If you ever took high school biology, I’m sure you’ve heard of Pavlov’s dogs. More than a century ago, Ivan Pavlov was the first to demonstrate that animals could learn to associate food with a noise. Pavlov’s dogs learned to salivate in anticipation of chow time when he rang a bell. Humans are the only other species who can be conditioned to salivate (just think of the last time you saw a burger commercial) — until now.

Japanese scientists at Tohoku University have conditioned cockroaches to salivate when exposed to the scent of sugar syrup. Roaches that can learn! It boggles the imagination! I fancifully envision new breakthroughs in pest management. Perhaps roaches could eventually be conditioned to line up and march to the sound of a flute. Like the pied piper we could come into your home, play a few bars and lead the creepy crawlies outside and far away. I’m sure you’d be willing to help out with flute lessons for the gang in the shop.

Unfortunately that’s unlikely to happen. I can’t imagine what relevance science will find for cuing roaches to salivate on command, but some day it may prove useful. Until then we’re stuck with the tried and true methods of removing these pesky insects from your home or business. If you have a roach problem, don’t delay. Give the insect control specialists at Stern Environmental Group a call today.

Roaches bring disease and bacteria into your home and are a primary cause of the increasing number of asthma cases in our cities, particularly among children. Click the post title to learn more about cockroaches and Stern’s effective pest control program. You’ll sleep well tonight when you get “Stern” with your pests.