How Important Are Cockroaches?
WouterCockroaches are not only harmful to humans, but they are also known to carry diseases that are transmitted through their droppings. For this reason, it is important to keep your house as clean as possible. Cockroaches are an especially serious problem in food-handling areas, where they can cause food poisoning and diarrhea. In addition, cockroaches can cause allergic reactions in some people.
The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to prevent them from settling in your house in the first place. If you live in an apartment complex, caulking holes in the common walls can help prevent roach migration. You can also try caulking around plumbing leaks in your house to prevent roaches from getting in. Also, you should avoid leaving water in your sinks for a long time. You should also avoid over-watering your plants, which is another source of water for cockroaches.
Apart from their nuisance properties, cockroaches are important for the environment as they are food for many other animals. For instance, some birds and small mammals cannot survive without cockroaches. In fact, these insects form up to 24% of the biomass of arthropods in the tropical forests.
In terms of ecosystem health, cockroaches contribute to the environment by eating decaying organic matter. In return, they release nitrogen into the soil, which is then used by plants. Hence, the extinction of cockroaches would be disastrous for the forest and its other species. However, it has been shown that cockroaches have survived several extinction events and are not completely a menace.
