The Cockroach
Few insects invoke instant disgust the way a cockroach does. The most common insect alive, there are about 55 species of cockroaches found in the USA, with the five most common in Oregon begin the American roach, the oriental roach, the German roach, the brown-banded roach, and the native wood roach, which does not invest homes. Cockroaches are approximately 1-1.5 inches long and reddish brown in color. They prefer dark environments and are sensitive to vibration, which causes them to scurry in their distinctive way, to the nearest crack or crevice; they usually go to the area closest to their food source
What Do Cockroaches Eat?
Cockroaches are scavengers and are attracted to places with open food. They will eat just about anything, most notably garbage and dead animals. The cockroach diet can range from baked goods, bookbinding starch, flakes of dried skin, beer, cheese, and leather, so the average home is a buffet for them. It’s important to practice proper waste management to not attract roaches to a home; they have a very keen sense of smell, and will quickly invade a residence where they smell food is in abundance.
Do Cockroaches Bite?
Surprisingly enough, the answer is yes! Cockroaches do bite humans, and usually will when the human is asleep. Being scavengers attracted to dead organisms, humans in an infested home are most susceptible to bites if they have lots of scratches or a sun burn. To add insult to injury, they’re also known to pee on humans as a parting gift. A cockroach bite should be treated immediately, as they are hosts to bacteria that can lead to infections.
Can Cockroaches Fly?
Some roaches are wingless, but those with wings do fly. Entomologists say that hot and humid conditions make cockroaches more active, which leads to an increase of them flying and trying to seek cooler residence. Cockroaches are weak flyers, preferring to run, and will only fly when they feel unsafe.
Bloom Editor Danielle Schneider
Bloom Writer Leah Iannacone
