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Cockroaches can live for up to 30 days without food and 10 days without water.

They can also live for up to 10 days without their heads. There are about 4,500 species of cockroaches globally, but only about 30 of them are considered pests. The largest species in the world is the Australian rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which weighs about 33 grams.

6 Incredible Cockroach Facts

• They have existed for more than 300 million years.
• They have been clocked moving about 1.5 meters per second, which is about 200 miles per hour.
• They breathe through special body tubes called spiracles, which also regulates the amount of water in their bodies. If they are close to dehydration, then a cockroach will not breathe for up to 40 minutes.
• They can carry 33 kinds of bacteria, six different types of parasitic worms and seven known pathogens.
• They are social insects that live in groups called intrusions.
• Coffee drinkers, I’m sorry to say that massed-produced coffee has been known to contain roaches.

You can read more incredible facts about cockroaches.

Species, Types, and Scientific Name

There are at least 4,500 species of cockroaches in the world. The scientific name for cockroaches is Blattodea. This scientific name also covers termites. They are all members of the Dictyoplera superorder.

All known roaches are members of three superfamilies classifications and three epifamilies classifications. You can also assign each to a family classification.

• Nocticoliade cockroaches- There are about 32 species in this family, with most living in caves in Africa, Asia and Australia.
• Corydiidas – There are about 40 genera in this group, with many being called sand cockroaches.
• Ectobiidae – This is the largest family of cockroaches as it contains more than 223 genera and 2,381 species, including wood cockroaches, German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa).
• Blaberidae – There are 165 genera and 1,198 species in this family, including many large cockroaches like the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). The Pacific beetle cockroach that is popular for its milk production belongs to this family as well.
• Blattidae – This is another sizeable family as it contains at least 41 genera and 594 species, including the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and the Brown cockroach (Supella longipalpa). Another member of this family is the Oriental cockroach. Large Oriental cockroaches are often called black beetles. Oriental cockroaches are one of the largest members of this family.
• Lamproblattidae – This family contains only three genera and 10 species, with most living in Central and South America.
• Tryonicidae family – This family contains about 10 genera and 17 species, with most living in New Zealand, Australia, and New Caledonia.
• Cryptocercidae. There is only one known genera of this family and 12 known species, including the brown-hooded cockroach (Cryptocercus punctulatus).

Appearance: How to Identify Cockroaches

It can be difficult to describe this insect because there are so many different variations. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest winged cockroach is the Megaloblatta longipennis, which is 3.8-inches long and its body is 1.75-inches across. This species has a wingspan of almost 8 inches. It lives in Peru, Ecuador and Panama.

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Another giant specimen is Australia’s rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). This insect that has no wings is about 3.1-inches long. It digs holes in the ground for its home. It is also one of the heaviest species as it weighs about 32 grams.

While many cockroaches have wings, only a handful of species are capable of flight. These include the brown-banded cockroach, the Pennsylvania wood cockroach, and the Cuban cockroach.

They are social insects. Their feces and other parts of their bodies contain pheromones. This allows them to communicate so that they can all gather together in a harborage area.

Habitat: Where to Find Them

These insects prefer tropical climates, but they are adaptable and can be found throughout the world. Even though they love warm and humid weather, they can live in below freezing temperatures, so you can even find them in the Artic. In some regions, they are known as Palmetto Bugs.

They prefer to be near a source of water and an easy food source. While they can go for up to 10 days without drinking and 30 days without eating, they prefer to live where both food and water are readily available.

Diet: What Do Cockroaches Eat?

They are opportunistic feeders that will eat almost anything. While they prefer to live on sweets and greasy foods, if that is not available, they will eat anything that was once alive or growing or made from alive or growing things, such as paper or wooden items. When desperate enough, they will even eat other cockroaches who have perished. Have a look at our “What Do Cockroaches Eat?” page for a complete list of everything that a cockroach eats.

Prevention: How to Get Rid of Them

Preventing an infestation can be tricky because the things you love are also food sources they prefer. Keeping your area spotless can encourage these insects to find another place to live instead of your home. Since they feed at night, it is essential that you thoroughly clean the kitchen and any area where your family eats before you go to bed. Empty all trash cans daily.

Seal up any cracks in your home. They can flatten their exoskeleton system and put their legs out to their sides flat. Therefore, they can fit through gaps where you do not believe they can fit.

Preventing cockroaches from entering your home often starts on its outside. Leave a gap of bare ground around your home’s foundation as they love to live in grass and mulch. Remove all standing water sources from around your home. Keep your grass cut short, and do not allow junk to build up around your home’s exterior.

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AZ Animals Staff

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AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and — of course — pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.

Cockroach FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What’s the difference between cockroaches and crickets?

When comparing a cricket vs. cockroach, there are several key differences. First, cockroaches are generally much larger. Most species measure 1 to 2 inches while crickets can often measure a fraction of an inch. Second, the body shape of cockroaches is more oval while crickets are thinner. Finally, crickets make chirping noises while cockroaches rarely make noise except for some species that hiss.

What causes cockroaches in the house?

Roaches are looking for food, water and shelter when they enter your home. Therefore, eliminating as many sources of these items as possible will encourage them to move on. Keep your home spotless, especially in areas where you cook and dine. Ensure you do not allow water to stand around your home and do not leave drinks sitting out. Cockroaches use paper and cardboard as shelter, so keep these items put up. Throw away the trash daily.

What do you do if you find a cockroach?

Examine your home to make sure that they do not have easy access through cracks. Basically, there are four types of cockroaches found in American homes. They are the American, German, brown-banded and Oriental. The German is the smallest cockroach and one of the most prolific. Look at your landscaping for places that cockroaches may be hiding, and eliminate as many of these places as possible. Make sure you are cleaning daily. Remember that you are likely dealing with small cockroaches, and not huge cockroaches like the Madagascar hissing cockroach. Still you do not want a bite from a cockroach.

While you may need to call a professional for help, you can first try using food-grade diatomaceous earth or boric acid. Sprinkle this in areas where you think cockroaches are entering your home. You can also sprinkle it wherever you see cockroaches. The more that you sprinkle, the more effective the treatment will be in killing roaches. Both items work by causing the cockroach’s body to dehydrate. They may even get it on their bodies and carry it back to their nests.

Are cockroaches bad?

No, cockroaches are not bad. They can be dangerous, however, when they get in your home as they can carry diseases and cause asthma. This is especially true if you have a baby, small children or those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, you need to stop them from living there. Cockroaches have been known to bite small children or a baby. They can also spread diseases through their poop and eggs. Therefore, if you notice them, eggs or poop in your home, you need to get rid of them. Cleaning your home completely helps to eliminate eggs and poop.

Only about 30 species are human pests. In some countries, they are raised and used as a food source. In Thailand, they are considered a delicacy after they are fried. They are considered a great source of inexpensive protein.

Are cockroaches hard to get rid of?

Yes, it can be challenging to get rid of cockroaches. You must take a three-prong approach inside and outside your home. Eliminate as many water sources as possible. Look for standing water and areas where you may have leaking pipes. Seal up even the smallest cracks in your home.

Secondly, eliminate as many food sources as possible. Cockroaches feed on anything made from something that was once growing, such as paper and cardboard. A cockroach can live for a month on the glue off the back of a postage stamp, so even small items are important. Be sure that you clean thoroughly and take out the trash daily. Vacuuming or mopping your floors daily is also essential.

Third, you need to identify where roaches are living around and in your home. Remove all cardboard boxes from your home as they are a favorite home for cardboard. When you get home from the grocery store, take everything out of a cardboard box and put it in an airtight container. Many retail locations have cockroach problems, and you do not want to bring them home, where they can bite you and your family.

How do you get rid of cockroaches?

Cleanliness inside and outside your home usually eliminates most cockroaches. After thoroughly cleaning, sprinkle Borax or food-grade diatomaceous earth where you see these insects or feel that they may be living. Applying a thin coating is usually best. They will walk through the substance, which dehydrates their bodies, which causes them to die. They will also carry the substance back to their nests, where it will dry out their eggs and cause baby cockroaches to die. While it can be a lot of work to get rid of cockroaches, be thankful you are not dealing with Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

How Long Do Cockroaches Live?

The average cockroach lifespan is anywhere between twenty to thirty weeks all the way to five years. Their lifespan greatly depends on their species and the amount of food and water accessible to them.

What is the difference between a baby cockroach and a bed bug?

The greatest differences between a baby cockroach and a bed bug include size, shape, and antennae. Baby cockroaches are equal in size but grow slightly larger than them in a short amount of time. Baby cockroaches are cylindrical in shape, but bed bugs are oval-shaped, and that difference makes it easy to distinguish these creatures.