Cockroaches have been around for over 300 million years, and there are no signs of them vanishing any time soon. The good news is that there are only 30 species out of an estimated 3,500 that are adapted to invading human homes. The bad news? You're probably dealing with one out of those 30 species right now.

After trying an assortment of traps, sprays, home remedies, and even a thorough stomping or two, it may seem impossible to get an ongoing infestation under control. To get an idea of why it's so hard to get rid of cockroaches, here are a few factors that give them an edge against the average homeowner.

1. Size

Cockroaches come in a variety of sizes, but most home-invading varieties have to be small to move through the various nooks and crannies throughout your home. For instance, a typical German cockroach measures in at around 1.1 to 1.6 centimeters long. Some species of cockroach can even squeeze through gaps as thick as a U.S. quarter.

2. Numbers

Cockroaches also have sheer numbers on their side, thanks largely to their prodigious reproductive rates. Throughout its life, a single female German cockroach can produce several egg-bearing capsules, with each containing anywhere from 18 to 50 eggs. Cockroaches can quickly progress from nymph to adult stage in a matter of weeks, ensuring they can replenish a devastated population within a few generations.

3. Resilience

People often joke about cockroaches being the sole survivors of nuclear war, but cockroaches can survive a wide variety of less dramatic conditions. German cockroaches can survive cold weather as long as they have good shelter and an ample food supply.

Cockroaches can also withstand injuries that would kill other insects. For instance, cockroaches can lose limbs without bleeding out. To add insult to injury, those limbs will eventually grow back. Even if a cockroach loses its head, it can still survive for up to a week.

4. Adaptability

Cockroaches are also exceptionally adaptable insects, especially when it comes to food supplies. Although cockroaches prefer sugary foods, they can turn to other sources of nutrition. It's not unusual to see cockroaches feasting on things like glue, cardboard, electrical wiring, or excrement. Cockroaches may even turn on each other if they're hungry enough. Although relatively rare, cockroaches can also bite humans.

Cockroaches can also develop a resistance to commonly used insecticides over time, making certain household pest sprays useless. For more information, contact a company like Gainesville Pest Control LLC.