|
|
 |
American Cockroaches
Color: Reddish brown, with a yellowish figure 8 pattern on the back of the head
Legs: 6
Shape: Oval
Size: 2"
Antennae: Yes
Flight: Yes
|
The American cockroach is the largest of the house-infesting cockroach.
Habits
American cockroaches are found in food processing areas and food storage areas, as well as other types of buildings. They are active when the temperature is 70 degrees or higher, but they can survive lower temperatures with the right conditions.
Habitat
American cockroaches are often found in sewers and basements, particularly around pipes and drains.
Threats
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies and may remain infective for several weeks longer than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents, rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Recent medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions in inner city children. They were even shown to cause asthma in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.
Prevention
Good sanitation and habitat reduction, along with vacuuming, surveillance, a baiting program, and some sealing of cracks can usually quickly reduce or eliminate a cockroach population.
|
 |
Brownbanded Cockroaches
Color: Brown, with pronounced banding across wings
Legs: 6
Shape: Oval
Size: 1/2"
Antennae: Yes
Flight: Yes
|
Brown banded cockroaches get their name from the two lighter bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. In addition to the distinctive banding, males have full wings, which reach beyond the tip of their rather pointed abdomens, but females have underdeveloped wings, much shorter than their broad, rounded abdomens. The lighter band markings are much more distinct in nymphs than in adults of either sex.
Habits
Male brownbanded cockroaches have been observed to fly indoors. Among cockroach species, brownbanded cockroaches have the most distinctions between sexes. Females have larger abdomen and shorter wings than males. Brownbanded cockroaches often hide their egg cases in or under furniture.
Habitat
Within a room, these roaches tend to prefer warmer, drier, and higher locations than do any of the other urban pest roaches. They are often found in upper cabinets or in other rooms than the kitchens (food preparation areas) or bathrooms.
Threats
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies and may remain infective for several weeks longer than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents, rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Recent medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions in inner city children. They were even shown to cause asthma in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.
Prevention
Good sanitation and habitat reduction, along with vacuuming, surveillance, a baiting program, and some sealing of cracks can usually quickly reduce or eliminate a cockroach population.
|
 |
Oriental Cockroaches
Color: Dark brown, almost black
Legs: 6
Shape: Oval
Size: 1"
Antennae: Yes
Flight: Yes
|
|
Oriental Cockroaches, Blatta orientalis
(L.), are large very dark (almost black, but sometimes
dark reddish-brown), shiny cockroaches which live
in sewers and similar wet, decaying organic matter.
They are sometimes called “water bugs†because
they come out of drains, and “black beetle cockroachesâ€
because of their smooth, dark bodies. Males are
about 1 inch long, with wings that cover only about
3/4 of their abdomen; females are about 1 1/4 inch
long, and have only short stubs of wing pads.
Habits
This species of cockroach often travels through
sewer pipes. It survives on filth and enjoys temperatures
from 68 to 84 degrees. This is a cooler temperature
than that preferred by other cockroach species.
Habitat
Oriental cockroaches are often found in sewers and
will enter structures through drains. They find
indoor harborage in basements and crawl spaces.
They can also be found in leaf piles and firewood
outdoors.
Threats
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least
33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms,
and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens.
They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs
and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter
or sewage and then carry these into food or onto
food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying
matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies
and may remain infective for several weeks longer
than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents,
rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Recent medical
studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause
lots of allergic reactions in inner city children.
They were even shown to cause asthma in children.
These allergens build up in deposits of droppings,
secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.
Prevention
Good sanitation and habitat reduction, along with
vacuuming, surveillance, a baiting program, and
some sealing of cracks can usually quickly reduce
or eliminate a cockroach population.
Thank you to the National Pest Management Association
for the pest identification information.
|
|
|