In a recent interview with Malta Daily, Arnold Sciberras ‘The Exterminator’ broke down Malta’s current cockroach situation and how to spot the difference between different species.
Sciberras started by stating that what most people are seeing is called the ‘German Cockroach’, the species which the Maltese derivatively call ‘Kokroċ’. He stated that, throughout the years, the Maltese language has effectively categorised the smaller species as ‘kokroċ’, while the other larger species are called ‘wirdien’.
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The Exterminator explained that, since the days of English rule in Malta, the smaller species have been known as ‘kokroċ’, stemming directly from the word ‘cockroaches’, highlighting that such creatures, like other species, require chemicals or bait to be controlled as they tend to multiplied if left uncontrolled.
On the other hand, the ‘American cockroach’, which are larger, often tend to fly and scare residents, are recognised as ‘wirdien’ in Malta.
Sciberras went on to reveal that Malta has 23 types of cockroach species, with three of these being categorised as ‘pests’ whilst the others beneficial, introduced or endemic, which means that they are unique to Malta and positively contribute to the country’s biodiversity.
#MaltaDaily
