The US is home to numerous species, but only about six species of cockroaches are normally considered to be Pests of Concern to the Pest Control Industry. The American Cockroach, German Cockroach, Oriental Cockroach, and Smoky Brown Cockroach, are the most common in most areas. The Brown banded Cockroach is common in some areas, The Pennsylvania Woods Cockroach is considered to be an occasional invader in many areas of the country.
Of these, the number one is the German Cockroach as it can be very persistent and hard to control. The German Cockroach is know to carry numerous disease causing organisms. that has the greatest potential of becoming persistent and troublesome is the German cockroach, which prefers indoor locations. American and Oriental cockroaches can be a problem in moist, humid areas, especially crawl spaces, and similar places.
German Roach
Are found throughout the world in association with humans
Are unable to survive in locations away from humans or human activity
The major factor limiting German Cockroach survival appears to be cold temperatures
Studies have shown that German roaches were unable to colonize inactive ships during cool temperatures and could not survive in homes without central heating in northern climates
The availability of water, food, and harborage also govern the ability of German roaches to establish populations, and limit growth
Is considered an aesthetic pest
The action threshold for this insect depends upon the tolerance of the people living in the infested dwelling
Most people associate roach infestations with poor sanitary conditions and typically go to excessive lengths to eradicate them from their houses
Actively growing field populations are comprised of 80 percent nymphs and 20 percent adults
Is omnivorous, eating table scraps, pet food, and even book bindings
The entire life cycle is completed in about 100 days. However, factors such as temperature, nutritional status, and strain differences may influence the time required to complete a life cycle
Breed continuously with many overlapping generations present at any one time.
American Cockroach
Our largest roach, may grow to 1-1/2 inches (35 mm)
It is reddish-brown or mahogany with light markings on top of the thorax (the body division that bears the wings and legs)
Matures in about seven months
Nymphs are grayish-brown, becoming reddish-brown as they mature, and wingless
Prefers damp areas such as basements
May be found around pipes, sewage systems, and drainage systems in homes, commercial buildings and greenhouses
Adults may live for up to 18 months
Brown Banded Cockroach
Adults have wings about 5/8 inch long and are light brown to dark glossy brown
Can be confused with the German roach by homeowners and inexperienced technicians
Males are capable of fligh
Nymphs and females are broad when viewed from above, while the male is slender
The male's wings cover the abdomen, whereas the female's wings are short, exposing the abdomen
Have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble adults
They have two light, transverse bands across the base of the wings and abdomen. These bands may appear irregular or broken, but are usually quite apparent on the nymphs and females
Feed on starchy materials and even non-food materials such as nylon stockings
Are active at night, and nymphs and adults jump rapidly when disturbed
Do not require as much moisture as German roaches and tend to avoid light
Smoky Brown Cockroach
Is a relative of the American roach and resembles it in shape and size
More common in the southern USA, but can be found farther north traveling on plant material, fruit and etc
A little over 1 inch long, and both sexes have wings that are longer than the abdomen
Dark mahogany color is striking
Nymphs like adults are also dark brown
The antenna tips of young nymphs are white, and the base segments of the older nymphs antennae are white
Oriental Cockroach
Known as the "water bug," is more closely associated with damp areas than the other common roaches
Feed on garbage and decaying organic matter and are often considered the filthiest of the house-infesting roaches
Found in damp basements, cellars, crawl spaces, near drains, leaky water pipes and beneath refrigerators, sinks and washing machines, under floors, and inside walls
Forage mostly on first floors of buildings
Outdoors, they are found beneath decomposing leaves or stones in mulching materials, and in trash and at municipal sewer plants
During the autumn, there can be a mass movement into buildings, but because of their preference for cooler temperatures, can be found outdoors and in unheated buildings during the winter
Females (more numerous than males) carry the egg capsule 12 hours to 5 days and deposit them in a sheltered location near or within a food supply at a warm, sheltered spot
Females produce 1 to 18 capsules, each containing up to 16 eggs. Eggs hatch in about 60 days and nymphs develop in about one year. Adult females live 1 to 6 months
Are more common during May, June and July, and are more sluggish than the other common roaches
Usually not found in cupboards, on walls or on upper levels of buildings, unless there is a source of moisture (water leak, etc.)
Occur outside during warm weather. During cool periods of weather they may migrate indoors in mass
Have a preference for high-moisture conditions
Can live without food for a month if water is present, but die in two weeks without food and water
Pennsylvania Woods Cockroach
Is another roach found invading the home in the spring
Live outdoors
Is not as fast, or as wary as its house-
dwelling relatives
May wander into buildings in wooded areas, or may be brought into the home underneath the bark of firewood (are common in woodpiles and similar areas).
Can exist in the home, by living on food in the kitchen.
Males of this species have long wings and may fly for short distances. They are often attracted to porch lights and lighted windows.
Females have short wings and are usually found around the homes primarily in wooded areas.
Adults average 3/4 to 1 inch long and are a drab brown. They require about one year to mature
