Pest Information | Ants | Bed Bugs | Earwigs | Bats | Spiders | Rodents | Crickets | Centipedes
Termites | Fleas | Scorpions | Pill Bugs | Roaches | Wasps | Pigeons

Cockroaches

Cockroaches date back almost 350 million years to the Carboniferous period. Cockroaches prefer to live in habitats consisting of a significant accumulation of decaying organic matter, clutter, and moisture. They are associated with numerous disease causing organisms. They readily transport disease causing organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, by walking and feeding on infected materials and then walking, feeding, and discharging body waste and fluids on uninfected materials.

Cockroaches contain and produce numerous proteins which cause allergic reactions. The most significant human health related finding about cockroaches is that they can cause an asthmatic episode. Asthmatic children have been shown to be sensitive to cockroach allergens.

There are many different types of cockroaches. Most share some common characteristics. Most species are nocturnal. When the lights are on they generally retreat to protected harborages such as cracks and crevices, in cabinets and under clutter. Cockroaches are not social insects like ants and bees; however, they are gregarious (like to live in groups). They prefer tight spaces with their bodies in contact with surfaces. Cockroaches prefer moist environments and will feed on virtually any type of decaying organic matter.

Cockroaches can be introduced into a structure in any number of ways. It is common for cockroaches to be brought in with groceries (bags). Being brought in with infested appliances such as TV’s, refrigerators, microwaves, and others is very possible. Often times they can be brought in from a work site. In apartments they can migrate through common walls, pipes, and electrical chases.

Effective cockroach control requires good sanitation to eliminate the food, water, and harborage they need to survive.

GERMAN COCKROACH

Adult German cockroaches are ½ to 5/8th inch long. They are brown to tan in color. German cockroaches are the most common household pest in the United States. They are nocturnal. They require a moist environment causing them to typically infest kitchens and bathrooms. German cockroaches live for approximately 200 days. Females produce, on average, 5 egg capsules in their lifetime. Each egg capsule (ootheca) contains about 30 roaches. It takes about 3 months for a German roach to mature and reproduce. This allows for 4 generations of roaches each year. A small problem can rapidly become a major infestation.

ORIENTAL COCKROACH

Oriental cockroaches are large 1 to 1 1/4 inch long. They are a dark red/brown to black in color. Oriental Cockroaches are common outside in damp areas such as sewers, storm drains, and other consistently moist areas. Oriental roaches enter a structure by crawling under doors, through exterior openings, and drains. They are nocturnal.

AMERICAN COCKROACH

American cockroaches are 1 3/8th to 2 1/8th inch long. They are reddish/brown in color. Their wings are fully developed and they are capable of downward flight. American cockroaches are mostly found outside in sewers, storm drains, and moist landscape areas. When they do infest structures they prefer warm, damp areas such as basements, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and other lower level areas.