10 Fascinating Cockroach Facts

Dr. Jim Fredericks

Everyone has heard the catchy Spanish folk song, “La Cucaracha,” about a cockroach unable to walk because he has lost one of his six legs. While the song may be loved by children and fun to sing along to, it is highly unlikely that anyone feels the same affection for this ick-inspiring and disease-spreading pest!

Most homeowners are aware of the health and safety risks associated with cockroach infestations, including the allergies and asthma triggered by cockroach allergens, and the germs and bacteria they have been known to spread. What may not be as widely known is that they are a very interesting and resilient pest that exhibits some very odd behavior and survival tactics. For example, cockroaches spend 75% of their time resting and can withstand temperatures as cold as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are ten of the most fascinating facts about cockroaches:

1. A cockroach can live for a week without its head. Due to their open circulatory system, and the fact that they breathe through little holes in each of their body segments, they are not dependent on the mouth or head to breathe. The roach only dies because without a mouth, it can’t drink water and dies of thirst.
2. A cockroach can hold its breath for 40 minutes, and can even survive being submerged under water for half an hour. They hold their breath often to help regulate their loss of water.
3. Cockroaches can run up to three miles in an hour, which means they can spread germs and bacteria throughout a home very quickly.
4. Newborn German cockroaches become adults in as little as 36 days. The German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches and has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people.
5. A one-day-old baby cockroach, which is about the size of a speck of dust, can run almost as fast as its parents.
6. The American cockroach has shown a marked attraction to alcoholic beverages, especially beer. They are most likely attracted by the alcohol mixed with hops and sugar.
7. The world’s largest roach (which lives in South America) is six inches long with a one-foot wingspan. Average cockroaches can vary in size from ½”– 2” long.
8. Cockroaches are believed to have originated more than 280 million years ago, in the Carboniferous era.
9. There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide, including the most common species, the German cockroach, as well as brownbanded cockroaches and American cockroaches.
10. Because they are cold-blooded insects, cockroaches can live without food for one month, but will only survive a week without water.

These facts prove that cockroaches are some of the most adaptable creatures on earth, which makes controlling and eliminating a cockroach infestation all the more difficult. To get rid of cockroaches in your home, experts suggest keeping food sealed and stored properly, particularly in the kitchen, which should be cleaned daily to prevent crumbs and trash from building up. Garbage should be disposed of regularly and stored in sealed containers. Homeowners should seek out and seal all cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes, as these can serve as entranceways for the pest. In addition, basements and crawl spaces should be kept well ventilated and dry.

Cockroach control and management are important for health and safety reasons.

If you suspect a cockroach infestation, visit our Find a Pro page to find a pest control professional in your area.