First Response Cockroaches
Scientists at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina are putting cockroaches to good use for a change. They’re planning on their system of electronically equipped roaches saving lives during disasters like earthquakes, fires and chemical attacks. Cockroaches are suiting up with miniature backpacks that have microchip sensors, and they are then steered around by using low frequency electrical pulses that the insects pick up with their antenna. The equipped roaches work kind of like a wireless remote control cars mounted with cameras and microphones. As long as you continue feeding the roaches electrical impulses, they will keep going.
Once these cockroaches are outfitted, they will be able to make their way through the fallen ruble and debris. The roaches will look to locate trapped victims with their mounted cameras, and use their microphones to pick up cries for help. This will enable responders in locating trapped victims and send help quickly. Researchers at the University believe that their efforts will make a big difference, especially after disasters in heavily inhabited metropolitan areas.
The research team is outfitting the Madagascar hissing cockroach, one of the world’s biggest species of roach. They can grow up to three inches long, but are still small enough to make their way through the fallen debris. Click here to read more.
What Else Can Roaches Do?
It’s fascinating to read about all the remarkable things the insect world can do for us, including cockroaches. For each story of insects helping humanity, there are millions more negative stories. Roaches pose a severe health risk. They leave behind feces and saliva that have the potential of spreading 33 different types of bacteria. Cockroaches also have specific proteins that have can cause severe allergic and asthmatic reactions. Additionally, cockroaches are hosts to six different parasitic worms and quite a few human pathogens.
If you are living in Charlotte, NC area, and have a cockroach problem inside your home, contact a local exterminator immediately. Don’t put your health in jeopardy. Let’s let the researchers at NC State University find better uses for the cockroaches.
Bulwark Exterminating
1801 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 321-3716
bulwarkpestcontrol.com
A-1 Wildlife Control
Wilgrove-Minthill Road
Charlotte, NC 28227
(704) 334-1922
a1wildlifecontrol.net
A-A Wildlife Damage Control
301 Bradford Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 608-6950
aawildlife.com
Orkin
5100 Reagan Drive
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 694-6655
orkin.com
December 28th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
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