A lot of misconceptions surround pest prevention, like thinking they invade only dirty homes and them having considerably short lifespans. But among the many facts about the various critters out there, some particularly interesting ones may seem strange but are essential traits in their nature. These are the types of icky things happening that would make anyone want to beef up their pest control, whether they’re in Virginia Beach’s oceanfront or a cloudy Chesapeake area.
Cockroaches can eat human parts.
While it’s not as scary as it may initially sound (with images of mutated beasts attacking people), roaches are omnivores who ingest animal matter. That means they will eat a person’s eyelashes, and they mainly prefer decaying organic matter, which means those nail clippings, hair fall, and flaky skin are all snackable in their perspective.
The American cockroach, in particular, is more likely to exhibit these eating habits, though it is not on the top of the list for their go-to meals. The big clinchers remain to be leftover food with lots of grease and crumbs. That said, it’s still not a wonderful thing to think about these crawlers seeing us as something to nibble on.
Mice can jump pretty high.
As if these commonly seen rodents weren’t sneaky enough, it also appears that they can jump up to a foot high and can even crawl up vertical walls for a little over the same height. It’s no wonder they can still get access to food that is left on higher shelves or tables and they can easily make a quick getaway should the occasion call for it.
This aptitude for jumping is present in house mice, no matter their age or size, and can be quite startling if you ever have to witness it yourself. However, mice don’t behaviorally show up out in the open if they sense movement from the home’s human residents. If you occasionally see one scurrying by in the middle of the day, that can spell trouble that you may have many more where the little one came from.
Centipedes bite with their front legs.
Among their many legs that carry them around, they have two hollow legs in the front that they use to bite when they feel threatened. Depending on the species, they can either be venomous or barely puncture the skin at all.
Of course, the most commonly seen variation of the centipede often prefers flight over fight. Since these insects are more agile and quicker than their millipede friends, they can dash to safety unless you catch them or stomp them. A large centipede will have a more painful bite since they deliver more venom. Whether you come across a small or large one, though, they usually attack only if you handle them roughly.
If these facts raise the hairs on your back (or anywhere else), it may be a wise choice to give your home a thorough sweep for these pesky critters and make sure you prevent any infestation from happening. If you suspect that there is one right under your nose, don’t hesitate to get an exterminator’s services.