Can a Cockroach Be Squash?
WouterWhen you are faced with an enraged roach, the first thought you might have is, “Can a cockroach be squashed?” In fact, cockroaches can survive even being squashed by as little as a sheet of paper. Their hard but flexible exoskeleton is designed to transmit energy to their legs and withstand forces up to 900 times their own weight.
However, there is a more effective way to squash a roach. First, it’s not recommended that you step on a roach with the intent of squashing it. This is not a humane way to eliminate a roach. Cockroaches are invertebrates with a hard exterior skin (called the exoskeleton), which is similar to the hard shell of a turtle. If the cockroach is left unharmed, the cracked skin will eventually crumble and it will starve.
The World Health Organization recommends that you avoid squashing cockroaches because this could spread bacteria. This bacteria can cause asthma and allergies, as well as various illnesses. In some cases, cockroaches can even cause typhoid fever. So, the first step in eliminating a cockroach is to prevent it from entering your house.
One of the most common ways to kill a cockroach is by crushing it. However, this method requires tremendous force, as a crushed roach’s body will not be able to recover. This action will result in a popping sound, which is an indicator that the exoskeleton has fractured. However, if you use the wrong amount of force, the roach will still survive.
