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 After
hearing horror stories about cockroach infested hotels, many holidaymakers
arrive in Tenerife, already on the lookout for the terror of Tenerife.
Dramatic as the stories may be, the cockroach is a fact of life on the island
and sighting one or two of the ugly bugs does not automatically mean your
accommodation is a filthy dive.
Cockroaches love to live in little cracks and tiny spaces so older buildings are
prime habitat. They eat just about anything, including fingernails, glue, pet
food, tobacco and even marijuana. They can go for a month without any food at
all, and up to a week with no water.
Here are some more lovely little facts about the rascally roach…
Allergic reactions to cockroaches include asthma and rashes.
A cockroach can survive for two weeks without its head, eventually dying only
because without its head it can't drink or eat. In fact, if you were to lop the
head of one of these ugly bugs, the body could still skitter around your house
for days.
The world's largest roach, thankfully not a resident of Tenerife, lives in South
America. It is six inches long and boasts a one foot wing span.
The German cockroach can survive for one year on a single bar of soap.
In 1979, over one million cockroaches were found in a house in Schenectady, New
York and ever after the Big Apple has been known as cockroach capital of the
world.
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Beating the bugs.
You'll find a bewildering array of insecticides in every supermarket in
Tenerife. The bug pictures parading round the canisters tell you pretty clearly
what pests each insecticide is intended to eradicate. There are sprays, spumes,
baits, traps, roach motels, powders ...
If
you are living in the South, EBOGON can be bought at GOYO Ferreteria in
Armenieme. I'm sure there's lots of other suppliers, but this is the only place
I've noticed it so far.
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Create a barrier by spraying your chosen poison round the walls, doors,
windows and any cracks in plaster, tile or brickwork. You also really need to
seal up any cracks you find.
Don't leave food out in the open overnight - this includes petfood. Empty bins
every night. Clean countertops and tables thoroughly - even a thin layer of
grease will feed your unwelcome household guests.
Cockroaches prefer the dark and love cramped spaces. To deter them, paint your
shelves white and pack your kitchen cupboards loosely - leave spaces between all
your boxes and cans. If the cockie doesn't feel like he's squeezing through a
tight space, he'll soon bug off.
Homemade Cockroach Killer
4 parts borax
2 parts flour
1 part cocoa powder
Mix; sprinkle where pets and children cannot get to it. Under
heavy cupboards, behind the skirtingboards, on top of the fridge (as long as
your beloved cat doesn't like to sleep up there, of course)
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