Cockroaches

SMALL ROACHES

German Roaches

• The most troublesome domestic species.
• They can cause infection and disease.
• One female produces 35,000 offspring in one year.
• Found in moist areas.
• Up to 5/8″ long.

German cockroaches are one of the most common roaches found in apartment houses, restaurants, and hotels. German cockroaches (eggs included), are “brought in”, usually on man’s belongings, luggage, boxes or packages.

All it takes is bringing in one egg capsule, six months later you have an infestation.

LARGE ROACHES

American Roaches

• Includes largest of species; up to 1-1/2″ long.
• Also known as Palmetto or Flying Water Bug.
• Attracted to sweets, grains, hair, soap.
• Found in home foundations, under wood, and near pools.

American Cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana) are also known as a “water bug” or “palmetto bug.”

The American roach is reddish-brown, about 1.5 inches long or longer, winged, but seldom fly. The male wings are longer than the female wings. Young nymphs are gray-brown in color. As the American cockroaches mature, they become more reddish-brown in appearance. They have well developed wings, but don’t fly much unless temperatures are above 85 degrees, then they are known as “flying water bugs.”

Oriental Roaches

• Also referred to as the water bug.
• Up to 1.25 inches long.
• Oriental roaches feed on all kinds of filth.
• Generally found outdoors and migrate indoors during cold weather.

Oriental Roaches are commonly called water bugs or black beetles. This cockroach is shiny black and is about 1.25 inches long. They have wings, but the male or female roach cannot fly. The total length for the female is 1 ¼” and 1″ for the male. The females have small nonfunctional wings while the males have wings that cover about ¾ of the abdomen, nether the female or male can fly. Adults are very dark brown or black in color.

Smoky Brown Roaches

• Closely related to the American Roach
• Feeds on Plant Material
• Commonly found Living in wood, shingle roofs, and in gutters
• Feeds on decaying matter

The Smoky brown roach,(Periplaneta fuliginous), is slightly smaller than the American cockroach, and they have a uniform mahogany color. The American roach has a lighter color along the edges. Adults have well-developed wings that stretch to the tip of the abdomen. The young nymphs have long antennae, which are white at the tip.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

The Brown Banded Cockroach is often confused with the German Roach, but its habits are different.

• They are often brought in dwellings in furniture. Commonly found in the southern states, but may be found in warmer parts of buildings in the northern states.
• Found only indoors.
• They may be found throughout the building, especially in high areas such as picture frames and ceilings.

They are light brown, about 1/2 inch long. They have two light, irregular bands along their wings. The German Roach has two dark, distinctive bands behind their heads.