This insect has more than 20 “clicks”. One of the rooted names for the red-haired, mustachioed creature is Prusak. Due to origin. Since its appearance on Russian territory is associated with the war between Napoleon and Prussia. It’s interesting that in Germany they say the opposite, and call this creature “rusaki”. But the most interesting nickname, of course, is Stasik. Why are cockroaches called Stasiks?
Marine version
It has long been ingrained in the minds of most people that the words cockroach and stasik are synonymous. There are many versions of awarding the Prussians with an affectionate and euphonious nickname, but the most common is called the sea one.
The reason is maritime and prison folklore, and this version, by the way, is confirmed by historical facts.
So, prisoners and sailors often called the widespread pubic lice a strong curse word. It was generally accepted that the causes of this infection were people of non-traditional sexual orientation, for whom harsh obscene words were used.
Over time, the use of swear words was considered unethical . And the strong curse word was replaced with the softer-sounding word “stas.” Many call cockroaches this way to this day. The diminutive nickname “stasik” is also used.
Mustached version
It can be explained why cockroaches are called stasikas: the nickname was attached to the insects in connection with the most important feature - the mustache.
There are two versions:
- In pre-revolutionary times, the male name Stanislav was popular in noble families. The bearers of this name had a thick, lush mustache, which was carefully maintained. In addition, the people noted the craftiness and mobility of the Stanislavs, and since cockroaches run quickly, a line of correspondence was drawn between the nimble men and the insects.
- The second version is as follows: previously it was believed that the Stanislavs had a thick mustache. And if they had a red color and a characteristic curl, such men looked like insects.
According to the above versions, the diminutive nickname “stasik” was chosen due to their nimbleness, long mustache and small size.
Blame the mustache
Stasik cockroaches The second version of why cockroaches are called stasiks is related to their appearance, especially their mustache.
In the last century, for a certain period of time, it was fashionable for men to wear long, curled mustaches. Such fashionistas were mockingly called cockroaches. At the same time, it was noticed that men with the name Stas liked long mustaches. Because of them, the insects were given this name, but since they are small, the nickname turned out to be an affectionate and mocking “stasik”.
Anecdotal version
On the territory of the Soviet Union, the anecdote about a gray wolf suffering from a hangover, past whom a red cockroach, whose name sounded none other than Stasik, had the imprudence to run past was quite popular. The forest orderly, due to his own poor health, swatted the insect, supplying the movement with the phrase “if only you knew how bad I feel, Stasik.”
The above version can hardly be considered reliable, since the anecdote was distributed only in Russia . However, the nickname stasik has long been used to identify cockroaches in Ukraine, Belarus and other neighboring countries. However, this hypothesis also has a relative right to exist.
The funny thing is that if this option is true, then the choice of the name of the insect by the joke writer would determine how the mustachioed pests would be called in the future.
That is, if the author of the funny cockroach story had called Fedenka or Mishenka, these are the names that would have been in use to this day. It is difficult to imagine that insects that cause harm to households are called differently, however, the phrase stasik has not previously been mentioned to define parasites.
Red Prussians
Red cockroaches are the most common household pests in Russia. The name “Prusak” is firmly attached to the insect. Residents of Russia came up with this name for cockroaches because they believed that cockroaches were brought from Germany. Several centuries ago, Germany was called Prussia.
Germans and Czechs, on the contrary, consider red cockroaches to be “natives” from Russia.
In fact, cockroaches came to Europe and Russia from South Asia and took root in many countries, despite the cool climate.
Prussians are heat-loving insects that die at temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, pests settle in warm apartments.
REFERENCE: The main invasion of cockroaches into our country began during the Napoleonic wars.
Prussian soldiers captured a large number of cities and villages in the European part of Russia. Therefore, local residents could well have formed the opinion that the red cockroaches were brought with them by the German invaders.
In Prussia, residents had a similar opinion - they believed that pests appeared along with the Russian conquerors. That's why the Germans called red cockroaches hares. In the Balkans, insects were called bubarus, which translated means “Russian beetles.”
In fact, red cockroaches entered Russia and European countries at the same time. The massive spread of pests coincided with large-scale wars. In this regard, the impression was that red cockroaches are a consequence of military operations.
REFERENCE: The version of Russian peasants who believe that cockroaches came from Prussia was confirmed by the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus.
Doubles version
The presence of luxurious mustaches on cockroaches can explain the possibility of applying to them the nickname not only Stasik, but Felix. It's easy to explain. As you know, Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, a security officer in the Russian post-revolutionary space, had amazingly luxurious, rich facial hair.
People who are keen on nicknames, including offensive ones, quickly noted this outstanding feature and began calling nasty indoor parasites by the name Felix.
What are other names for cockroaches in different countries?
Cockroaches, as mentioned above, are the most common parasites. Even the ubiquitous blood-sucking bedbugs appear in homes much less frequently. It is precisely because of this prevalence that people use a lot of different names, each of which is funnier than the other.
The most popular ones:
- Felix. One of the popular nicknames reflects the mood of the people of the post-revolutionary space. The generally hated security officer Dzerzhinsky had a luxurious thick mustache, which did not go unnoticed. It is thanks to him that parasites are still called felixes.
- Prusak. The massive appearance of pests in the territories of villages and cities of the Russian state began during the invasion of their territories by Napoleon’s troops, that is, Prussian troops, this is what determines the name of the parasites. It is difficult to say whether it was the French soldiers who actually caused the massive spread of insects, but the fact remains. Before Bonaparte's invasion, there were no cockroaches in the Russian Empire.
- Russian. The following fact is also interesting: the massive appearance of insects on French territory also coincided with the time of penetration of Russian troops, that is, the French believe that the cause of the appearance of parasites was Russian soldiers. Scientists suggest that this phenomenon is actually explained as follows: periods of war simply coincided with periods of rapid increase in the population of red cockroaches, which are distinguished by their tenacity and are distributed everywhere.
- Tarasiki. The aristocratic and noble name for cockroaches, Stas, simply did not take root in the everyday life of ordinary people; the name Tarasik, which was easier to remember, came along. By the way, this nickname is still used to refer to people who are not neat and tidy.
- Trams, tanks, cars. These names are still used in everyday life; it is easy to explain such interesting names. The given nicknames have some similarity in sound with the word cockroaches. In addition, the speed of movement of parasites is important.
- Ryzhiki or Shuriki. The given nicknames explain the external color of the red parasites. These names were more often used in the Soviet Union, but they still enjoy considerable popularity to this day.
- Zhivchiki. The name is popular, but its origin is unknown.
So, the reasons for the appearance of funny names were discussed above . It’s easy to explain why they have taken root among the people - it’s much easier to call unpleasant red-haired parasites using abbreviated funny phrases.
How to destroy “Stasik” in an apartment
The insects are so agile and tenacious that it seems impossible to completely eliminate them. It is clear that they get on your nerves with their presence and bad associations and indecent words involuntarily arise. A student in a dormitory describes the situation: “When I see Stasik, I take a slipper!” Unfortunately, this method definitely won’t get rid of it.
The fear of cockroaches is associated with their large number. Individually, each of them does not cause much awe. And when the crowd spreads in different directions, you want to jump much higher.
First you should try to find out where they came from. Go around asking neighbors, visit the basement. If it turns out that their neighbors were poisoning them and they came running to you, ask for an effective remedy and where to buy it. In fact, if at least 3 apartments in a multi-storey building are infected, you should sound the alarm and call specialists. Independent efforts may not give the desired effect. If everything is fine with your neighbors, you can start fighting in your own living space.
Gels
If there is a small infestation, you can feed them with gel bait. The products are sold in tubes or special syringes. They are applied in dotted lines in those places where insects were noticed. On sale you can find Clean House, Raptor, Dohlox. There will be no immediate result, but infection will occur immediately. Within 2 days, mass death will begin. After 1 month, you can easily clean the room.
Dusts
The cheapest drugs. Using them is simple and does not cause difficulties. The powder is sprinkled along the paths along the baseboards, near the trash can, water pipes, sinks, and toilets. Boric acid is often used. A dust clean house has proven itself well. Small particles of powder stick to the body, paws, and whiskers. The insect will try to cleanse itself, and the poison will enter the esophagus. Over time it causes paralysis and death. In addition, a chain reaction may follow when insects independently infect each other. After 2–3 days, dead bodies of pests can be observed.
Aerosols
It’s very good if you manage to spray the insects themselves with the product, and not just the paths and places where they may be. The effect is instant. Death occurs within 2 hours. However, with a large degree of infection, the treatment will have to be repeated several times. It will not be possible to get the pest under the floor or in a deep crevice, and the residues of the substance on the surfaces are not enough to kill. In addition, after a few days, completely unharmed larvae may appear.
Solutions
Concentrated emulsions are used in case of a large number of cockroaches or when they multiply rapidly. The use of drugs requires compliance with safety measures, the presence of protective equipment and study of the instructions. Each drug is diluted in water at room temperature in a certain amount. Then the solution is placed in a spray bottle and can be used like a regular aerosol. The difference is that the concentration is much greater. The toxic substance will remain on the surface for 1 month. All pests of different ages will be gradually destroyed. And the female will not have time to reproduce new offspring.
Whatever the name of cockroaches, you need to remember that they are extremely undesirable in the house. In addition to irritating the nervous system, they can lead to intestinal disorders, dysentery and tuberculosis. There is no time to delay extermination. Each female can give birth to 60 individuals at once, and if there are 2 of them, in 3-4 months a crowd of parasites will be running around the apartment.
Original scientific names of cockroaches
No less interesting names for cockroaches are used in the scientific world:
- Dead Head. The name of this type of cockroach is simple to explain: on the wing covers of the insect there is a pattern that can be mistaken for the image of a head or skull.
- Banana. There is no external resemblance between these cockroaches and bananas. The factor in choosing the name was the specific habitat of insects: cockroaches prefer to be localized in bunches of bananas.
- Little car. This nickname is used among the people and the scientific world. They are usually called cockroaches, on the chest of which there are two large light spots that can be compared to headlights. The immediate function of these spots is to scare away enemies.
- Furniture. Unlike other subspecies, these parasites choose wooden structures made from natural materials for localization.
- Ashy. The term is used to identify parasites whose wings have the appropriate coloring.
- Rhinoceroses. Like the rhinoceros beetle, this cockroach has a growth on its cephalothorax.
So, even simple parasites familiar to everyone - domestic cockroaches - have a lot of amazing, funny nicknames. The origin story of most of them is easy to explain.
However, the origin of some is extremely difficult to identify, since there are many versions. However, the names used do not in any way affect the attitude of the majority of residents towards unpleasant parasites.
