Newton's Apple : Teacher Guide

How do they get into our houses and how can we get them out?
Most cockroaches originated in Africa. Now they are found in all parts ofthe world. How might this spread of cockroaches have occurred?
You have just found cockroaches in your home. What will you do?

Connections

1. Most cockroaches originated in Africa. Now they are found in all parts of the world. How might this spread of cockroaches have occurred? 2. You have just found cockroaches in your home. What will you do?

Vocabulary

antennae:: a pair of sensory feelers on the head of an insect
bacteria:: microscopic organisms that, in this case, aid in a cockroach's digestion
boric acid:: a medical antiseptic; a powder that acts as an insecticide for cockroaches
cerci:: small nerve endings on the back of a cockroach that can detect changes in air pressure and movement
entomologists:: scientists who study insects
nocturnal:: active at night
omnivorous:: eating both animals and plants; in the case of cockroaches, eating almost anything
palpi:: sensitive appendages attached to the oral part of a cockroach enabling it to pre-taste food

Try This

Cockroaches TRY ITS

Overview

Cockroaches. We humans consider them the "rats of the insect world," yet cockroaches could be considered one of the most successful creatures on earth. Entomologists have found fossilized cockroaches that are more than 300 million years old. Amazingly enough, these fossilized cockroaches look very similar to the ones scurrying around in our yards and homes today. There are over 4,000 species of cockroaches. As one of nature's recyclers, they are often found eating natural forest debris. A few find their way into our kitchens, basements, and bathrooms, coming up through the drains, sneaking in through cracks, or carried in on grocery bags. These cockroaches are usually looking for warm, moist, dark places to call home. Cockroaches, by design, are survivors. They are nocturnal , making them hard to spot. If they are discovered, their flat bodies make it easy for them to escape into small crevices. Their antennae and cerci help them detect changes in vibrations and air pressure, making it difficult to even step on them. Cockroaches are omnivorous . They eat anything from dog food to plaster. Internal bacteria help cockroaches digest these unusual meals. If necessary, cockroaches can live for three months without food and one month without water. Although cockroaches preen regularly, they are still suspected of transmitting diseases such as salmonella, dysentery, and typhus. They are also suspected of causing allergic reactions in half of the 17 million people afflicted with asthma. Have cockroaches appeared in your home? Implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. First, start by making the site less attractive to cockroaches by storing food in tight containers and maintaining high sanitary standards. Then, if you must use pesticides, read the warning labels carefully. Traps and boric acid can be used instead of highly-toxic sprays. Although an IPM is a safer approach for the environment, following it probably won't enable you to get rid of cockroaches completely. Remember, cockroaches have been around for 300 million years. They are sure to be around for a long time to come.

Activity

Design a cockroach trap. See if you can catch one. Are cockroaches your invisible neighbors? Make a guess as to where you might find them. Design your own cockroach trap, or team up with your classmates. Then set out on an expedition to trap a cockroach. Materials

wide-mouth container
container lid with holes
masking tape OR black paint OR black construction paper
petroleum jelly
cardboard strip OR wooden tongue depressor
food for cockroach bait

Coat the outside of your container with masking tape, black paint, or construction paper to make the inside of your container dark and inviting to a cockroach.
Smear a wide band of petroleum jelly around the inside of the container just below the neck.
Add bits of food to the container for cockroach bait.
Where in your school, home, or community might cockroaches be hiding? Select a site, get permission, then go and set up your trap. Place the trap on its side. Create a miniature ramp using the cardboard strip or tongue depressor, extending the ramp from the floor to the container.
If you catch a few cockroaches, quickly screw the lid on tightly. You don't want any cockroaches to escape. Notify the building authorities of your discovery.

Resources

Additional sources of information:

Community resources:

NEWTON'S APPLE is a production of Twin Cities Public Television and is made possible by a grant from the 3M Foundation.

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