Do not ever step on cockroaches — here’s what you can do instead | Pets-animals News
A simple wipe down often doesn’t help get rid of pests as resilient as cockroaches, which have been around for centuries. And while stepping on these tiny creatures and finishing off their bloodline might seem violently appealing, brace yourself! What you need is a solid strategy and useful tips from experts to help you get rid of roaches once and for all.
To squish or not..?
While stepping on a cockroach might offer immediate satisfaction, it’s not the most effective or hygienic method for controlling these resilient pests. Deepak Sharma from India Pest Control Company warned against stepping on cockroaches for the following reasons:
1. Disease transmission: Cockroaches are known carriers of various pathogens, including bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. Crushing them can release these pathogens onto surfaces, increasing the risk of contamination.
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2. Attracting other pests: The remains of a squashed cockroach can serve as a food source for different pests, such as ants, potentially leading to additional infestations.
3. Mess and odor: Crushing cockroaches can create an unpleasant mess and odor, necessitating thorough cleaning to maintain hygiene.
He, however, clarified that the belief that stepping on a cockroach will scatter its eggs and worsen an infestation is largely unfounded. “Most cockroach species encase their eggs in a protective shell, which the female typically deposits securely before they hatch. If you crush a cockroach that hasn’t yet deposited the eggs, the eggs are unlikely to survive the trauma,” he said.
Cockroaches thrive in warm climates (Source: Freepik)
Sharma added that if you squish a female cockroach with your shoe, it is most likely that she has deposited her eggs safely somewhere else. He opined that if she hasn’t deposited them anywhere yet, the eggs inside her wouldn’t survive the shoe squishing.Story continues below this ad
What can you do to get rid of them?
According to Sharma, cockroaches find dark, damp, and warm places and have easy access to food. “Check under the cylinders, beneath the sink and places behind the fridge, or nooks and crannies one hasn’t checked in years,” he told .
With their resance, cockroaches will outlive humanity. The only way forward is to minimise their growth environment and keep things clean. He suggested sealing entry points, using natural repellents, and putting roach traps to help keep the infestation in check.
Chef Ananya Banerjee shared some natural DIY hacks to keep cockroaches at bay, such as placing dried bay leaves across your kitchen since their strong smell keeps roaches away. “Cloves, cinnamon, and neem leaves also do the trick. You can mix a couple of drops of neem oil in water and spray it in the room. Dust a mix of boric acid and sugar on kitchen counter tops and corners, away from the food, to kill cockroaches,” she added.
