Cock Roach Tales

Summary

This story was inspired by the many cockroaches that I discovered while living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Previously, I thought these creatures only lived in dirty, dark, remote places. How could a relatively, clean house host generations of these bugs. After countless attempts to eliminate them from my life I unwillingly learned to live amongst them. If only I were a cockroach in my home would my legacy be guaranteed.

One hot, summer’s night I awoke from a deep slumber to the distinctive sound of a door bell chime. As I fumbled with the door lock I managed to get a peek at what looked like a 6 foot mud-colored, filthy cock roach. Our eyes locked-almost shocked with each others appearance. Both wondering who would make the next move. Suddenly, his bulging eyes and twitching antennas gave away his intentions. He leaped, almost soaring-like into the air and landed smack on me. My first reaction was to swat him but, instead I careless flung him towards my bewildered daughter. She screamed, diving for safety under the bed covers. This was my first encounter with a cock roach and little did I know that many more would soon follow.

Cockroaches come in many shapes, sizes and colors; the more distinctive ones being red or black in color and oblong or short in size. There are also the big, black, mouse-shaped ones. By far the creepiest of them all have wings. It’s a frightening experience when a seemingly harmless insect suddenly sprouts wings and flies!

Cock roaches are tough and thrive in warmer climates, feasting off our garbage like it’s a gourmet meal and can go months without food. The smaller ones can almost be described as 'cute' and are much more difficult to squash. Exterminating them is near impossible, and what doesn’t kill them makes them even more invincible. If Americans had wanted to get rid of the Taliban years ago, we would have invested in these insects as national security forces in our fight against terrorism. Forget the atom bomb; drop a load of cockroaches on our enemies and they’ll scatter. My obsession with cock roaches continues, because no matter how hard I try I can’t get rid of the disgusting pests.

Research indicates that there are about 4,500 species of cockroaches, of which about 30 species are associated with human habitation and considered pests. The American cock roach can be about 30 millimeters (1.2 in) long, but if you encounter one in person, it’s more like comparing a cute chimpanzee to a huge Gorilla, only with eyes growing from his back.

They usually live alone only coming together to mate, although my personal experience says differently; when you find one there be dozens more. Wiki concludes, “Cockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces as well as emitting airborne pheromones for swarming and mating. These chemical trails transmit bacteria on surfaces.Evidence strongly suggests that termites evolved directly from true cockroaches." No wonder these creatures are one of the most despised but often misunderstood of all insects.

One of the more interesting books I found on cockroaches include, “Rules of the Roach” by Craig Hovey. Hovey suggests that we apply some roach business strategies to life. They include such things as, " Always be the last one standing, Feast where others see garbage, Grow eyes on your back, and Remember that what doesn't exterminate you shall make you stronger."

Other fascinating features about roaches are their spiny, hair-like legs, which help them to navigate through the roughest of terrain. This explains how one untimely, popped its head up - like a gopher from my tub drain one morning. I’ve never looked at a drain in quite the same way again. What else might appear from this seemingly, small hole, and how did this bug hold his breath for so long? After this chance encounter It took, what seemed, an hour for the bug to drown. Once the water drained he resuscitated himself like ‘Carrie’ did from the grave.

If these facts aren't alarming enough, some females only need to be impregnated once to be able to lay eggs for the rest of her life. A few cockroach species are known to be self producing without the need for mates. Cock roaches have survived millions of years - outliving dinosaurs and our ancestors. Keeping this in mind we should learn as much as we can from them. They are one of the hardiest, yet most despised, insects on the planet, however I encourage you to observe their behavior and learn survival tactics during recession time. My personal encounters were memorable ones. Isn't it a nice thought to know that when humans no longer populate the earth that the cockroach will still likely exist?

Fast Facts on Cockroaches from ABC

Years humans have populated the earth "40,000, dinosaurs 165,000 million, cockroaches 300 million. Cockroaches can survive hours without oxygen, 90 days without food and 40 days without water." No wonder they seem impossible to kill.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/hungrybeast/stories/beast-file-cockroaches/index.html