Cockroach Research

We have a few articles on cockroach research which don’t fall into cockroach control or cockroach bait categories…

Cockroaches and asthma

People think of cockroaches as dirty, passing on various bacteria that cause gut problems. But most people don’t realise that they are a major cause of childhood asthma. Their shed skins are very high in allergens and in housing with ongoing cockroach problems, particularly in inner city apartment blocks, the incidence of asthma in children is greatly increased. For people sensitive to allergens, even a few cockroaches can be enough to trigger an allergic reaction.

Do cockroach bombs work?

Although cockroach bombs or cockroach foggers are popular supermarket products for homeowners, if you have a cockroach infestation, the scientific research shows them to be very ineffective. They simply can’t get into all the cupboards, cracks and crevices where cockroaches are hiding. On top of which cockroach bombs also use pyrethroid insecticides, to which some cockroach populations have shown very high levels of resistance.

Cockroaches communicate about food

There’s some evidence to suggest that cockroaches release a chemical that communicates to nearby cockroaches that a food source is preferred. Although this might create more competition for the food, it is thought that it allows the cockroaches the benefits of having safety in numbers whilst feeding.

Cockroaches as re-cyclers

Although cockroaches are generally thought of as pests, in China they are being investigated as a potential way to solve waste problems. The have built large containers full of cockroaches to chew through waste material. Certainly the fact that cockroaches eat pretty much anything, gives them a good start!

More information on cockroaches …