How Many Hearts Do Cockroaches Have?

Roaches are crazy weird creatures with many unusual abilities. They can survive for quite a while without a head, and they can handle nuclear radiation really well. They can be submerged in water for up to 40 min without drowning and have 360′ vision and over 200 lenses.

How many hearts do cockroaches have?

Just one!

One of the popular myths about cockroaches is that they have 13 hearts. Most people assume this because of how these insects can be so difficult to control and kill.

The pests are also notorious for causing a mess in one’s space by shedding their molted skin, infesting kitchen spaces, etc.

In this article, we’ll get to the heart of the matter, and take a close look at cockroach hearts.

How Many Hearts Does a Cockroach Have?

Cockroaches, just like humans, have one heart. But the roach heart is divided into 13 different chambers. These chambers are tube-shaped and organized sequentially so that one chamber pumps blood to the next, and this sequence goes on to the last chamber.

So, what makes these insects so hard to kill?

The roach heart is multi-chambered, making it more resilient to failure than the human heart. For instance, if one chamber stops working, the roach’s heart will still function, albeit less efficiently. This is what makes them hard to kill or get rid of.

Another significant difference between the roach’s heart and that of the human is its heart is a long thin tube-like structure running along its dorsal midline in the body. This tube is then divided into regions by valves and Ostia.

There are over 4,000 species of cockroaches, but only a few dwell in homes. Some of the common kinds are Periplaneta Americana, Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, and Supella longipalpa.

Basic hygiene measures are insufficient to kill and eliminate these disease-causing agents from your home (but they are a start!). Their 13-chambered heart still operates even in the event of various sections malfunctioning.

As mentioned above, roaches can live for a while, and even reproduce, without their heads. They are tenacious buggers!

Basic hygiene measures are insufficient to kill and eliminate these disease-causing agents from your home.

How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Your Home

Cockroaches are common insects in many households, hotels, and Airbnbs, and most of us know how much of a hassle they cause. If you wish to live in a healthy and peaceful environment, you must drive away these unwanted guests from your space.

If you’re having a rough time trying to control and get rid of cockroaches, you should reach out to a professional. You can try some home treatments, but often it’s simply easier to bring in the big guns.

If you want to go the natural way, here are some options to consider:

1. Using Baking Soda

Baking soda and sugar are basic ingredients commonly found in most homes. These two options provide an economical and more effective way of killing and preventing cockroach invasion.

The reasoning behind using baking soda is that when the cockroach consumes it, it mixes and reacts with its stomach acid leading to its death.

It is easy to set up this bait: mix equal portions of baking soda and sugar in a bowl, then sprinkle the mixture in areas where you spotted the roaches. The sugar attracts the roaches then baking soda does the work for you.

However, this method is not effective in getting rid of their eggs, and is not capable of dealing with a true infestation.

However, this method is not effective in getting rid of their eggs, and is not capable of dealing with a true infestation.

2. Boric Acid

Boric acid is the solution to eliminate any roach presence in the home. Apart from killing these pests, it removes their larvae and eggs and prevents future infestation in the applied areas. Furthermore, it helps get rid of other pests.

The main drawback of this method is that it is not so good for humans or pets. Therefore, one must wear protective gear during application and wash hands afterward. It is also important to keep the harmful substance away from children and in a cool, dry place.

Its ideal application is to spread the powder in nooks and crannies where these insects travel. Once the roaches walk through the powder, they interact with it, leading to their death.

3. Fabric Softener

Here is another basic home essential to help eliminate these bacteria-carrying pests. As much as it is cheaper and safer, this method requires active spraying of the infested area; therefore, you’ll need a spray bottle.

The logic behind this method is: cockroaches breathe through their skin, and the fabric softener sticks on the surface leading to suffocation. It is the best option if these pests have invaded your space in large numbers and are strolling around comfortably. You can spray them directly if you see them.

Begin the process by mixing the softener with water in a 3:2 ratio. Stir the mixture and insert it into a spray bottle. Shake it up and start spraying.

How To Prevent Invasion Of Cockroaches

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure; the best way to get rid of these pests is to prevent their existence in your space. The correct way of doing this is to observe basic hygiene since these insects thrive in an untidy environment. Therefore, some ways to prevent their invasion are:

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure; the best way to get rid of these pests is to prevent their existence in your space.

1. Clean Your Space

A clean house keeps roaches away, and your living space is the first place to consider. Maintain good hygiene by washing dishes on time, vacuuming, and paying attention to range tops and appliances, a common habitat for pests.

2. Seal Your Food

If you have leftover food you want to enjoy later, store it in the refrigerator or in a sealed container. Avoid leaving food exposed for long periods since it attracts cockroaches.

3. Take Out Trash Regularly

Having a weekly or regular schedule for taking out the trash is best. If you let the garbage sit for too long, it provides the ideal condition for the roaches to live and breed.

The best way is to use sealed trash containers that get emptied regularly.

4. Fix Water Leaks

This measure limits their access to water. These animals can live for months without food but can’t go for a week without water. Therefore, limiting such a basic need tends to drive them away from your space.

Conclusion

Cockroaches have a single heart, and if you’re wondering why it’s hard to kill them, this article explains how their hearts work.

With persistence, you can get rid of these pests and keep them away. But sometimes it’s easiest to just hire a pro. Good luck!