Cockroach, Pest Or Pal? Viral Video Explains Jaw-Dropping Benefits Of Creepy Critters


The cockroach. In most homes, the mere sign of a cockroach may lead to a seemingly endless period of screams, screeches and absolute panic. In most cases, the average person is not necessarily going to take the time to think of a “peaceful” way of addressing an issue with these creepy critters. On the other hand, chances are that they would quickly research effective methods and tools used to annihilate and terminate the bugs as soon as possible.

However, a now-viral video from Discovery News paints a somewhat different picture when it comes to cockroaches in general. The video first acknowledges the average person’s initial reaction to cockroaches as well as the puzzling and confusing question, “Why do cockroaches exist?”

The answer to the question of the existence of cockroaches, though, is where things get interesting within the four-minute video.

According to an article published by the Huffington Post, which was referenced in the YouTube video, the average cockroach plays an instrumental role in the earth’s vital nitrogen cycle. The article quoted a statement given by Srini Kambhampati, a professor and chair of the Biology department of the University of Texas.

“Most cockroaches feed on decaying organic matter, which traps a lot of nitrogen. Cockroach feeding has the effect of releasing that nitrogen (in their feces) which then gets into the soil and is used by plants. In other words, extinction of cockroaches would have a big impact on forest health and therefore indirectly on all the species that live there.”

Further reports claim that the benefits of cockroaches extends far beyond the realm of the nitrogen cycle. According to Phys.org, the brain of a cockroach just might store a world of new antibiotics.

A team of experts and scientists from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science within the University of Nottingham reportedly discovered impressive antibiotic properties within the brains of both locusts and cockroaches.

Benefit of cockroaches [Photo by Fotolia/AP Images]

These antibiotics could potentially lead to revolutionary treatments for resistant bacterial infections – especially since the creature’s brain tissues and nervous system is apparently able to kill over 90 percent of pathogenic Escherichia coli without damaging any human cells.

“We hope that these molecules could eventually be developed into treatments for E. coli and MRSA infections that are increasingly resistant to current drugs. These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects.”

For many years, cockroaches have maintained a reputation of being disgusting creatures that need to be squashed, crushed, killed and destroyed at first sight – especially inside of a residence or business. However, according to this video and various reports, cockroaches play a much more important role within the Earth that many people may not realize or choose not to admit.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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