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Insect InfoRoachesGERMAN COCKROACH The German cockroach is the most economically important urban pest in the United States and throughout the World.. It is the most common cockroach species in houses, apartments, restaurants, hotels and other institutions. In some southern areas, larger cockroach species such as the smoky-brown cockroach can be more of a problem. The oriental cockroach or some other species may also be more common in certain situations, especially infesting around or under the premises and frequently moving indoors. However, the German cockroach is by far the most common and important species infesting our homes and institutions. In some areas it may still be referred to as the "croton bug." Adults are pale to medium brown and about 1/2-to 5/8-inch long. German cockroaches can be distinguished from other roaches by the two dark stripes on the back of their head. German cockroach nymphs resemble the adults except that they are smaller, wingless, and darker in color, often being nearly black. A single light stripe running down the middle of the back is the most prominent marking on the young cockroach. The female carries her egg capsule protruding from the rear of her abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. Females which are carrying egg capsules are called "gravid". The egg capsule is slender, about 1/3-inch long and tan in color. The nymphs may break open the capsule while it is still attached to the female, or she may deposit the capsule in some protected place where the young will be able to find food and harborage when they emerge. The German cockroach is the only common house infesting species which carries the egg capsule for such an extended period. Capsules removed from the female more than a couple of days before the normal hatching time are unlikely to hatch unless they remain under conditions of very high humidity. This is also true for gravid females which may be killed by an insecticide within several hours, to one day or more, from the time the egg capsule would normally have hatched. The embryos in the egg capsule require a reasonably steady flow of water, usually from the adult female, to prevent death from desiccation or drying out. Again, if the humidity is very high, desiccation may not occur, and the egg capsule can survive for a few hours or longer after premature dropping, or death of the female. Adult females will usually produce from 4-8 egg capsules in their lifetime. Each capsule contains 30 to 50 eggs. It usually takes 28 days from the time of initial formation of the egg capsule until it hatches. Formation of the next egg capsule usually begins within a couple of weeks. There are 6 or 7 nymphal stages, called instars, before they molt into the adult stage. The number of nymphal instars may increase under certain environmental conditions, or if appendages such as legs or antennae are lost during the earlier nymphal instars. In the latter case, extra instars will occur to allow regeneration of these missing body parts. Completion of the nymphal stage under room conditions requires 40-125 days, depending on environmental conditions and other factors such as favorable diet. Adult German cockroaches can live up to one year, but most will die from various causes long before that time. Some of these uncommon patterns of infestation are more understandable in the light of recent research on the normal movement patterns of German cockroaches within and between urban apartments. Detailed field research has shown that they can be quite mobile within structures. Up to 10% (or more) of the adult German cockroaches in a moderately to heavily infested apartment can move into or out of the kitchen area within a week's time. Similar rates of movement have also been measured between adjacent apartments. This latter movement usually does not occur unless the two adjacent apartments share common plumbing. Thus, exclusion of German cockroach movement into the wall voids which house plumbing connections, or careful treatment of those areas with insecticides, will greatly aid in maintaining adequate control in multi-family dwellings and other large, complex structures such as hospitals and motels. The German cockroach is a relatively active species, moving around readily within structures. They travel from one location to another and can pass through very small openings. They are also regularly carried from place to place in such things as bagged potatoes and onions, beverage cartons, grocery bags, food cans, other food packages, handbags, and the folds of clothing. The pest management professional must look very closely to find all the places in which cockroaches may be living, and try to determine how cockroaches might be transported into the premises. It may not be possible to eliminate all the German cockroaches in a structure at any one time if a steady flow of cockroaches is carried into the premises via people, food shipments or other routes. Further, the use of insecticides may scatter cockroaches widely throughout a building. If all of the scattered or "satellite" populations are not found and treated, reinfestation of treated areas will occur. Nymphs have habits similar to those of adults. They are active mostly at night, and hide in dark crevices during the day. If German cockroaches are seen during the day, the population is probably so large that the available harborage is already full, or food and moisture are in such short supply that daytime foraging is necessary. Such behavior indicates that the population is under considerable stress. This species usually hides in areas close to moisture and food, which means they are generally found in kitchens and other food areas. They prefer to rest on wood rather than on metal or other smooth surfaces. Large infestations do occur on metal surfaces when there are few other surfaces available. Examples would be on ships, or in large modern food processing plants and kitchens with stainless steel equipment and wall panels. The German cockroach is a general feeder, but is particularly attracted to fermented foods and beverage residues (e.g., beer spills). If water is present, adults can live about a month without food, but young nymphs will die of starvation within 10 days. Without food or water, the adults die in less than two weeks. Most stages become very stressed if deprived of food or water for more than a couple of days. Stressed cockroaches tend to wander or forage for resources aggressively, even during abnormal periods such as the daytime.
GERMAN COCKROACH MANAGEMENTMuch of the discussion on where cockroaches will harbor was written particularly with the German cockroach in mind. This species is most commonly found near sources of food, water, and warmth. This is particularly true of the small nymphs. The larger nymphs and adult males are known to range more widely inside infested buildings. Adult females forage for food and water in a manner similar to the males, except during the few days before the egg capsule hatches. During this time they will forage very little. When inspecting for German cockroaches, thoroughness is the golden rule. Check places such as cracks and crevices, under tops of tables, behind and under sinks, in cabinets, the motor compartments of refrigerators and soft drink dispensing machines, underneath the bases of kitchen equipment or pallets which are set on the floor, in switchboxes and fuse boxes, underneath cafeteria counters and soda fountains, in food carts, in cash registers and telephones, in vegetable bins, around meat counters and check-out stands, under meat cutting blocks, and almost anywhere else conditions are favorable. It is impossible to list all the places where German cockroaches may live and hide, so you must inspect thoroughly and use judgment and roach "thinking" to find all of the harborages. AMERICAN COCKROACH
The female drops her egg capsule within a day after it is formed. Sometimes it is dropped in a suitable location, such as near a food source, or in a protected area. In the South, this may be outdoors in moist and decaying wood. At other times it may be glued to some surface with secretions from the female's mouth. Egg capsules are formed at the rate of about one per week until from 15 to 90 capsules have been produced. Each capsule contains 14-16 eggs. At room temperature, nymphs will hatch out in 50-55 days. In the process of hatching, nymphs will molt and leave their first cast skins in the egg case. Young nymphs are grayish-brown and each will molt 9-13 times before reaching maturity. After the first few molts, nymphs become more reddish brown in color. The time required to complete the nymphal stage varies from 160-971 days. Under ideal conditions, an adult female can live up to 14-15 months; males for a somewhat shorter period. However, in natural populations many factors reduce their life span. When indoors, the nymphs and adults are usually found in dark, moist areas of basements and crawl spaces as well as in and around bathtubs, clothes hampers, floor drains, pipe chases and sewers. In basements they are usually found in corner areas high on the walls. In the North, this roach is commonly associated with steam heat tunnels. In northern areas where steam heat tunnels are not found, the American cockroach will be restricted primarily to large institutional buildings. The American cockroach is also common around the manholes of sewers, and on the underside of metal covers of large sump pumps in boiler rooms. American cockroaches have also been observed migrating from one building to another during warm months in the North. In the South, this roach is abundant in alleyways, yards, hollow trees and palm trees. Recent studies in Florida have shown that American cockroaches and other outdoor roaches are generally associated with trees and woodpiles in landscapes. They especially prefer moist, shady areas. Sometimes they are found under roof shingles or flashing, or even in the attic. Similar studies in Texas have shown that American and smoky-brown cockroaches often prefer moist, shady areas of ground cover, which are often found around foundations and near swimming pools. The presence of automatic sprinkler systems for irrigating these areas of turf and ground cover will provide particularly attractive and favorable living conditions for cockroach populations. When conditions are unfavorable, American cockroaches and other outdoor species may move indoors. American cockroaches feed on a variety of foods, but decaying organic matter seems to be preferred. They also feed upon book bindings, manuscripts, clothing and glossy paper with starch sizing. Syrup and other sweets are also attractive. The adults can survive two or three months without food, but only about a month without water. The adults have well-developed wings, but seldom fly. They are capable of gliding long distances and will cover considerable distances if they take off from a tree or roof top. In the South, and as far north as Kentucky, American cockroaches have been reported to fly short distances. AMERICAN COCKROACH MANAGEMENTIn larger urban buildings American cockroaches are found in dark, damp and warm places. They frequently congregate in groups in more or less open spaces, rather than in cracks and crevices. They are often found near steam pipes, in sewers, grease traps, floor drains, pipe chases, damp basements and similar places. They are also common in the sanitary and storm sewers of most cities. As with German cockroach management, it is important to do a thorough inspection. A trap survey may be necessary in difficult or special situations before any management procedures are attempted. This includes infestations which are originating in the landscape outdoors. In the South, American cockroaches are commonly found in the landscape along with other larger species, and can readily move inside during nighttime foraging. Movement indoors often increases during periods of cold, extreme hot and dry weather, or excessive rainfall. In these cases, it is important to treat all outdoor areas where the cockroach populations are focused. Perimeter or "barrier" treatments using residual insecticide formulations to prevent cockroach entry into buildings are helpful. Identify where the cockroaches are harboring and moving around in the landscape, and focus insecticide applications in those areas. One important note: do not treat firewood piles with residual sprays. Instead, use baits in these areas or have the customer remove the wood. Exclusion techniques such as caulking or sealing various cockroach entry points are effective at reducing the problem indoors. To prevent cockroaches from entering through weep holes in exterior brick facade, insert small squares of window screening into the holes using a putty knife. This prevents insect entry, yet still allows for air exchange for which the weep holes are intended. Excessive and widespread insecticide applications in the landscape are not usually necessary. American cockroaches can be controlled by the use of sprays, dusts or baits. Residual insecticide sprays applied into infested areas will control American roaches slowly, but effectively. Indoor surfaces are most effectively treated with wettable powder or flowable microencapsulated formulations. Phantom insecticide is a good choice for indoor cockroach control because of its non-repellent properties and long lived residual. This is especially true for basement and other utility areas, where bare concrete or other porous surfaces are present. Be sure to treat around floor drains where American cockroaches are harboring, and try to use window screening or some other method to physically prevent them from entering the building from these sources. Insecticidal dusts are also very effective. Dust applications should be made to voids and other harborage areas which will remain dry. Do not apply dusts to wet or damp areas. In some situations, American cockroaches can be killed by the use of non-residual, quick-knockdown insecticides. Non-residuals are usually applied either with aerosols, ULV sprayers, or foggers. American cockroaches will also feed upon baits such as Maxforce and Avert. It is important to remember that sufficient numbers of bait locations should be used. When insecticide applications to plants such as trees, ground covers or grassy areas are necessary outdoors, only use formulations which are safe for use on plants. In these situations, either wettable powders, microencapsulated or emulsifiable concentrate sprays of the residual materials listed above are generally appropriate. For applications to the sides of houses, door and window jams, and other exterior surfaces, microencapsulated formations or wettable powders are preferred. PALMETTO BUGS
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Infestations are sometimes found in areas not generally suspected of German cockroaches; for example, dresser drawers in bedrooms. When German cockroaches are found scattered through non-food areas of a home or building, it is usually caused by a very heavy infestation or by the repellent effects of insecticide applications. Cockroaches in these areas will find food scarce, but can feed on scattered crumbs, soiled clothing, the glue on dresser drawers or on some cosmetic products. German cockroaches can also be found outdoors during warm months, often associated with garbage receptacles. This, too, is usually due to a heavy infestation indoors.
(Periplaneta americana)
The American cockroach is also known as the water bug, flying water bug and, in some areas of the South, the palmetto bug. It is the largest of the common species, growing to 1.5 inches or more in length. It is reddish-brown, with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both the male and female are fully winged. The wings of the male extend slightly beyond the tip of the abdomen, while those of the female are about the same length as the abdomen.
The oriental cockroach is also referred to as the waterbug, black beetle or shad roach. It is found in all parts of the United States. Total length of this cockroach is about 1.25inches for the female and 1 inch for the male. The female has small, functionless rudimentary wings called wing pads. The male's wings cover about 3/4 of the abdomen. Neither the male nor the female can fly. Adults are very dark brown or nearly black, and usually have a somewhat greasy sheen to their body. Females are broader and heavier looking than males.
This is one of the smaller cockroaches, rarely being more than 1/2 inch long. It is light brown and can be readily distinguished from the German cockroach by the presence of two lighter, transverse bands running from one side to the other across the base of the wings and abdomen in adults, and in the same position on the nymphs. These bands may be somewhat irregular or broken and are more apparent on the young and the females than on the males. The female has a broader body than the male. Both male and female are quite active and the adult males fly readily when disturbed. Both adults and nymphs may jump when attempting to escape. They frequently occur in the same buildings as the German cockroach. One must be very careful to identify this species correctly, as control techniques are different for the two species because of their different behaviors.
Smoky-brown cockroaches are closely related to the American cockroach but are distinguished by their smaller size, being slightly more than 1 inch long, and uniform mahogany brown color. They do not have any lighter coloration around the edge of their pronotum, as does the adult American cockroach. Both males and females have wings longer than their bodies. Young nymphs have long antennae which are white at the tip. Females lay a dark-brown to black egg capsule which contains 24 eggs. The capsules are firmly attached to some object, although occasionally they may be found lying loosely on the ground or floor. Each female produces about 17 capsules. Their life cycle is similar to other Periplaneta species, except that the average adult life span is less than the American cockroach. In a protected area, the smoky-brown cockroach will live for about 200 days at room temperature.
These cockroaches often become a problem when infested firewood is brought indoors. They will wander about the house without congregating in any particular room. They can be especially troublesome during the mating season, which is often May and June. Male woods cockroaches are strong fliers and will come from considerable distances, often in large numbers. They are readily attracted to lights at night, and accidentally gain entry indoors. Large numbers may also be found in the rain gutters of homes. Woods cockroaches feed primarily on decaying organic matter.
The Australian cockroach is similar in appearance to the American cockroach but is rarely more than 1.25 inches long. It is reddish-brown and can be distinguished by prominent yellow stripes along the outer front edge of either wing, and by a prominent dark spot in the center of the head.
Brown cockroaches are generally distributed in the southern states, from Florida to Texas. They have been found as far north as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio.
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