Cockroaches in Fuerteventura

Cockroaches in Fuerteventura

It does not matter where you go or what you do, whenever there is food about, you will always find a cockroach somewhere in the vicinity. 

Critter Control in the Canaries

In Fuerteventura, bars, restaurants and all hosptality venues have very strict codes to adhere to when it comes to controlling cockroaches. You will often see little signs on walls stating when they were last treated, or vans driving around ready to give the next place a thorough bitzing. But no matter how hard people clean, these pesky little critters find a way of getting into places you don't want them.

But what actually are cockroaches and how are they so tough? 

Cockroaches are Ancient Creatures

Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattodea, which also includes termites. There are about 4,600 different species and although it seems like they are always about, only 30 of those species are associated with human habitats. They are ancient creatures which have lived on the earth for around 320 million years. Most species are about the size of a thumbnail but there are some species which grow as large as an open human hand.  

How do you identify a Cockroach?

Cockroaches have a relatively small head, four wings, a broad, flat body, and are reddish-brown to dark brown in colour. They have large compound eyes, two ocelli, and long, flexible antennae. The mouthparts are on the underside of the head and include chewing mandibles, salivary glands and various touch and taste receptors. The body is divided into a thorax and abdomen which is encased and protected by a tough exoskeleton. This outer armour is coated with wax, so that the cockroach can repel water. 

Cockroaches are quick and strong

Cockroaches have two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. At the end of each of the legs are large coxae which have five claws. The front legs are the shortest and most powerful and allow the cockroach to be able to run quickly. Along each of the legs are little spines which help the roaches to navigate over difficult terrain such as sand or wire mesh. 

Where can you find Cockroaches?

Cockroaches can be found all over the world, from the tropics to the artic. Their natural habitats are leaf litter, rotting wood, holes in bark and under log piles. They are social creatures and like to live in groups, hiding out of sight by day and then hunting at night. German cockroaches, like we have here, look out for each other and leave fecal trails which give off a pheromone. Other cockroaches follow the odour in order to find food and water and this is the reason why, if you have one solitary cockroach and do not clear up after it, many more of its friends will soon follow. You have been warned!