Description
German Cockroach
Description:
Adult German cockroaches are about 17mm
long and light brown except for the shield behind the head, which is
marked with two dark stripes, running lengthwise down the
body. The juveniles or nymphs are wingless and nearly black with a single
light stripe running down the middle of the back. Egg capsules
are light tan in colour.
Biology
The female carries egg cases until just
before hatching and each female may produce four to six cases
during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Eggs hatch
in 28 to 38 days, and nymphs develop in 40 to 125 days. Female
cockroaches live about 200 days (slightly longer than the
male). The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more
generations per year (three or four) than any other cockroach,
and only a few individuals are needed to develop into troublesome
infestations.
Oriental Cockroach
Description:
Usually dark reddish brown in colour, adult
Oriental cockroaches are about 25mm long. Nymphs resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Biology:
Unlike other pest cockroaches, the Oriental
cannot climb up smooth surfaces. Oriental cockroaches generally
live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they
have access to water. They tend to prefer cooler temperatures
and thus are common in basements, boiler houses and walkways
adjacent to buildings. The Oriental cockroach breeds well
in unventilated crawl spaces or basements where humidity is
high. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year, during which
females produce an average of 150 young. This cockroach prefers
to feed on starchy foods but will adapt to survive.
American Cockroach
Description:Adult American cockroaches are reddish-brown
to dark brown (except for a tan or light yellow band around
the shield behind the head); about 25-40mm long. They have
wings capable of flight.
Biology:
Often found in damp sewers and basements,
in heating ducts under hospitals, etc., American cockroaches
can be transported into homes in boxes from infested premises.
Egg capsules protrude from the body before being deposited
prior to hatching. One egg capsule is formed each week until
six to 14 have been produced.
Brown banded Cockroach
Description :
Usually dark reddish-brown in colour, adult
Oriental cockroaches are about 25mm long and immature cockroaches
(nymphs) resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Adult brown-banded cockroaches are about
15mm in length. The species is similar in appearance to the
German cockroach, but with two light, yellow-brown bands running
across the body. The bands are much easier to see on the nymphs
because they lack wings to obscure them.
Biology:
Brown-banded cockroaches are found in all
parts of the home, and seem to prefer hiding places off the
floor. The insects prefer a warmer environment than German
cockroaches and are therefore less common in the UK.
Control:
An integrated approach involving the use
of cockroach
traps to monitor and assess the extent of an infestation, and well targeted use of residual
insecticidal spray, insecticide powders or chemical-free desiccant powder where more appropriate, as well as Insecticidal
lacquer as a long-lasting barrier against ingress. Please note that
cockroach infestations tend to be concentrated in food preparation areas, and
care should therefore be taken in selection of food-safe or even organic chemicals, such
as those included in our Super-Safe
Cockroach Kit. For American and Brown-banded species, the use of do
it yourself fumigation may considerably enhance the programme.
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