Why Do We Lose It Over Roaches

January 27, 2020

Entomophobia (also referred to as insectophobia), is the fear of insects. This is a relatively common fear in the western part of the world, especially in urban areas that provide a more attractive habitat for bugs. What is it about bugs, and specifically cockroaches, that freaks us out so badly? To answer that question, we need to take a look at our own evolution and how it's hardwired our brains to react to certain stimuli.

Hardwired Reflexes

Fear and disgust are the two strongest and most universally negative human emotions. Both have developed in the oldest part of our brains to identify threats and help keep us alive.

Fear

We assign diverse levels of fear response to different situations or items, based on the threat they appear to present.

That's why we cringe at the sight of a big, winged palmetto bug, but not a puppy.

Disgust

Our disgust response is equally compelling, warning us of potential disease or contamination. The sight and smells of decay, dead animals, and fecal matter are among the strongest disgust responses. Creatures like rats, mice, and roaches trigger this same response.

Nurture (the combination of environment and learned behavior) can build atop these foundational instincts, as well. A small child seeing a parent scream in fear, run away, or smash a cockroach (all reactions outside the norm of the parent's behavior, and signaling danger) will associate the same fear and loathing to cockroaches. It's not just kids that are susceptible to this type of conditioning, either. What percentage of the population do you suppose had an aversion to clowns prior to "IT," the bestselling novel and movie by Stephen King?

The roaches oily, greasy appearance, ureic smell, and chosen habitats (dark, dank, & dirty) are all conditions that our brains are wired to be wary of. Then there's their speed. Anything that can move faster than we can, will trigger the fear response due to our ancestor's need to outrun hungry predators.

Cockroaches can travel over 3 miles per hour. Relative to their size, that's the equivalent to a human sprint of 200 mph. In other words, the speed of a cheetah. Let's face it; fast zombies are scarier than slow zombies. And while, of course, a charging cockroach does not present the same threat as a charging cheetah (or a zombie for that matter), our hardwired instincts don't work that way. Instead, they keep a remarkably simple rating system: "safe" or "dangerous," and then assigning a level of response based upon that judgment.

Fear of Contamination

The base fear behind most insect fears is that of contamination and sickness. Cockroaches are incredibly filthy. Not only do they harbor disease-producing pathogens but, given their environment, they carry a wide variety of bacteria on their feet, legs, and bodies. The same can be said for a kitten, by the way, but again, our hardwiring rates them as "soft and adorable" and not "disgusting and dangerous." Roaches can cause or exacerbate many diseases, including:

Typhoid
Dysentery
Polio
Salmonella
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Eczema
Asthma

Cockroaches could destroy food stores, too, which would have been another cause of revulsion to our ancestors, who often faced starvation in winter if their food supplies ran short. Add to this the roach's "sneaky" behavior and desire to avoid detection even as it creeps into our most personal spaces.

Cockroach Facts

They can live for more than a week without their heads, and eventually die only because they have no other means of ingesting water.
Cockroaches have around 4,600 sub-species.
They are known to carry allergens that will cause problems people living with asthma.
Roaches are transporters of bacteria across all surfaces they touch.
Most people have an adverse reaction towards cockroaches because of their size, armored-body look, and shiftiness of movement.
Roaches mate only once but will produce 300-400 offspring from that mating, each of which will be ready to reproduce in only 3-4 months and can live up to 4 years. This is the main reason why it's so important to contact a professional exterminator as soon as you see or suspect the beginning of an infestation.
Cockroaches have been around since the dawn of man. They have adapted to the planet's many changes and are likely the most repulsed creature around the globe.

Insects have always spread disease and destroyed property. Those who lacked a sense of caution towards them, tended to sicken and die off, leaving the people that feared them to dominate the gene pool and, hence, we've evolved to avoid most creepy-crawlies automatically…like cockroaches.

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How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

By Rebekah Blanton • March 14, 2026

How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Removing ants from your home can be challenging, and if not executed properly, it may exacerbate the issue and allow the colony to spread throughout your residence. Numerous over-the-counter pesticides are marketed for ant control, but they often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. What Lures Carpenter Ants Ants invade your home because they discover an environment that offers favorable conditions along with food and water sources. Typically, ants are drawn to moisture issues, particularly Carpenter Ants. Over time, the barriers that prevent moisture from penetrating the wood in your home deteriorate. Windowsills and door frames begin to degrade, caulking cracks, and moisture seeps into these areas. When wood moisture levels rise, it creates an inviting environment for various wood-destroying pests, including ants. Carpenter Ants utilize their mandibles to excavate the wood, creating nesting cavities. While they do not consume wood like termites , they can still inflict damage, including structural harm to your home if not addressed promptly. Black Carpenter Ants Ants, in general, are social insects, each fulfilling specific roles within their colony. They collaborate and share resources throughout their community. To effectively eliminate ants, it is crucial not to disrupt their activities but rather to provide them with something they recognize as food or a substance they cannot detect, which will spread throughout the colony and eradicate the source of the infestation. Carpenter Ants, in particular, can have multiple satellite colonies away from the main colony, depending on their level of establishment. The primary colony can be located up to 300 feet from a satellite colony, often found in decaying trees, logs, or nearby woodpiles. How to Treat Carpenter Ants – Mount Gilead, Ohio Many homeowners prefer to tackle these annoying pests on their own to save some money. While this might seem like a cost-effective choice, it can sometimes worsen the issue by embedding the problem deeper into your home, causing the colony to spread and divide. Many over-the-counter solutions, such as chemicals, essential oils, and vinegar, are designed to repel insects quickly, providing a temporary fix. This approach may push the ants out of sight, but it creates a repellant barrier that can lead to the ants splitting into two groups, allowing them to infiltrate untreated areas of your home. Consequently, this method fails to eliminate the source colony from which the ants originate. Liquid Ant Bait For minor ant infestations, using an over-the-counter borax ant bait can be an effective first step in the elimination process until a pest control expert can evaluate and address the issue properly. Ant baits are specifically designed to attract ants, which perceive them as food, and they subsequently distribute it throughout the colony. Borax ant baits offer a low-risk option to help prevent a larger infestation from developing. Control Carpenter Ants – Columbus, Ohio In the end, having ants in your home can pose a more significant problem than just the few visible in your kitchen or bathroom. Engaging a pest control professional like Restoration Pest Management, who can accurately diagnose and treat the infestation, is the most effective solution for long-term success . While homeowners can perform localized and spot treatments, a pest control expert will ensure your whole home is safeguarded against ant invasions both now and in the future. Contact Restoration Pest Management today at 614-204-8630 for your complimentary quote.