You've likely heard the saying that cockroaches could survive a nuclear apocalypse. That saying didn't come without some factual backing. They date back to around 300 million years ago. That's 55 million years before dinosaurs walked the Earth. If they've made it this far, it's not too big a stretch to assume they'll keep going.

They're amazingly resilient, able to stay submerged and hold their breath for as long as 40 minutes, a trait they developed to help keep themselves from dehydrating. The ability to regulate water loss allows them to survive without their head. Cockroaches breathe from different holes across their body, enabling them to survive for up to a week without their head. What eventually kills them is that they don't have a mouth to eat or drink from.

You've likely also noticed how tough it is to catch cockroaches to squish them. That isn't the fault of your athletic ability or reflexes; these critters can run as fast as three miles an hour. That means they can cover 50 of their body lengths in a single second, making them one of the planet's fastest insects, aided by a start-up speed of 8.2 milliseconds, or faster than the blink of an eye.

That speed means they can spread bacteria at an even faster rate. They don't just look and smell gross; they're known to carry bacteria that can lead to salmonella, Staph infections, and Strep. Their skin also sheds allergens that can aggravate asthma and other lung conditions. They also get to work quickly, with newborn German cockroaches becoming full-grown adults in about five weeks, then living around half a year.

Illinois is home to the classics, American, German, Oriental, Brownbanded, and Smokybrown, though there are more than 4,000 species worldwide. The German variety is what people typically think of as a household pest in Illinois. If your house has a good liquor cabinet or beer fridge, you may find extra American Cockroaches in and around your property than average; they seem to be drawn to the sugars within alcoholic drinks, particularly beer.

These pests are generally attracted to the smell of food and tend to like dark, moist environments. That's bad news for Lake County, which gets some form of precipitation about one of every three days, or 120 days in a year on average. We're known for our beautiful summers, but the pests that come with the warm and wet weather can taint the experience. Roaches can withstand temperatures as low as 32 degrees without being bothered, so our cold winters don't give them too much grief.

If you're struggling with roaches or other pests, go with a company that understands the area so they know how to best combat the infestation. Choose Westshore Pest Control, a locally owned and operated company based out of Mundelein. We tailor our pest control solutions to the individual client and situation we're dealing with, so you can rest easy knowing we'll give your family and property the best service available. Contact us today for a free estimate.