and cause a short circuit. Failure of expensive electronic equipment requires serious financial costs.

Spoiled foods are another expense item. Mustachioed neighbors eat little (maximum 10 kg per year), but their presence in food makes it unsuitable, people have to throw away food.

How to deal with pests

Cockroach extermination activities are trusted by professional pest control or carried out independently. If a small number of pests are found, they can be deduced by the residents themselves. The first step is to find places of accumulation of insects. These are secluded places behind a gas stove, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, baseboards.An effective and safe means for residents are traps - glue and electric. In the first, pests stick, and in the second, a current discharge kills them.

The traditional option is folding poisoned lures. They are prepared from boiled yolk and boric acid. Balls are laid out in the habitat. Boric acid powder destroys the intestines of insects and causes dehydration. Borax has a similar effect. The method is not recommended for owners of animals that can eat poisoned bait.

Insecticides from six-legged pests are available in the form of gels and pencils. They are applied around the perimeter of the apartment, in places where insects penetrate. Gels have an aroma that attracts cockroaches, and the poison in the composition of the drug kills them. Dusty scattered on the path of movement of pests. They carry the substance on the legs and infect the remaining members of the colony. The compositions are valid for a long period. Experts advise using insecticidal chalk as a prophylactic. They draw stripes at the front doors, windows, baseboards and sockets.

A large population cannot be destroyed without treating the premises with aerosols “Combat”, “Clean House”, “Raptor”. This is the fastest tool. The disadvantages include toxicity to humans and animals. Residents and pets need to leave the apartment while spraying. During the disinfection of the premises, care must be taken. Potent chemicals can cause poisoning. It is advisable to carry out the treatment in a protective suit, the use of a respirator, gloves and glasses is mandatory.

Preventative measures

Protection of the apartment from cockroaches consists in regular cleaning, timely removal of garbage, the use of containers for storing food. These actions will deprive insects of access to food. The lack of water in the public domain, dry sinks - will make them suffer without moisture. Without comfortable conditions, insects will go further in search of refuge.

Cockroaches, which are pests in human homes, in natural conditions are beneficial. They recycle plant and food residues. Insects are food for birds, reptiles, small animals. In Asian countries, they are one of the dishes of local cuisine.