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View Full Version : Thai Gov't Warns Against Cockroaches As Pets


Lasher
08-20-2002, 06:49 PM
Roaches Become Health Risk If Let Loose
Posted: 10:04 a.m. EDT August 20, 2002

BANGKOK, Thailand -- The government of Thailand is trying to discourage a new fad that might be more dangerous than pet rocks. They're pet cockroaches.

Raising giant African cockroaches is all the rage in Bangkok. But the government says the bugs could become a health risk if they're let loose.

The country's public health minister says the roaches can thrive on all kinds of food. They breed quickly and live up to three years.

The bugs can also carry disease.

The sale of the roaches isn't illegal. But officials are requesting that vendors stop selling them. The fad became a concern after Thai newspapers reported last week that some businessmen have brought in the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach from Africa. They're selling them as pets for about $1.20 apiece.

The insect is named for the noise it makes during mating rituals. It grows up to two and a-half inches long.



http://www.thedenverchannel.com/sh/news/stories/nat-news-162260120020820-090820.html
eeigh33
08-20-2002, 07:04 PM
OMG...this makes my stomach turn in all sorts of ways....:eek:
ahippiechic
08-20-2002, 07:07 PM
Oh, nasty! :(
Lasher
08-20-2002, 07:08 PM
LOL didn't the title give ya a hint?:D
ckerr4
08-20-2002, 08:32 PM
yuck yuck yuck - what the heck do you do with that kind of a pet:eek: :confused:
kelblend
08-20-2002, 08:36 PM
OH that is just soooooo gross!!! Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

glad there wasn't any pics. :eek: :eek: :eek:
Linnapoo
08-20-2002, 08:44 PM
When I was in high school I had to babysit hissing cockroaches for my Biology teacher. They were so gross. I hated to feed them. Ewwww!
captorquewrench
08-21-2002, 07:30 AM
they are nasty! I have seen them in pet stores here!
RobMom
08-21-2002, 07:40 AM
Gross! Why would someone want them as pets?:eek:
mimi37
08-21-2002, 08:07 AM
We had one as a pet about a year ago. The pet shop called them African hissing beetles. The dog knocked it's cage off the table one day and ate it.:rolleyes:
missymommy
08-21-2002, 08:27 AM
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww! What happened to crickets, aren't they supposed to be lucky or something. And not as gross too.
Widgetsx3
08-21-2002, 09:01 AM
And this is a serious problem?????? OMG I empty a can on Raid on one of the little b@$t@rdS if I see it (or Aqua Net and a lighter). <shudder>
fairydana
08-21-2002, 11:53 AM
ummm, I guess its good that we are all in agreement that NOONE here wants a roach as a pet. LMAO. That is really strange. :D