The joke "only cockroaches will survive after a nuclear war" contains a significant part of the truth. The lethal dose of radiation for annoying synanthropes is 15 times higher than in humans. And less than other insects. But not the fact that cockroaches will live. In the absence of food, they will die before a person, and without water - together with people. The length of time how long cockroaches live without food depends on the size of the insect and the internal reserves in case of a hunger strike.
Life expectancy without food
With free access to moisture and a "comfortable" life before the experiment prusak lives without food for 40 days. Larger black beetle under the same conditions of the experiment can live up to 80 days. A person in the same conditions lives no more than 2 months.
Life expectancy without water
When determining how long cockroaches live without water, the purity of the experiment should be approached more strictly than the experiment with food. Cockroaches drink water if they have such an opportunity. But in the absence of a drinking bowl, they can get liquid from wet food: fruits or vegetables.
Interesting!
For a cockroach, water is the most important component in the process of cell metabolism. If the insect does not have the ability to restore water supplies, after 7 days it will die from dehydration.
Is it possible to live without air
Up to 40 minutes yes. But not to man. Since insects breathe through the spiracles located on the abdomen, even beheading does not prevent the pest from receiving oxygen. These insects have several nerve nodes. Located in the head, it has nothing to do with the function of breathing.
The ability to not breathe for 30 to 40 minutes helps representatives of the cockroach squad save life when splashed in water. At high temperatures, insects also close the spiracles so that water does not evaporate through them. In this way, they are saved from dehydration in hot climates.
The fight against cockroaches using the characteristics of their body
It is not worth it to become like Hodge Nasruddin and cut off the head of each caught individual. But you can block the pests air by sprinkling flour or making an oil path. When the insect crawls through the trap, the spiracles will clog, and the pest will die from suffocation.
But it’s much easier to thoroughly clean all the food, leaving the tables in the kitchen clean, and deprive the parasites of the opportunity to drink. It is necessary to check the plumbing communications for leaks. If there is, close them up. Wipe the sink thoroughly overnight. Small prusaks will need a few drops of liquid to get drunk.
Parasites will not live long in an apartment without food and water. They will either leave to look for a more hospitable home, or they will die.
