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Roaches |
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Roach Biology |
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German Cockroach |
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American Cockroach |
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Brown-banded Cockroach |
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Field Cockroach |
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Oriental Cockroach |
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Smoky Brown Cockroach |
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Preventive
Measures |
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Treatment |
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Roach Biology |
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German
Cockroach |
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Adults 3/4" long, tan with 2 black,
longitudinal marks on pronotum (shield-like plate on top of
head). Average 30 eggs per capsule which is carried by
female until ready to hatch. Only 3 months to the mature
adult. Most common structural cockroach, a non-flyer
carried into structures by man.
German cockroaches are most commonly found in homes and
commercial establishments. They are usually detected in
kitchens, bathrooms or areas with daily access to water.
They do not migrate into buildings from the outside, but are
usually brought in with packages, groceries, etc. |
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American
Cockroach |
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Largest urban pest cockroach - up
to 2" long. Adults reddish brown with yellow margined
pronotum. Average 15 eggs per capsule, over 1 year to the
mature adult. Prefer warm, damp areas - sewers, basements
- common outdoors.
Tend to move into the home when the conditions outside become
unfavorable (extreme temperatures, excessive rain, drought,
etc.) |
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Smoky
Brown Cockroach |
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The adult is slightly more than 1
inch long and is a uniform, very dark brown to black. The head
shield is a solid dark color. Both males and females have wings
longer than their bodies and are capable of flying or gliding.
They live primarily outdoors and prefer woods, leaf litter,
trash piles and other humid sites with abundant organic matter.
They also hide under rocks, ground cover and building materials.
They may enter homes with infested firewood during seasonal
migrations. These species are most commonly found in South
Texas. |
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Brownbanded Cockroach |
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Adults about 3/4" long, males much
slimmer than females. Identified by 2 broad brown bands
crossing the thorax. Egg capsule small, average 15 eggs,
glued to hidden surfaces by female. Egg to mature adult in
about 6 months. Individuals may be found throughout
structure, and not as dependent on moisture as other species.
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Field Cockroach |
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Adults about 3/8-1/2" long.
Color light brown to tan with olive green hue/tint, head with
dark brown to blackish broad band on face between eyes, and
pronotum with 2 dark longitudinal strips/bars/streaks whose ends
curve slightly towards middle. Female darker than male,
her abdomen broader. Nymphal early instars yellowish cream
overall except for dark cerci. Later instars with
additional dark pigmentation, but more yellowish orange
coloration than German cockroach nymphs.
Developmental time (egg to adult) requires a minimum of 70
days. Approximately 20 days are required between
fertilization and egg hatch. Nymphs go through 5-7 molts
in 45-56 days at 86-97 Deg. F. (30-36 Deg. C). Females
apparently mature first which is unusual. Small nymphs
crawl on the female for some time. Adults live about
100-150 days.
The field cockroach normally lives outdoors where it feeds on
decaying vegetation. It is often found under stones and
other objects. Around s5ructures it commonly occurs in the
mulch of plant beds, accumulations of leaves and other organic
debris, flower boxes, and similar areas where moisture is
retained. They are attracted to lights at night and can be
found around street lights, security lights, and windows.
They do not avoid light and can often be seen during the
daytime. Although native to semiarid areas, when condition
s are drier than normal outdoors the field cockroaches often
invade structures in large numbers seeking moisture.
Indoors its feeding habits are similar to those of the German
cockroach. |
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Oriental
Cockroach |
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Adults black and over 1" long.
Non-flyers, as males have shortened wings, females only with
wing pads. Average 15 eggs per capsule, 1 year to the
mature adult. Common outdoors and in damp areas such as
basements, other underground habitats. |
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Preventive
Measures |
There are certain steps which property owners can take to
minimize the opportunities for roaches to enter and live in homes or buildings. Some of these are:
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| Sanitation |
Proper sanitation, both indoors
and outdoors, effectively limits cockroach populations. Do
not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils and uncovered
food out overnight . Clean up all spilled liquids. Areas
beneath and behind cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and
refrigerators should be cleaned often, as should cupboards,
pantry shelves and storage bins where particles of food
frequently accumulate. Kitchen waste and excess refuse
should be kept in cockroach proof containers and disposed of
as frequently as possible. Dry pet food should be stored in
tight containers away from the kitchen and other foods. If
pets are fed indoors, left-over foods should not be allowed
to remain in the feeding dish overnight . Outdoors, garbage
cans, racks, platforms or slabs should be cleaned regularly.
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| Exclusion |
Discourage cockroaches from
entering the home by sealing any cracks of 1/8 inch or more
in the foundation and exterior walls. Check the seal or
caulking around air conditioning units, windows, doors,
pipes or other openings into the home. Inside the home,
eliminate all possible hiding areas and food sources. Repair
cracks and holes in floors, walls and ceilings. Seal
openings around plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical
outlets, window sills and walls, and along baseboards and
ceiling moldings. Leaky water faucets and pipes should be
repaired. Thresholds on doors should be as tight as possible
and cracks in porches and stoops should be sealed.
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| Eliminate hiding places |
Paper, cardboard, lumber,
firewood and other debris next to the home provide excellent
refuge for several cockroach species. Keep yard trash and
stacks of firewood away from the home or garage to minimize
the chance of cockroach invasion.
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Treatment |
| With today's technology
there are many tools to use in the control of roaches.
Wettable powders, dusts, glue boards, microencapsulated
chemicals, emulsifiable concentrates, and baits (both gels and
granules). Our highly trained and educated pest control operators can evaluate
the situation to determine which tool will be the most effective
under the circumstances. |
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