Why would such ugly and disgusting creatures exist on this beautiful planet we live on? Is it a cockroach’s sole mission to spread disease (and make us shriek)? Actually, no! Cockroaches exist for many reasons and are actually essential for the environment they live in.
How Many Species of Cockroach Exist?
Did you know there are roughly 4,500 species of roaches that exist in the world? However, there are only a handful of species that we see infesting homes and businesses. This means that 99.7 percent of all cockroaches live far away from humans, keeping to themselves and playing an essential role in their own environments.
What Do Cockroaches Do?
These pests are known for eating pretty much everything inside of a home or business; paper products, glue, trash, etc. Other species of cockroach in the wild are the exact same way. However, instead of eating your personal possessions and garbage, they’ll be eating plants that are usually inedible to most animals. As soon as they digest these inedible plants, they’ll excrete their feces and add much-needed nitrogen back into the soil. The worst part about cockroaches is also their best quality!
What Can We Learn From Cockroaches?
It’s known that cockroaches oftentimes live in the filthiest of places. Yet, they are usually unaffected by their surroundings as their bodies produce a natural antibiotic to protect them. Scientists study this and use the information to help mimic and create medicine to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria (for example, MRSA).
In addition to their inner workings, scientists will also study their bodies — most importantly their legs. Cockroach legs are so efficient that prosthetics, robot arms, and other artificial limbs are oftentimes modeled after them.
Cockroaches aren’t made just to spread disease and gross us out, they play a vital role in the environment. It’s important we all know what they’re capable of. However, there’s no place for cockroaches in homes and businesses. So if yours is infested, allow Pest Control Unlimited to help you manage the infestation with our quarterly programs. Call us at (888) 649-9919 to set up an appointment!
