Cockroaches. There are many different kinds of roaches. The following information is specifically for the German cockroach. This is the most common roach found in homes, apartments, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals, and other buildings where food is stored, prepared, or served. They eat food of all kinds and may hitchhike into the home on egg cartons, soft drink cartons, used furniture and many other things. Roaches will move from building to building during warm weather. They can develop into large populations and live throughout the home, but usually concentrate in kitchens and bathrooms. Roaches can foul food, damage wallpaper and books, eat glue from furniture and produce an unpleasant odor. Some people are allergic to roaches and they can contaminate food with certain bacterial diseases that result in food poisoning, dysentery, or diarrhea. Cockroaches can also cause childhood asthma.
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Identification. Cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble the adults. Adult German cockroaches are light tan to medium brown except for the shield behind the head marked with two dark stripes (separated by a lighter stripe), that run lengthwise on the body. Adults are about 1/2 to 5/8-inch long and have wings, but rarely fly. Wings cover the entire abdomen of females and almost the entire abdomen of males. The male is light brown and rather boat-shaped, whereas the female is slightly darker with a broader, rounded posterior. Young roaches (nymphs) are wingless and nearly black with a single light stripe, separating two black bands, running down about halfway of the middle of the back. Egg capsules are light tan and less than 1/4-inch long.
Life Cycle and Habits. German cockroach females, unlike most other roaches, carry the egg capsule protruding from their abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. The case is then dropped in a secluded location, with the nymphs emerging within one day. A female may produce four to eight cases during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 48 eggs. Eggs hatch in about one month, and nymphs develop in 1-1/2 to 4 months. Female roaches live about 6-1/2 months and males live slightly less. The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three to four) than other roaches, and only a few individuals are needed to develop into troublesome infestations.
During the day, these roaches may be found hiding, clustered behind baseboard molding, in cracks around cabinets, closets or pantries, and in and under stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers. If clusters of roaches are seen during the day, the population is large. Both nymphs and adults are very active and capable of running rapidly. German cockroaches have a high need for moisture and usually travel 10 to 12 feet from their harborage for food and water in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, etc., preferring darkness. Without food or water, adults may die in two weeks, but can live a month with only water.
Control Measures. Proper long-term control starts with an inspection to determine the specific areas of infestation. Next, the customer should be advised about the proper methods of sanitation to limit roach access to food, water and harborage. Finally, a treatment should be proposed that is tailored to the individual circumstances. Treatment may include residual spraying, baiting or monitoring or combinations of all methods.
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