Cockroaches
INTRODUCTION: The German cockroach is the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illness, the transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms and allergic reactions in many people. This species has worldwide distribution.
RECOGNITION: Adults about 1/2" to 5/8" long, color light brown to tan. Female darker than male, abdomen broader. Rarely glide or "fly."
SIMILAR GROUPS: (Adults only).
(1) Asian cockroach with almost identical color pattern, attracted to lights, flies readily, breeds outdoors in leaf litter, presently known only from Florida, identification should be confirmed by an expert.
(2) Brownbanded cockroach and Pennsylvania wood cockroach lack two dark longitudinal stripes on pronotal shield.
(3) Field cockroach with a median dark line between eyes on front of head.
(4) Other cockroaches are either smaller or larger, lack characteristic pronotal stripes and/or are not associated with structures.
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BIOLOGY: Adults live about 100 to 200 days. Established/mature German cockroach populations typically composed of at least 75 percent nymphs.
HABITS: German cockroaches are found throughout structures but show a preference for warm and humid places. They are usually found in kitchens and secondarily in bathrooms, but infestations often occur in rooms where people eat and drink while watching television such as the den, bedroom, etc. Any crack or crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime harborage, and they spend about 75 percent of their time in such harborages.
These cockroaches are most commonly introduced into buildings via paper products or paper packaging such as grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons and second-hand appliances. They have been observed to migrate from building to building on warm evenings, but this rarely occurs. Although uncommon, they can survive outdoors during warm months.
They feed on almost anything with nutritive value including all kinds of food, and such things as soap, glue and toothpaste.
CONTROL: Follow the standard control procedures, but more frequent service many be required because of their rapid reproductive rate. At least 95 percent of the populations must be eliminated on the initial or clean-out service, or the typical maintenance program usually fails. Baits are particularly effective but correct placement along junctions and/or in cracks and crevices in or near harborages is essential. Incorporating insect growth regulators (IGRs) into the service helps with long-term control. Be sure to follow label directions.
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Or Call Toll-Free: 1-800-PEST-CONTROL (1-800-737-8266)
