Cockroaches
American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Description: Reddish brown 1 1/2" or longer, winged but seldom fly.
Habitat: Prefer dark moist area such as basements.
Food: Prefer decaying organic matter but will eat almost anything.
Damage/Signs of Presence: Spread disease
Life Cycle: Gradual Metamorphosis Egg, Nymph & Adult Egg to adult takes about 50 to 55 days.
Management: Sanitation and reducing harborage sites will help. Chemical treatment or baits.
German Cockroach (Blatella germanica)
Description: About 1/2 inch in length with dark strips on a shield behind their head. Females may be seen carring an egg capsul behind them, which contain 24 to 48 eggs.
Habitat: German Roaches like tight confines area they like to have pressure on three sides of their body. Warm and moist conditions are ideal for german roaches. They also stay hidden when their not feeding. Most active at night.
Damage/Signs of Presence: Transmission of disease and contamination of food is a real problem with german roaches. German Roaches leave deposits behind like a fly speck.
Life Cycle: Gradual Metamorphosis- Egg, Nymph & Adult The nymphs look like the adult only without wings.
Management: Various methods are used depending on the size and location of the population. Baits have become very effective.
Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
Description: Shinny black, Females 1 1/2" long Males 1" long. Have wings but cannot fly.
Habitat: Perfer dark moist areas. Basements, crawl spaces usually below groud level. Perfers the outdoors but will be found inside during drought or cold weather.
Food: Organic matter.
Damage/Signs of Presence: Spread disease
Life Cycle: 8 egg capsules with 16 eggs in each capsule. Populations peek in mid Summer.
Management: Keep leaves raked and reduces decaying organic matter. Residual sprays and baits.
Wood Roach
Description: Simular to the American Roach Chestnut in color 3/4" to 1" in length. Males may appear tan in color because of their wings. They have pale edges in the first 1/3rd of their wings
Habitat: Outdoors
Food: Decaying organic matter
Life Cycle: Gradual Metamorphosis Egg, Nymph & Adult. Females lay 30 capsules containing 32 eggs. Life cycle can take up to 2 years.
Management: Do not survive indoors. Perimeter treatments around your home.
