Cockroaches are capable of surviving in just about any environment.
Since they’re so versatile, they’re easily transferred from one home to another. However, if your house is prone to cockroach infestations, you need to realize that not every cockroach killer works.
Temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit and above 115 degrees Fahrenheit are lethal to cockroaches. So, what temperatures kill a cockroach?
Let’s find out now.
What Temperatures Cause a Cockroach to Die?
Contents
Extreme heat or temperature exceeding 115 degrees Fahrenheit can kill roaches within five minutes. Beyond this number, the duration time for death to occur increases with temperature.
In laboratory studies, researchers found that it takes between 15 to 20 minutes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill a cockroach.
This is four times the duration which it would take at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes up to 45 minutes to kill a pest that can withstand high temperatures.
The cockroach, on the other hand, cannot sustain the high temperatures and will succumb to it after only few minutes at a temperature of about about more than this level.
As a consequence, the cockroach’s breathing rate increases and it will eventually stop moving when the body temperature exceeds its tolerance level.
Ideal Temperature For Cockroaches
Cockroaches prefer temperatures ranging between 70°F and 80°F. Their metabolism is slowed down by low temperatures and they go into hibernation-like state.
This is the period when the roaches eat less and less and become less active.
However, the temperature range for cockroaches is wide, since they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures that range between 32°F and 107°F.
This temperature tolerance allows them survive in various climatic conditions like dry areas as well as moist conditions.
They can live in temperatures ranging from below freezing point to a maximum of about +120° Fahrenheit.
However, they are most at home at temperatures around +70° Fahrenheit.
Will Roaches Die in a Hot Car?
Roaches are annoying pests, but the question remains: Will they die in a hot car? The answer is yes and no.
Roaches tend to die at 114 degrees Fahrenheit and above, which means the temperature in your car can easily reach this level.
But how can you make sure that roaches won’t die in your car? Here are a few things you can do:
Put the Windows Down
This might feel counterintuitive, but opening the windows in your car will help keep your car cool, thus lowering the temperature inside your car.
Clean the Floors
Roaches tend to gather under floor mats, so remember to clean them. Also, vacuum your car regularly.
Keep It Cool
Avoid leaving food in your car. Also, don’t leave your car running with the engine on during the day.
How to Kil Roaches With Heat
Roaches live everywhere that human inhabits. They are annoying and gross, but they pose no serious health risks.
Still, there are some cases in which roaches are undesirable and need to be removed immediately.
Examples of these situations could include infestation of roaches in a hotel room, a roach infestation at home or cockroaches in your workplace.
Roaches prefer dark and warm places, such as under furniture, in cabinets, and behind walls.
The most common types of roaches are the German, American, Oriental and Smokybrown roaches.
If you have found roaches in your home, apartment or workplace, you need to get rid of them as soon as possible to avoid an infestation. Here are a few ways to get rid of roaches:
- Heat – This is a simple way to get rid of roaches. Heat kills roaches on contact and eliminates them within seconds.
- Chemical – Insecticides are an effective way to get rid of roaches. They contain chemicals that kill roaches on contact. However, the use of insecticides requires caution. Always read the label and follow instructions carefully.
How to Kill Roaches with Cold
Roaches die at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a couple of ways to lower the temperature in your home rapidly and catch roaches in the act:
When temperatures are low, roaches huddle together and constitute clusters in an attempt to protect themselves from the elements.
As a result, you can lower the temperature to 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and lower the temperature over time.
The reduction is slow enough to provide roaches an opportunity to escape. However, if you are patient enough, you can catch them in the act when they come out seeking warmth from your house.
As a result, the cold temperature will kill them before they have a chance to escape.
Also Read: How Long Can a Cockroach Survive In a Microwave?
Final Words
Cockroaches can survive in extreme temperatures.
In fact, they can survive temperatures between 32 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
But, cockroaches can only survive at these extreme temperatures for a very short period of time.
At these temperatures, cockroaches can easily freeze or die from dehydration.
Ultimately, cockroaches can only survive extreme temperatures if they are inside somewhere warm or in an area where the temperature is constantly fluctuating.
Roaches that find themselves exposed to extreme temperatures will quickly die.
