Not only are co*ckroaches known for their nightmarish, scuttling demeanour and ugly appearance, they’re also one of the most resilient pests you can find. Even if you’ve never seen a co*ckroach up close before, you’ve probably heard the famous myth that they’re the only creature that can survive a nuclear blast.
While this has done a lot to build the mystique and reputation of these pesky insects, it’s not quite true. Read on to learn about the truth behind the co*ckroach myth.
Origins of the myth
In the aftermath of the 1945 Hiroshima bomb, early reports emerged that co*ckroaches were the only thing to survive – they were seen roaming through the rubble. While you might think this is strong evidence, it doesn’t tell the whole story – but the myth was allowed to grow to cover any and all nuclear explosions. The fear that co*ckroaches would ‘inherit the Earth’ became more real, but this has since been put to bed by the Mythbusters team, in an episode aired on the Discovery Channel.
co*ckroaches and radiation
As it turns out, co*ckroaches can withstand a huge amount of radiation – which is why many survived the 1945 blasts. However, they’re not indestructible. In the tests conducted by Mythbusters, some German co*ckroaches were exposed to varying levels of radiation to see how much it took to finish them off. It was a lot. Humans will succumb to a relatively low amount of radiation – 1,000 rads will do the job in around ten minutes – but these co*ckroaches were defeated by exposure to 100,000 rads.
Again, this seems like damning evidence. But a nuclear blast isn’t solely radiation; there’s also the heat. The Hiroshima bomb is estimated to have measured gamma doses in the air of 10,300 rads – enough to kill a human, but not a co*ckroach. But the intensity of the heat from a nuclear blast will kill co*ckroaches instantly if exposed.
Different species, different results
While the Mythbusters test was carried out on German co*ckroaches, other species will have varying radiation resistance levels. There are 4,600 species of co*ckroaches – and only a small percentage of them – around 30 species – exhibit pest-like behaviour, but it’s safe to say that any species of co*ckroach would not be able to survive a direct nuclear bomb blast; if the radiation doesn’t get them, the heat and impact will.
co*ckroach control
If you’ve got a co*ckroach problem in your home or business, put your Geiger counter away and call in the professional pest control team at ClearFirst instead. We don’t resort to drastic measures to remove co*ckroach infestations, we tackle the source of the issue and work to create an environment that doesn’t encourage the recurrence of any infestation.
Call up ClearFirst Pest Control today to discuss your pest problem today. Our technicians will be on hand to advise and carry out effective treatments to your full requirements. To find out more, simply contact us today.
FAQs
There are 4,600 species of co*ckroaches – and only a small percentage of them – around 30 species – exhibit pest-like behaviour, but it's safe to say that any species of co*ckroach would not be able to survive a direct nuclear bomb blast; if the radiation doesn't get them, the heat and impact will.
Can insects survive a nuclear blast? ›
"They probably would survive the initial blast, but they need a complete food web," Tallamy said. "After that they need a viable environment, and that's probably what would be destroyed. So they probably die secondarily, but not in the first wave," Tallamy added.
Why did co*ckroaches survive mass extinction? ›
Lovett said it's possible co*ckroaches used their hiding skills and survival traits to endure. For example, as flat insects co*ckroaches can squeeze themselves into tight places. This enables them to hide practically anywhere — and it may have helped them survive the Chicxulub impact, he wrote.
Can co*ckroaches survive a meteor? ›
It turns out that they were nicely equipped to live through a meteoric catastrophe. If you've ever seen a co*ckroach, you've probably noticed that their bodies are very flat. This is not an accident. Flatter insects can squeeze themselves into tighter places.
How resilient are co*ckroaches? ›
co*ckroaches are notoriously resilient creatures. Capable of living headless for weeks on end, holding their breath for around five to seven minutes and even surviving nuclear radiation, the insects serve as formidable foes for humans hoping to rid their homes of pesky roach infestations.
Will roaches survive a nuclear bomb? ›
“The magnitude of effects of a nuclear explosion is far greater than what you might see in carefully controlled experiments and laboratory conditions.” So, everything points to the conclusion that no, co*ckroaches ultimately wouldn't survive a nuclear apocalypse.
Can co*ckroaches live after a nuclear bomb? ›
Their simpler bodies and much shorter lifespans inherently make them less vulnerable, but a co*ckroach can only survive between six and 15 times the lethal radiation dose for humans. The exception being the parasitic wasp Habrobracon, which can cope with over 180 times our lethal exposure.
Did co*ckroaches survive Hiroshima? ›
The Hiroshima bomb is estimated to have measured gamma doses in the air of 10,300 rads – enough to kill a human, but not a co*ckroach. But the intensity of the heat from a nuclear blast will kill co*ckroaches instantly if exposed.
How did co*ckroaches survive the atomic bomb? ›
With much slower cell reproduction cycle, roaches can withstand radiation, unless they are going through the 'molting process' or 'exoskeleton growing phase' when they are weak and vulnerable to the exposure with a high probability of fatality. Directly exposed to a nuclear blast, they succumb to intense heat.
Can co*ckroaches survive anything? ›
Roaches are also omnivores. Because they can and do eat just about anything, they are adapted to survive and even thrive in conditions that would kill other types of animals. While they can eat almost anything, they can also survive for a long period of time without food or water.
co*ckroaches have low radiation tolerance when compared to other insects. However, they still managed to survive after being exposed to 10,000 rad, which is 10 times the lethal dose for humans. The world may be inherited by flour beetles, but co*ckroaches would still likely outlive humans after a radioactive fallout.
What earth kills co*ckroaches? ›
Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to pets and humans, but it kills insects by destroying their exoskeletons.
What weather kills roaches? ›
They do not develop or reproduce when temperatures are too cold (below 45° F) or too hot (above 115° F). Hot and cold temperatures can be very effective in killing co*ckroaches, but the adverse temperatures must be maintained for a period of time.
What co*ckroaches are scared of? ›
It's a fact that co*ckroaches are afraid of humans and other mammals or animals that are bigger than them. They see us as predators and that fear triggers their instinct to scatter away. However, they dislike strong and distinctive scents such as citrus, peppermint, lavender and vinegar.
What are co*ckroaches weaknesses? ›
co*ckroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A co*ckroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them. There are smells they can not stand so we can use this to shoo them away from our homes.
Do co*ckroaches hate being touched? ›
co*ckroaches are so repulsed by humans that if they're. touched by a human, not only do they run away, but. they wash themselves. skin.
What insect would survive a nuclear bomb? ›
The co*ckroach is known for having Rasputin-esque survivability, capable of withstanding anything from nuclear radiation to decapitation.
What animal can survive a nuclear blast? ›
IT'S NOT just co*ckroaches. Lots of invertebrates will do rather well. Scorpions, for example, are so effective at relecting radiation that they glow when you shine an ultra-violet light on them. They would laugh off a nuclear winter, too.
What living thing can survive a nuclear bomb? ›
A type of wheel-shaped microscopic animal called bdelloid rotifers also have been found to be extremely resistant to radiation. So have tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets. Some fish, like goldfish or the mummichog, are quite hardy when it comes to withstanding radiation.
What bug can survive radiation? ›
co*ckroaches and radiation
As it turns out, co*ckroaches can withstand a huge amount of radiation – which is why many survived the 1945 blasts.
