Extermination & Control of Cockroaches
Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners due to their creepy appearance. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons, because cockroaches are known to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. They also spread nearly 33 kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. Visit one of our pest guides below to see various types of cockroaches, as well as find information on cockroach prevention and extermination.
What is An American Cockroach?
Periplaneta americana (L.)
The American cockroach is the largest of the house-infesting roaches and a major pest in the United States. It’s also commonly known as the water bug, the Bombay canary or the palmetto bug. Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America and some evidence suggested that American cockroaches were introduced via ships from Africa in the early 1600s.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Supella longipalpa
Brown-banded cockroaches are a small species of invasive cockroaches. These pests get their name from the two light brown bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. These bands can be seen across the wings of the adult but are even more prominent across the body of the nymph. This cockroach species entered the United States in 1903, traveling from Cuba into Florida, and are now commonly seen throughout the US.
Brown-banded cockroaches can take shelter throughout households and are often found lurking in kitchen cabinets and bathrooms, and even behind picture frames. This species lives for 206 days on average and can reproduce at alarming rates. Females will lay about 14 egg capsules during their life span, each capsule containing 10-18 eggs, allowing this species to populate quickly. The brown-banded cockroach is primarily nocturnal but can be found on the move during daytime. However, due to their nocturnal nature and small stature, the brown-banded cockroach can easily go undetected.
Oriental Cockroaches
Blatta orientalis
Believed to be of African origin despite its name, the oriental cockroach is one of the larger species of cockroach. These cockroaches are sometimes referred to as “waterbugs” because they hang out in damp areas, as well as “black beetle cockroaches” because of their smooth, dark bodies. Oriental cockroaches gain entry into households by going under doors and through gaps beneath siding, as well as following pipes, sewers and drains into a structure.
German Cockroaches
Blattella germanica (Linnaeus)
The German cockroach is the most common cockroach species found worldwide. While German cockroach infestations occur in a variety of human occupied spaces, they are most often associated with restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, nursing homes and other institutional facilities. Keep reading to learn more facts and to get information on German cockroach control.