These insects reproduce at great speed all year round. The female carries the eggs in a sort of pouch called ootheca, on the end of its abdomen. Each ootheca can contain between 12 and 50 long, thin eggs. The nymphs hatch from the eggs and grow into adult cockroaches. One German cockroach and its offspring can produce 300,000 new cockroaches in a year. An American cockroach and its offspring can produce 800 new cockroaches in a year.

Cockroaches are a common, persistent problem in many homes. They have a repulsive appearance, they are dirty and cause unpleasant smells. Cockroaches can also carry and spread dangerous germs such as Salmonella and are the main source of allergies and asthma. In fact, they spend 75-80 percent of their time resting in cracks and it would seem that they are not there. However, when they are active, they spend most of their time looking for food, water or a mate and this is when they cause problems: they can contaminate dishes, cutlery or any exposed material with their saliva and faeces because they carry large quantities of bacteria and infectious microorganisms. These insects are not only very good at escaping but also at surviving: they can eat virtually anything because they are omnivorous. Although they prefer meat products or sweet foods, if there is nothing else, they can manage with pieces of cloth or paper.

Cockroaches can be found almost anywhere in the world and can survive in very different environments, from homes to extremely cold climates.

Cockroaches usually live in caves, mines, bird nests, termite nests, deserts, near water... mostly outdoors.

About 20 cockroach species live with temperature and humidity conditions that are very similar to those required by humans.

They prefer to live in houses, restaurants, shops that sell food, hospitals… these environments with stable climates ensure their survival.

Cockroaches carry large quantities of germs and bacteria on their bodies. There have been cases in which cockroaches have caused tuberculosis, cholera, leprosy, dysentery and typhus, among other more common diseases such as salmonellosis.

Cockroaches can survive a head amputation if they are well fed although, of course, they cannot continue feeding and die after a few weeks.

They can withstand doses of radioactivity that are 6-15 times higher than the doses that humans can tolerate.

Cockroaches prefer foods with a high starch, fat and sugar content but can eat anything, from leather to glue.

They have remained virtually unchanged since they first appeared in the Carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago.

They are almost blind and use their feelers in constant contact with surfaces to detect vibrations, temperature and humidity changes.

Cockroaches usually turn on their backs when they die; the rigor mortis causes their legs to contract, making them lose their balance and flip over. However, it is also a posture they take as a defence mechanism, feigning death.

Avoid exposed food and damp.

Take out the rubbish frequently.

Wash the dishes and dry them as soon as possible.

Throw away old boxes and newspapers.

Keep the kitchen floor, worktops and larders clean.

Clean and vacuum often behind ovens, microwave ovens, toasters and refrigerators.

Clean up any remains of food and spilled fluids in or near household appliances.

Do not let children eat outside of the kitchen.

Keep food in sealed plastic containers.

Seal all outdoor openings and cracks to prevent the cockroaches from getting into your home.

Keep the plumbing clean.

Keep the basement dry.

Use ventilation.

Use glue traps to locate and determine the quantity of insects.