High temperatures are believed to be the cause of the increase in mutated cockroach populations. Insecticides are no longer effective against them, leaving people exhausted in their attempts to cope.
According to Euro News, climate change is not only causing a concerning rise in the number of cockroaches but also altering their genetic structure.
High Temperatures Cause Cockroach “Mutations”
In Spain, authorities report that the number of cockroaches has increased by approximately 33% compared to 2023. Experts suggest that record high temperatures are the reason for the emergence of these “mutated” cockroaches.
Spain reports an increase in “mutated” cockroaches – (Photo: Shutterstock).
Rising temperatures translate to an accelerated metabolic cycle for cockroaches. This is particularly evident in the German cockroach, which raises considerable concern as this species is very common in households and food businesses.
Higher than average temperatures also prolong the breeding season of cockroaches while increasing their resistance to insecticides.
All these factors relate to broader and more serious public health issues. Many people have observed cockroaches appearing more frequently in both residential and commercial areas.
Jorge Galván, director of the National Association of Environmental Health Enterprises (ANECPLA), stated that experts are concerned that this genetic change is challenging effective population control of cockroaches. Global warming is also “the ideal condition for egg hatching.”
Carlos Pradera, technical director at Anticimex, a pest control company, commented that “the more humans fight cockroaches, the greater their endurance and adaptability become“, according to Murcia Today.
Not only cockroaches, but other insect species like the Aedes mosquito are also starting to become immune to human methods of pest control.
The Need for More Sustainable Pest Control Methods
However, pest control professionals are striving to address this situation by moving towards less invasive and more sustainable methods, ranging from improving hygiene practices to using mechanical traps.
Pradera considers these to be “the best solutions.” Experts also view this approach as “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
The German cockroach was first discovered in Europe in the 18th century and has been controlled through various methods over the decades. In the 1990s, spraying insecticides was replaced by using “sweet baits” containing insecticides. This method releases fewer harmful chemicals into the environment.
However, today’s cockroach species are increasingly insensitive to these pest control methods, meaning that many of them can survive and thrive.
Cockroaches tend to awaken from dormancy as spring approaches. According to WebMD, cockroaches not only emit a foul odor but also spread diseases as they roam everywhere, carrying a multitude of bacteria on their bodies.
Cockroaches are most active at night. As a result, many people are increasingly noticing cockroaches scuttling around villas or hotels in Spain as the sun sets. This not only exhausts local residents but also raises concerns among tourists planning to visit Spain in the summer.
