Ten Surprising Facts About Cockroaches You Didn’t Know

Abell Pest Control 10 facts you did not know about cockroaches

Let’s be honest cockroaches aren’t anyone’s favorite houseguests. Dealing with an infestation can be a total headache, but these resilient little bugs are surprisingly fascinating (and a bit creepy). Here are 10 things about cockroaches that might make you see them in a new light—and remind you why keeping them out is so important:

  1. They Can Live Without Their Heads Yep, you read that right. Cockroaches can survive for up to a week without their heads. Since they breathe through tiny holes in their body, they don’t need a head to keep going. They’ll eventually die of thirst, though, because they can’t drink without a mouth.
  2. They Can Go Without Food for a Month Cockroaches are survival experts. They can live a whole month without food, though they can only last about a week without water. If you’re trying to get rid of them, cutting off both food and water is the way to go.
  3. They’re Fast For such tiny creatures, cockroaches can book it—up to three miles per hour! That’s fast enough to spread germs around your house in no time.
  4. Baby Cockroaches Are Speedy, too Even the little ones, barely bigger than a speck of dust, are quick on their feet. Their speed is one of the reasons they’re so tricky to catch.
  5. They Multiply Like Crazy Cockroaches are prolific breeders. A baby cockroach can grow up and start reproducing in as little as 36 days, and some species can complete their life cycle in three months. That’s why tackling an infestation early is so important.
  6. They Like Beer Believe it or not, cockroaches are drawn to beer. Scientists think it’s the sugar and hops they’re after. If you’re enjoying a cold one, make sure to clean up any spills quickly!
  7. They’re Prehistoric Survivors Cockroaches have been around for over 280 million years. They’ve survived since the days of the dinosaurs and have adapted to all kinds of environments. It’s no wonder they’re so hard to get rid of!
  8. They Can Get Pretty Big (But Don’t Worry) The largest cockroach ever recorded was six inches long with a one-foot wingspan. Luckily, the ones you see at home are much smaller, usually between half an inch to two inches long.
  9. They Can Hold Their Breath Cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes and even survive underwater for about half an hour.
  10. There Are Over 4,000 Species Cockroaches come in over 4,000 varieties worldwide, but only a handful are common in homes. The usual culprits? German, brown-banded, and American cockroaches.

Cockroaches might be amazing survivors, but that doesn’t mean you want them hanging out in your home. Staying clean, cutting off their food and water, and calling in professional help when needed are the best ways to show these pests the door.


About the author:

Since 1924, Abell Pest Control has provided quality services, protecting our customers and their patrons from coast-to-coast. Our customers enjoy the expertise and resources of a national provider. Prouder yet, we are members of your community, ready to service your home or business 24/7.

We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.

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