What Are Cockroaches Afraid Of?

What Are Cockroaches Afraid Of
What Are Cockroaches Afraid Of

A person eager to control cockroaches may believe that these insects are virtually immortal. In fact, these parasites, like other animals, can be adversely affected by a variety of factors. Some of them are critical and can be used to kill cockroaches, while others can cause severe discomfort and force them out of certain areas. You will learn What Are Cockroaches Afraid Of in the ThumbGarden article.

By changing different methods, apartment owners can significantly reduce the pest population and get rid of unwanted neighbors. However, there are some misconceptions about red cockroaches that make it difficult to plan the right way to deal with them.


Bright Lights

Anyone who has encountered cockroaches will see that when the lights are turned on at night, they quickly disperse to their shelters. As a result, it is widely believed that light is nearly lethal to insects. In reality, this is just an alarm signal for the red-headed pest. Cockroaches have no active defense mechanisms – powerful chewing, and toxic secretions that protect them from predators.

The only thing that can save the red-headed parasite is the ability to safely hide from enemies in case of danger. In places where there is light, cockroaches are very visible and try to leave immediately. However, the light in the kitchen does not keep the insects sitting in the shelter. They gradually get used to it and continue to do their business, even if they are lit. Bright light may only deter pests for a short time, but it will not force them out of the shelter.


Exposure to Ultrasound

The use of ultrasonic pest repellents has become very fashionable in recent years. Portable high-frequency sound wave generators create conditions in localized areas that are uncomfortable for some animals, so it is used to scare away some pests. This certainly makes sense. For example, if an airplane turbine roars outside your window 24 hours a day, you will also feel uncomfortable.

However, this device can repel cockroaches if several conditions are met.

  1. having a quality and powerful appliance.
  2. the proper functioning of the repeller.
  3. lack of sustainable pest populations.

Ultrasonic devices can effectively repel mainly sinking specimens. If pests have taken root in the apartment, it is difficult to get them out. In addition, some cockroaches, accustomed to radiation and fields of various natures in urban areas, can tolerate ultrasound. Going back to the human analogy, we also get used to some discomfort if other conditions are very attractive.


Exposure to Temperature

But the right temperature is critical to the existence of a pest population. Cockroaches come from warm climates and are therefore not cold tolerant. Their optimal temperature is between 68-86 °F (20-30°C). And, while they are uncomfortable with heat, frost is guaranteed to kill these parasites. Cold discourages new guests and makes the living environment unsuitable for existing insects.

Cockroach activity is already significantly reduced at 50 °F (10 °C), and at lower values, they go into an inanimate state. At 41 °F (5 °C) frost, insects die within about an hour. If the temperature is even lower, the disinfection process will proceed much faster.

Of course, freezing cannot be recommended in multi-family buildings with centralized utilities. Not only is it difficult to freeze apartments properly due to heating from adjacent dwellings, but there is also the possibility of creating an emergency in the common plumbing or heating system. On the other hand, in private homes, it is an effective and efficient way to eliminate large pests.


Lack of Water and Food

The quality of habitat for indoor pests is largely determined by the availability of adequate water and food. That’s why we see the most insects near food sources – under sinks, near garbage cans, and in food storage areas. And cockroaches feed on almost any organic matter. But even without food, the parasite can survive for quite a long time – up to 1.5-3 months, depending on external conditions and the condition of the insect.

On the other hand, water is a major factor limiting the spread of cockroaches. Like many other animals, they cannot live without it for a long time. The duration of painless “dry diapause” can last from a week to a month. If basic hydration is lacking (which is rarely the case in domestic conditions), the insects will leave the shelter. Read more about the characteristics of the parasite in the article: “How long can cockroaches live without water, food, and head”.


Cockroaches Have No Active Defense Mechanisms
Cockroaches Have No Active Defense Mechanisms

Sense of Smell

Now let’s see which smells repel weevils. Such remedies have been discovered by experience. They can be divided into two groups – scented herbs and household chemicals. For a long time, it has been observed that cockroaches, to put it mildly, do not like certain plants. They are certainly not suited to the direct destruction of insects, but they may well force parasites out of their preferred places.

These herbal remedies include dried plants.
mint;
sagebrush;
tansy;
lemon balm;
eucalyptus;
wild rosemary.

Place fresh or dried (bunches) of these plants in areas where insects congregate and replace them periodically as the smell wears off. Some household chemicals also have an unpleasant “aroma” to cockroaches. These include vinegar, naphthalene, turpentine, chlorine, and solvents. Parasites certainly cannot tolerate their pungent odors, but they often make humans uncomfortable as well.


Chemicals

Most importantly, cockroaches “don’t like” chemicals that actually kill them. These include many commercially available pesticides. These products are most effective at exterminating cockroaches in apartments, especially if the problem is systemic.

When it’s too late to repel the parasites, use these products to kill them.

  1. Crayons.
  2. Gels and other feed bait.
  3. Aerosols and sprays.

The best way to prevent cockroaches is to use contact insecticide barriers (crayons) or interceptor food bait-gels with intestinal lures. For example, by applying cockroach gel “offline” where the parasite may invade, we will eliminate them before they begin to reproduce in the unit and create new populations. Conveniently, it can remain active for up to two months. So, by keeping this active bait in a hidden place, you can forget about protection for a long time.

Once the cockroaches have gained a foothold in your home, the easiest way to get rid of them is to use a universal cockroach spray. The special nozzle makes it easy to spray in the most difficult-to-reach places. Suitable for treating large areas, it can also be effective for a long time – up to a month and a half. Cockroaches carry their eggs with them, and their shells are resistant enough to insecticides that it is worth repeating the treatment after 1-1.5 months.


Treatment of Cockroaches with Boric Acid and Ammonia

When it comes to what cockroaches are afraid of, we can’t ignore the two most popular remedies – boric acid and ammonia. They are not only popular but quite effective, if not for a few “buts”. The boric acid powder is often added to food bases – egg yolks, batter, or simply sprinkled on areas where pests run. Cockroaches eat the bait or “lick” the acidic crystals from their bodies and get burned in their digestive tracts. This is all well and good, but further contact with water must be avoided, as the insects may shed and survive the damage.

Can you do this at home? If so, great, it works. But more often than not, these conditions cannot be met. Cockroaches can still find water in the house and survive.

Some people also practice treating problem areas with ammonia alcohol, which has a pungent, unpleasant ammonia smell. The parasites naturally don’t like it and leave the treatment area. But here’s another problem – to put it mildly, ammonia is also unpleasant for humans. And there’s no telling who would be worse off – the apartment owner or the cockroaches. With the smell of aeration, the cockroaches can easily return to the house, so the treatment must be repeated. And this “gas attack” can continue indefinitely.

As you can see, cockroaches can also be dealt with; they are not so invulnerable and unpretentious. But it’s up to you to decide what to use in your home.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

      Leave a reply

      eighteen − seventeen =

      ThumbGarden.com!
      Logo
      Compare items
      • Total (0)
      Compare
      0