COCKROACHES

Order: Blattodea

Appearance:

Cockroaches can measure over 50 mm (2 in) length, with tropical species tending to be larger than those found in other climates. Cockroaches have six legs, two antennae and some have wings. However, most winged cockroaches are not particularly adept at flying.

Common Types of Cockroach:

  • German cockroach
  • American cockroach
  • Brown Banded Cockroach

German Cockroach (Blatella germanica)

Apperance

  • Adult is 10 – 15 mm in length.
  • Pronotum (head shield) has 2 dark longitude stripes.
  • Male is light yellowish brown in colour with longer tongue shaped body.
  • Female is darker in colour with plump abdomen.

Habits

  • Major pest in restaurants, hotels and apartments.
  • Prefers dark and secluded areas to harbourage such as under the cupboard and behind a refrigerator.

Life cycle

  • Female produces 4 – 9 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 37 – 44 eggs.
  • Nymphs take 30 – 60 days to mature into adults.

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

Appearance

  • Adult is 35 – 40 mm in length, one of the largest pest cockroaches.
  • Shining red to chocolate brown in colour.
  • Life cycle and habits of the American Cockroach

Habits

  • Prefers warm and humid environment such as drains and sewers.

Life cycle

  • Female produces 10 – 90 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 14 – 28 eggs.
  • Nymphs take 150 days to develop into adults.

Brown Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

Appearance

  • Adult is 10–14 mm in length, one of the smallest pest cockroaches.
  • Yellow-brown stripes across the abdomen.

Habits

  • Prefers warm and humid environment such as drains and sewers.

Life cycle

  • Female produces up to 13 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 16 eggs.
  • Nymphs take 55 days to develop into adults.
  • In ideal temperature conditions (30°c), adult lives 90 – 115 days.

Signs of Cockroach Infestation

Cockroaches are most active during the night, preferring to stay hidden in cracks and crevices during the day. They are attracted to food available in your property and will feed on nearly anything from food crumbs to animal droppings / faeces.

If you suspect a cockroach infestation, it is essential to take immediate action to ensure a fast solution to the problem and to minimise health risks associated with this pest.

Here are some tell-tale signs that indicate cockroach presence in your premises.

  • Droppings – black grainy droppings can be found in the cabinets and along the walls or routes that they travelled on.
  • Smear marks – where water is abundant, brown and irregular shaped smear marks will appear on horizontal surfaces and wall floor junctions.
  • Moulted skin – evident of brownish skins can be found close to where they are breeding as immature cockroaches shed skins about 5-8 times when they mature to adult.
  • Egg cases – appear as small dark brown oval-shaped casings.
  • Damage – look for signs of damage on food packaging and organic goods including leather and books.
  • Unpleasant odour – a distinct musty smell when cockroaches present in large numbers.
  • Live cockroaches – usually found around bathrooms and kitchens.

How to Prevent Cockroaches

Your property could be an ideal breeding ground for certain species of cockroaches. It can enter your property through multiple entry points, such as cracks, crevices, vents, sewers and pipe drains.

The most effective way to keep cockroaches away is to deny them easy access to food, water and shelter, which are the main factors that attract them into your home or business.

Here are practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of an infestation.

  • Eliminate food sources – store dry foods in tightly sealed containers or in sealed plastic bags and do not leave food sitting out in open space.
  • Clear all waste food and spillage – clean up food debris from food preparation areas, under sinks and appliances. Empty the rubbish on a daily basis and keep all waste in covered bins.
  • De-clutter – remove old stacks of newspapers and magazines, unused cardboard boxes and all other forms of clutter from the floor or bottom of cupboards that may provide a hiding place for cockroaches.
  • Seal entry points – seal areas such as gaps around door, pipes and cracks to reduce cockroaches hiding place and access into your property.

How Do You Get Rid of Cockroaches?

If you are worried about cockroaches, Better Care can offer professional cockroach control to protect your home and business premises from this unwanted neighbor.

For a professional solution to your cockroach problem, call Better Care Pest Control today for your home or for your business premises.

Call (+95) 9677086877