If you are of the squeamish type, stop reading now. You have been warned.
The resilient cockroach class is on a rampage across the country, most notably in Dublin.
According to figures released by leading pest control firm Rentokil, callouts relating to cockroach infestations rose by a whopping 69% in 2016. Two-thirds of these calls originated in the capital.
Cockroaches pose a severe health risk for humans, as they can cause salmonella infections, gastroenteritis, and exacerbate asthma, among other issues.
The cockroach insect class is a tough and resilient one. Specimens can tolerate a wide range of environments, for example, from deep cold to more temperate tropical climates. And ‘roaches can keep up their activities after a month without food intake, or survive on soap residue if they have to.
They can grow to a considerable size, too, with the larger species sporting a hefty 9cm body length (that’s about 3/4 of the length of a standard mobile phone.)