Cockroaches may become pests in homes, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, offices, and virtually any structure that has food preparation or storage areas. These pests are common even in the cleanest of crowded urban areas and older dwellings. They are found in all types of neighborhoods. The proteins found in cockroach saliva are particularly allergenic but the body and droppings of cockroaches also contain allergenic proteins.

Cockroaches are one of the most common and allergenic of indoor pests. Recent studies have found a strong association between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to cockroach allergens.

Foraging or feeding cockroaches also spread human disease by depositing disease organisms on food, dishes, or other items. They contaminate food and eating utensils, destroy fabric and paper products, and impart stains and unpleasant odors to surfaces they contact. Cockroaches (especially the American cockroach, which comes into contact with human excrement in sewers or with pet droppings) may transmit bacteria that cause food poisoning (Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp.). German cockroaches are believed to be capable of transmitting disease-causing organisms such as Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., hepatitis virus, and coliform bacteria. They also have been implicated in the spread of typhoid and dysentery.

Life Cycle

Cockroaches grow and mature by gradual metamorphosis. There are three stages in the life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult. Generations overlap, so all stages may be found at any time of year. Females deposit eggs in bean-shaped or purse-like leathery egg cases called oothecae. These are dropped or attached to out-of-the-way places by the females shortly after their formation. Egg cases of the various species are quite distinctive and may be used as an aid in determining what species are involved in an infestation.

The nymphs which hatch from the eggs resemble the adults, except that they are smaller, have undeveloped wings, and frequently are a somewhat different color. Nymphs develop rather slowly, growing by progressive stages, each stage terminated by molting of the skin which permits the insect to increase in size. Nymphs may molt 5-13 times before transforming into adults, the number depends upon the species and local conditions.

Prevention

Prevention is the key to successful cockroach control Preventive measures will minimize cockroach invasion of buildings and eliminate or greatly reduce availability of food, water, and shelter. It is much easier and usually less costly to keep cockroaches on the outside than it is to get rid of them once inside.

These insects can be discouraged from entering buildings by sealing any cracks of 1/8 inch or more in foundations and exterior walls. The seal around air conditioners, doors, windows, and other structural openings should be examined to insure that there are no gaps which permit cockroach entry. Refuse should be stored in durable, securely covered containers and not kept next to a building. Incoming merchandise such as beverage cartons, groceries, dry cleaning, luggage, and used appliances or furniture should be inspected for hitchhiking cockroaches and/or their egg cases.

Inside a dwelling, all cockroach hiding areas and food sources should be eliminated. Cracks and holes in floors, walls, and ceilings should be repaired and openings around plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical outlets, between window sills and walls, and along baseboards or ceiling moldings should be sealed. Leaky water faucets and pipes should be repaired.

Sanitation or cleanup will aid considerably in cockroach control. Unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils, and exposed food products should not be left overnight. All spilled liquids should be cleaned up. Areas beneath cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves, and refrigerators should be cleaned often, as should cupboards, pantry shelves, and storage bins where tiny particles of food frequently accumulate. Kitchen wastes and dry pet food should be kept in cockroach-proof containers. If pets are fed indoors, leftover food should not be allowed to remain in the feeding dish overnight. Accumulations of stored papers, boxes, or other nonessential items should be disposed of, since these items provide excellent hiding and breeding sites for cockroaches

Follow the links below to identify a roach.

German Cockroach  -  American Cockroach  -  Oriental Cockroach

Brown Banded Cockroach