Cockroaches often get a bad rap; in fact, a 2023 poll by Pest Strategies, revealed that cockroaches are the most hated insect in the United States. It’s certainly not without reasons:
Cockroaches love to be inside near warmth and food, and will stop at nothing to get into your home
Some species can fit through spaces as small as 1/16th of an inch
The insects are extremely hard to catch
They can run up to three miles an hour, which is an impressive pace for such a small insect
They’re unsanitary and can contaminate food
Their bodily fluids can spread various illnesses
Although cockroaches aren’t great houseguests, sharing the planet with them is beneficial- as long as they’re outside.
Cockroaches are a vital part of the food chain
They eat decaying organic matter found outside, and subsequently absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere
The cockroaches then release the nitrogen into the soil through their feces; nitrogen is required for photosynthesis
The excess nitrogen in the air can produce pollutants like ozone and ammonia, which is detrimental to the health of both plants and animals
Don't try to kill a cockroach inside your home. Not only for the reason that they’re good for the planet, but also because...
They’re notoriously resilient and not easy to squash
They carry bacteria, and the bacteria is much more likely to be released into your home and spread if you squash them
Killing them does nothing to prevent future cockroaches from coming inside
So the question you may be asking yourself is: How do you get rid of cockroaches in your house humanely? The answers might surprise you.
Keep your doors and windows closed; don’t let them inside in the first place
Don’t leave trash, food, or dirty dishes out
Clean counters with a vinegar and water solution
Plug drains when not in use
Don’t leave faucets leaking (cockroaches are attracted to water)
Putting crushed bay leaves in places where cockroaches like to be acts as a natural repellent
Capture (don’t kill!) them when found inside and release them 100 feet or more from your house
Remember to have compassion as cockroaches have been around since dinosaur times, and they deserve to live as much as humans do. Cockroaches have even been proven to have emotions, although they express them differently than we do. They’re complex and captivating creatures, and they deserve to live their lives like the rest of us.
Sources: https://www.zoecon.com/blog/protocols-guides/most-hated-insects https://terminixnola.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-cockroaches#:~:text=Not%20only%20do%20they%20help,soil%20(through%20their%20feces) https://www.blueskypest.com/blog/how-did-it-get-in-7-ways-cockroaches-enter-indoor-spaces/#:~:text=Although%20cockroaches%20can%20grow%20to,16%20of%20an%20inch%20wide https://www.performancepest.com/blog/2016/01/a-look-at-the-health-dangers-of-a-cockroach-infestation/#:~:text=When%20they%20travel%20throughout%20your,%2C%20digestive%20problems%2C%20and%20sepsis https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/problem#:~:text=Excess%20nitrogen%20in%20the%20atmosphere,visibility%20and%20alter%20plant%20growth https://en.as.com/latest_news/why-you-shouldnt-squash-a-cockroach-n/ https://www.peta.org/living/humane-home/humane-cockroach-control/
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