What Are the Good Effects of Cockroaches?
WouterA cockroach infestation is an unsightly sight that you don’t want to see in your home, but if you clean on a regular basis, you should be able to spot these creatures before they make a home in your house. Make sure to wipe down food preparation areas and sinks before bedtime and make sure dustbins are covered. Avoid leaving open food in cabinets and refrigerators; store leftovers in tightly sealed containers. You should also clean your spare bathroom and make sure you don’t stack old newspapers or magazines open.
One cockroach study shows how the species can control its environment by directing its movement. Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have successfully translated human brain waves into electrical impulses and directed a cockroach down different shaped tunnels. Other cockroach-related research focuses on medicine. Cockroaches produce powerful antibiotics, which could eventually lead to the development of new drugs.
Cockroaches also play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. By feeding on decaying organic matter, they trap atmospheric nitrogen and release it into the soil. This nitrogen is an important part of chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color. This nitrogen is necessary for the plant to grow and thrive.
If cockroaches were to disappear from the environment, birds, rats, and mice would suffer. In addition, if cockroaches were to become extinct, they would become a prime target for parasitic wasps that feed off cockroach eggs. This would create a ripple effect up the food chain until it reaches humans.
