Cockroaches Developing Cross-Resistance to Insecticides

You know that old adage about how cockroaches can survive a nuclear holocaust and outlive us all? Well, we’ve got some good news and bad news.

First the Bad News

Cockroaches are not just disgusting, creepy-crawly bugs freaking out people with delicate constitutions. Capable of carrying hundreds of diseases, roaches contaminate food – whether they taste it or not – by defecating on it. So anything they ate, and they’ll eat anything, can end up on your food.

When they are eating, cockroaches regurgitate their own saliva to soften up your food. And if that picture doesn’t disgust you, Salmonella, as well as bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and sepsis, often live in roaches’ stomachs.

Between their saliva and the stuff they gather, cockroaches can trigger severe allergic reactions and asthma. Some species of roaches like to bite humans. They sometimes even nibble on fingernails and toes. Cockroaches will hide anywhere – including in your ears, your nose, and yes, if it’s open, your mouth when you sleep - or any other warm open hole they can find.

Now the Really Bad News

A recent study by Purdue University found that cockroaches are getting even better at surviving the worst we can throw at them.

Because roaches have been building up resistance to insecticides, some companies will double down – mixing multiple chemical killers to try and eliminate the pests. But it appears to be backfiring. It’s not bad enough these exterminators are using more and more chemicals.

The study found that more often than not, the cockroaches are still developing resistance. They’re just doing it quicker – and with more pesticides at once. In the 6-month study in the Midwest, the best they were able to do was maintain the existing roach population. Chemical treatments alone could not eliminate or even reduce the population. In one building, they actually increased.

Now look at the math - female cockroaches have somewhere between 30 and 50 babies every three months. That’s around 150 to 200 additional cockroaches every year. Even if only 7-10% of those is resistant to all known chemical insecticides, that’s a pretty hefty infestation.

But Wait, There IS Good News

Here at Good News Pest Solutions, we’ve been treating homes for cockroaches, as well as an assortment of other bugs, for decades – without harsh chemicals. We employ a combination of baits and physical removal techniques to make sure cockroaches are eliminated from your home or business. We suggest sealing the holes and access points. And then we treat the perimeter outside your building to keep them from coming back in.

If you have a problem, we’re happy to come out and just treat for cockroaches. But most of our customers, from Bradenton to Punta Gorda prefer to sign up for our Go Green Pest Control that offers year round coverage for the most common bugs we see in homes. And it’s all 100% natural and reduced-risk for your family and your pets’ safety. To schedule your appointment, give us a call today!