This is why you shouldn't step on a cockroach
Cockroaches aren't as innocent as you think they are.
Cockroaches are not something that anyone elects to play with. They are the insect that many find the worst of the creepy crawlers.
Well, unless you are an entomologist and enjoy playing with creepy crawlies.
The first instinctive thing to do when you see a cockroach is to stomp on it or whack it. But it seems that stepping on a cockroach isn't as harmless as one might think.
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"Scientists have started to make dire warnings about the detrimental health effects crushing these bugs has on human beings." (MSN)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that crushing a cockroach releases a harmful bacterium into the environment.
The bacteria can cause asthma attacks, as well as allergies when inhaled.
It may sound rare but it is actually more common that we realise.
And, get this, these aren't the only forms of bacteria that are released to humans once they are crushed.
"Bacteria such as salmonella, streptococci, and staphylococci are just some that cockroaches can pass on to humans after being stepped on." (MSN)
Some of the effects can lead to ailments such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery, to name a few.
Besides being known for their resiliency, they are also quite strong.
Did you know that a cockroach can lift up to 900 times its own weight?!
Although squishing them may be your first option, it may not be the best answer. And as much as fumigation may be a short-term solution, it is better than cohabitating with these flexible insects.
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