COCKROACHES
What are Cockroaches?
German Cockroaches are a small tan to almost black species of cockroach that has two dark, roughly parallel streaks on its back from behind the head to the base of the wings. They are about 0.43 to 0.63 inches long and are primarily nocturnal but will occasionally appear during the day. Although the German Cockroach has wings it can not fly very well, they mainly use them for gliding when disturbed.
Where do they come from?
German cockroaches can enter your home or business in boxes, bags and products that are already infested. They can come from the grocery store, suppliers or even your friends and neighbors. When you buy groceries, they can catch a ride in one of the bags and can be inadvertently introduced into your pantry or your kitchen cabinets.
What effect can Cockroaches have on your health?
Roaches are instinctively drawn to human food and waste, they also regurgitate and defecate on food that they are eating. Bacteria can be transmitted by roaches, and they can be carrying parasites inside themselves as well.
Salmonella, E. coli. and Gastroenteritis are commonly spread by roaches, causing disease like food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea and other illnesses. Another risk of cockroaches is allergies from an infestation, that cause redness, itching, and asthma attacks.
What are signs you have Cockroaches?
Excrement: You will usually find coffee ground/black pepper textured droppings around the corners of rooms, baseboards, inside drawers, closets, on top of shelves, cabinets, pantries, refrigerators and other areas that food is stored around the home. Areas where children play like playpens and toyboxes. Behind and underneath stoves, freezers, refrigerators, sinks and even washers and dryers. Inside of tight cracks or openings in walls, floors or the ceiling and inside storage areas that have cardboard or paper.
Insect Skins/Dead Cockroaches: Cockroach exoskeletons and dead cockroaches will usually be found in dark areas, like under cabinets, cupboards or appliances.
Unpleasant Odors: Cockroach infestations will have a strong musty odor that will intensify as the infestation grows. This odor will arise from dead cockroaches as well as the living ones.
Cockroach Eggs: Small (10mm) oval-shaped tan to dark brown egg cases are sometimes visible behind furniture and in other more hidden locations.
Where do Cockroaches hide?
German Cockroaches excel at hiding, like most other species of Roaches they prefer warm, dark, moist areas to hide and breed. Typically, kitchens and bathrooms are the first rooms to be infested, but they can be found throughout the home.
Behind or under appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, freezers, washers and dryers
Behind or under sinks, cabinets, shelving and vanities
Behind pictures and in/around frames (and mirrors)
Drawer joints
Door and window moldings
Door hinges
Inside cupboards, pantries, drawers
Wallpaper seams
Electrical receptacles and appliances
Electronic devices (Cellphones, computers, TVs, Stereos, etc.)
Books and book cases
Pet beds and cages
Near the piping in the home
In or around floor drains
Under floor mats
Under bathroom tiles and other flooring that has cracks or crevice’s in them
Any holes in walls or drywall
What is the Life Cycle of a Cockroach?
Adult females can produce from four to eight egg capsules in their lifetime. Each capsule contains 30-48 eggs. The eggs usually take only 20-30 days to hatch (shorter at warmer temperatures like inside a home under a refrigerator–above 25°C).
Formation of the next egg capsule usually begins within a couple weeks. This means German cockroach reproduction occurs faster than mice!
Nymphs (babies) reach adulthood in 40-125 days depending on diet quality, crowding, temperatures, etc. and adults can live up to a year.
