Cockroaches are medium-sized to large insects in the order Dictyoptera
They are broad, flattened insects with long antennae and a prominent, shield-shaped section behind the head
called a pronotum
A cockroach has three stages during its life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult
Cockroaches are nocturnal, hiding during the day and becoming active at night
All cockroaches are scavengers and will survive on almost any food as well as backing glue, leather, bookbindings,
bar soap
Cockroaches are known to carry human pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can result in human
diseases, such as food poisoning or diarrhea
American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Largest cockroach species to infest buildings
Both the adult male and female is about 1-1/2 to 2 inches long, reddish brown and possesses long wings that cover
its abdomen
A female typically produces 9 to 10 egg cases which are deposited carefully in a crack or crevice
Each egg capsule contains about 12 young; a female and her offspring can produce over 800 cockroaches in
one year.
An American cockroach has a fondness for fermenting foods, e.g. bread soaked with beer
Their foraging is confined mostly to the basement and ground floor of a building unless suitable conditions
exist in higher locations
German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
The adult is about ½ inch long, light brown or tan, and has two dark longitudinal bands or streaks on
the prothorax behind the head
Females produce about 30 to 50 eggs at a time
Each egg case contains about 30 young, and a female may produce a new egg case every few weeks
The female carries the egg case until the eggs are ready to hatch
It generally inhabits kitchens and bathrooms where they are found near plumbing fixtures, in cracks or
crevices in cupboards, under drawers and kitchen sinks, and similar locations
Brown banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
The brownbanded cockroach is similar in size and color to the German cockroach
It can be distinguished by the lack of brown bars on the shield in front of the wings and by the presence of
two light bands across the wings and abdomen
The adult brown banded cockroach is about ½ inch long
An adult male is golden brown and has a narrow body with its wings extending beyond the tip of its abdomen
A female adult is dark chestnut brown, has a teardrop-shaped body, and its wings do not
completely cover the abdomen
Both sexes have distinctive horizontal yellow bands
Brownbanded cockroaches prefer starchy food (e.g., glue on stamps and envelopes), are often found in offices
and other places where paper is stored, and are more common in apartments or homes that are not
air conditioned
Females glue light brown egg cases, which are about 1/4 inch long, to ceilings, beneath furniture, or in closets or
other dark places where eggs incubate for several weeks before hatching
Each female and her offspring are capable of producing over 600 cockroaches in one year
Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
An adult Oriental cockroach is about 1 to 1-1/4 inches long and dark brown, almost black
A male has fully developed wings which are shorter than the body
A female has very short, rudimentary wings
A female deposits an average of eight egg cases during its lifetime; each capsule produces about 16 young
An Oriental cockroach produces a strong smell and is considered one of the dirtiest of all the cockroaches
Commonly found in damp basements, cellars, crawl spaces, and sewers, near drains,
leaky water pipes and under refrigerators, sinks, washing machines, and floors
It feeds on all types of garbage and other organic material
Cockroaches can run up to three miles in an hour, which means they can spread germs and bacteria throughout a home very quickly.
While cockroaches are one of the most common pest problems, they are also one of the most stubborn. Infestations are hard to get rid of because the insects hide in a host of areas, breed quickly, have a very high reproductive potential and may develop resistance to pesticides.
Cockroaches often taint food with E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, so it’s not safe to ignore these pests. Exposure to cockroach feces and the body parts of dead roaches over time can even trigger allergies and asthma. The debris created by cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies and droppings can aggravate allergies, especially in children and sensitive individuals.
1. Salmonellosis
2. Typhoid Fever
3. Cholera
4. Gastroenteritis
5. Dysentery
6. Leprosy
7. Plague
8. Campylobacteriosis
9. Listeriosis
10. Giardia
Cockroach control and management are important for health and safety reasons. If you suspect a cockroach infestation call us immedeatly for the appointment .Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally protected from many over-the-counter insecticides. Without special equipment, materials and know-how, cockroach control can be a losing battle
Verminex® PEST CONTROL HAS BEEN PROVIDING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR GETTING RID OF COCKROCHES. CONTACT US FOR ESTIMATE FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.