The Not-So-Fun Facts About Cockroaches Cockroaches are equal
opportunity invaders. Regardless of who a person is, how they
make a living, or where they reside, cockroaches can be a
problem. Roaches enter homes and businesses through cracks and
crevices in the walls and floors. They walk through open doors
and stowaway in empty boxes from the storage shed. Cockroaches
are waterproof. A thick protective coating of waxes and oils
keeps the cockroach from drying out. Without this coating, the
insect dies of dehydration. To preserve this coating, roaches
groom themselves regularly, brushing their “hairs,” combing
antennae and rubbing up against objects to stimulate productions
of body oils. Cockroaches are killed off by eye wash. Boric cid,
the antiseptic powder used in eye washes, is extremely effective
in roach control. Cockroaches don’t recognize boric acid as a
poison, so they walk right through it. The powder sticks to
their legs and antennae, and they ingest it while cleaning
themselves. Within a day or two,