Pest Control

Cockroach In Drinking Water Tank | Is It Safe To Drink? |

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Many urban and village households have cockroach problems. And I am concerned about their ability to spread pathogens. However, in this article I am going to discuss “ cockroach in drinking water tanks” and “how to get rid of them”.

Cockroach In Drinking Water Tank

Can cockroaches be in water?

Cockroaches can survive in water for sometime. If the Cockroaches fully submerge in water, they can stay alive and  hold on to their breath for about 40 minutes. Further, some of the cockroach species can swim in water as well. The way the Cockroaches swim is called floating. Further, Cockroaches cannot swim through the toilet drain and enter the structures. When they are in water, they simply close  their spiracles. That will ensure that water is not entering into their bodies. 

To briefly explain on the cockroaches, they spend the majority of their lifetime resting. They can tolerate colder temperatures as cold as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Further they can live without heads for about one week’s time. Moreover, Cockroaches can run for about three miles in one hour’s time. Furthermore, Cockroaches  can survive without food for about one month. They can spread germs and bacteria and that is the most unpleasant thing about the Cockroaches.

What will happen if we drink cockroach water?

If you drink water with cockroaches, most of the time it will not create any bad effects on you and you will be safe. However, they carry bacteria which could make you sick. As such, refrain from drinking water which has cockroaches. It will avoid any unnecessary problems which would take place.

How do cockroaches get into drinking water tank

Cockroaches prefer to occupy the places which are dark and moist. They can survive in those places if they do not fall into water. However, if they fall into the water tank, they will keep floating in the water tank as they are light in weight. They will be pushed by the tides. Hence, they can still survive in such conditions.

When they get hold of an edge, they can easily climb up and crawl  and get rid of the uncomfortable situations. 

Cockroaches can also stay alive without respiration for some time. That is how they survive in water when they fall in there.

Cockroaches are dirty creatures. Hence it is up to you to do everything possible to keep the Cockroaches away from the water tanks. It is crucial that you conduct inspections regularly to check on the water tanks conditions. Obviously,  stagnant water is one of the most preferred places for many pests.  

However cockroaches cannot live on water for a long time as they also need food at some point of time to thrive. Hence, they need to leave there and go in search of food. If they cannot find them, they will end up leaving the tank.

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The duration of the cockroaches staying in water tanks depends on the access to the food sources they have. If there is a garbage pit or if they are in a garden, they can easily find the food they require.

Cockroach In Drinking Water Tank

How do you get rid of roaches in a water tank?

You may use Hydrosil ultra for this purpose. No matter how they come, it is crucial that you get rid of them to make it nicer and cleaner. So this would be one effective way of getting rid of them.

What is interesting about using the hydrosil ultra is that they are highly effective and it could kill bugs including cockroaches. Further, it is not toxic for humans and you may also drink water once you use them. Furthermore, hydrosil ultra comes  in multiple sizes as well. 

Once you apply it to the tank, it will sterilize the tank. After about 40minutes minutes, you can drink the water as well. It is very simple to do this process. 

In terms of the quantities, you need to use 200 mils of hydrosil ultra for every 1000 liters of water. To start off, you need to open the lid of the hydrosil  ultra bottle and add the quantities as aforesaid depending on the water tank quantity you have. 

You could first add 5 liters to the tank and let it soak into the water. Next you need to use a hose and connect it to the pressure pump of the tank. After that turn the pump on and let the water recirculate through the hose and through the tank. So that it will stir in the tank while letting the hydrosil ultra in it. 

After this, you need to calculate the quantity of water which is available in the pipeline to your home. Once you stir the water, you can turn the taps on. That will allow the hydrosil water to move through the pipelines to reach your house. It will go into the taps and fill up toilet systems as well. 

Next you can go and check the tap which is at the far end of your home first  and check whether you get the hydrosil water there. 

However, once you open the tap, you need to ideally give about two or three minutes to let the hydrosil water flow. You can check it on all your water systems, be it the toilet water tap, shower or somewhere else. This will allow the bugs and the cockroaches to colonize in the tank as well as in the pipelines. Once we turn the taps on, it will allow the treated water with hydroil ultra to move through them. 

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When you are sure that you have performed these actions well, you can turn them off. After about 40minutes, you can consider that you have treated everything and  It will be the end of the cockroaches in the water tank. 

Can cockroach droppings make you sick?

Cockroaches drooping can make you sick. In fact, it has so many bad health consequences. You could find health deteriorating proteins called as allergens in cockroach droppings as well as in the feces, saliva and in their body parts. 

They can cause diseases like asthma.  The bacteria that Cockroaches have in their digestive system can pass through their droppings. Hence why Cockroaches droppings can make you sick.

Cockroach In Drinking Water Tank

What diseases can cockroaches carry?

Cockroaches carry so many bacteria such as salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Besides, Cockroaches can harbor viruses like polio virus

Cockroaches can feed on the food spills they find in the kitchen floor. These nasty creatures can result in the following diseases.  

  • Campylobacteriosis.
  • Cholera.
  • Dysentery.
  • Gastroenteritis.
  • Giardia.
  • Leprosy.
  • Listeriosis.
  • Salmonellosis.
  • Typhoid
  • Diarrhea
  • dysentery

Cockroaches carry organisms which contribute to diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy plague and even typhoid fever. Further they contribute to viral diseases also. For example, we can consider poliomyelitis. Moreover, Cockroaches can carry parasitic worms’ eggs which would also result in allergic reactions  such as dermatitis , itching. 

Moreover,  chances are that they could also result in swellings of eyelids and in some serious breathing issues too.

What is the best natural cockroach killer?

Diatomaceous earth is the most popular and the most effective natural cockroach killer.  These are not toxic for humans also. However, they will kill Cockroaches quite effectively. All you need to do is to sprinkle the Diatomaceous earth where you suspect the Cockroaches are commonly present.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder which is abrasive. This is made from ground up shells. You could spot them sold in two grades and you need to go ahead with food grade for this purpose.  Although they are nontoxic, you should refrain from inhaling them as it could damage your lungs. 

Diatomaceous earth damages it’s hard exoskeleton by dehydrating them. It would kill the cockroaches. When they get in contact with Diatomaceous earth.  it will literally  weaken the body and kill them. 

Further chances are that they may carry the powder to the nest, and it will make the rest of other Cockroaches living in the nest also die. When you use them, you simply have to sprinkle a thin layer of DE to the frequently spotted Cockroaches spotted areas as aforesaid. 

You can apply it in the wall cavities, cracks and even on the crevices. You may also apply the DE under the mats and seats as well. Before you use  DE, ensure that you are applying it in a dry environment. However, if you use it in a humid room, you need to wipe them away and apply them once it is dry. 

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Besides the aforementioned method, you can also use borax and sugar to kill the cockroaches naturally. 

You can easily find borax in the laundry room and using them along with sugar is another way of killing the cockroaches naturally. 

However, it could kill the cockroach only if they consume them. Further, when you use this method, it would require some effort as you need to make the cockroach eat them as a food source for them. So, to make the mix you need to mix borax with sugar in equal parts. You can then sprinkle them near the entry points or wherever you commonly find them. 

When you use Borax, ensure that you handle it cautiously as it would be somewhat toxic for you. Do not leave them closer to the kids. Finally, you may use baking soda and sugar also to kill the cockroaches naturally. You may also use Baking soda as something  which you can commonly find in your pantry. 

The mix between the baking soda and sugar is lethal on the plants. To use this, you only have to sprinkle the baking soda and sugar mix onto the dry surfaces where the cockroaches are commonly spotted. When the cockroach ingests the mix, it will kill the cockroaches. These are safe for kids as well. 

Cockroach In Drinking Water Tank 4 1

Does killing a roach attract more?

If you kill cockroaches, it will attract more cockroaches. Having said that, it could also be advantageous for you since it will make the hidden cockroaches come out. 

Once they perish , they release an odor which is quite strong. The entomologists call this a stench of death. Once the cockroaches die, their dead bodies release an acid which is called oleic acid. That acts as a signal for the rest of the other cockroaches that there is food around. 

Scientists have proved this factor by depositing oleic acid on some ants which were alive. Then what happened was that other ants ended up eating them. This is what happens when a cockroach perishes too.

The dead cockroaches will be quite attractive towards the living cockroaches as well as many other carnivorous bugs such as ants, centipedes, and spiders.  

Additionally, the pheromones also help in attracting the cockroaches. In fact, they are secretions which are used by them to communicate with the cockroaches. Usually, they release this when they are closer to a food source and the rest of other bugs follow this smell and land on the food source. Additionally, the male bugs also release the pheromones when they mate to attract more females.

Credit to : BRIGHT SIDE

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I'm Dr. Chamika and I'm a Researcher in Water quality, Aquatic organisms, and Environmental chemistry. Our highly qualified team is trying to educate you in various aspects of the day to day life in many ways. Their mission is to help others to enjoy their life to the fullest.