Ipissss!

BY KIM ATIENZA

I read somewhere from long ago that cockroaches will live on earth much longer than humans. The article also stated that these insects can survive even a nuclear explosion.

Why is that so when we, humans, are so afraid and angry at them that we squish them with our slippers at first sight? We scream, “Ipissss!,” then run for our life.

Cockroaches are among the sturdiest of insects, belonging to the order Blattodea, which also includes termites.

There are about 30 cockroach species out of 4,600 that are associated with human habitats. Some are well known as pests, although if you ask Filipinos, all cockroaches are pests.

Cockroaches are omnivores. They eat plants and meat. They have been recorded to eat human flesh of both the living and the dead, although they are more likely to take a bite of fingernails, eyelashes, feet and hands.

The bites may cause irritation, lesions and swelling.

According to Encyclopaedia Brittanica, cockroaches fall under the most primitive living winged insects.

They appear today much like they do in fossils that are more than 320 million years old. The word cockroach is a corruption of the Spanish cucaracha.

TRIVIA PA MORE (Various Sources): Extracts of makabuhay and neem plants are effective in controlling cockroach.

Baboons are large monkeys that can be found in Africa. They have long, dog-like snouts and large teeth.

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Send your questions on anything and everything to Kuya Kim through my Twitter account @kuyakim_atienza using #AlaminKayKuyaKim.