Cockroaches And What You Can Do To Limit An Infestation

Cockroaches are a problem because they contaminate food, utensils and furnishings, and may transmit many diseases such as gastroenteritis and dysentery.

Large infestations of cockroaches are not only visually off putting but can often create an unpleasant smell. They tend to like warm, damp conditions and will feed from rubbish bins, kitchen cupboards, drainage areas and even sewers.

The American Cockroach

Many cockroach species share similar characteristics. The American cockroach is differentiated by it’s size and is one of the largest of the cockroach family.

An adult American Cockroach is typically 40mm long and is red brown in colour with a border around the head area. This species is known to fly, particularly in warm weather.

The American cockroach is mostly found in dark, warm and moist locations such as unoccupied dwellings, rubbish dumps, sub floors and roof areas away from human activity. It does have a preference for decaying organic waste; however it can survive for months without food.

Most species of cockroaches are known to be able to produce thousands of young throughout the year. Female cockroaches may produce up to 50 cases, about 8mm by 5mm each containing 10-16 eggs. The egg cases are glued to items that are often transported, for example, cardboard boxes or wooden crates.

Nymphs mature in 6-12 months. After about 10 moults in a year, the cockroach reaches maturity and lives only for a further year.

The German cockroach

The most common of all cockroaches, this species is a small light brown flat insect with two dark stripes at the front of the head. German cockroaches will eat almost anything, including built-up cooking grease. Typically an adult is 10-15mm long and although equipped with wings, adults do not appear to fly.

German cockroaches are usually found in warm areas containing food and moisture, typically the kitchen, pantries, cupboards and under sinks or near water heaters – particularly near human activity. If sighted during the day, these cockroaches are probably part of a very large local population.

There are many similarities between the biology of the German cockroach and the American cockroach however the German cockroaches are the most prolific breeders of all pest cockroaches and lay egg cases containing about 40 eggs. These cases are usually about 8mm long, 3mm high and 2mm wide. Egg cases are laid up to 4 times a year after the female reaches adulthood in only 40-60 days, typically after 6 moults.

What you can do to limit infestation:

The key to long-term management of cockroaches is to make the environment less conducive as a habitat, by reducing sources of food, water and shelter available to them. It is not easy, however, to find out where cockroaches have entered your home as they generally enter through hidden access points. You will need a pest control expert to find and treat cockroaches, but you can still limit infestation by doing the following;

• Remove food residue in and around kitchen areas, especially near refrigerators.
• Store food in tightly sealed containers.
• Ensure work surfaces, cracks and crevices are free from food scraps.
• Empty rubbish bins regularly.
• Regularly remove accumulations of cardboard boxes.
• Steam clean soiled areas.
• Install screens to vents, especially over sewers, to increase air flow.
• Improve drainage in wet areas.
• Caulk or grout access cracks to roof and wall voids.
• Eliminate harbourages such as rolled carpet and stacks of paper.
• Fix leaks, especially from hot water systems.
• Regularly turn mulch piles.

There are different solutions to control cockroach infestation depending on your problem and its extent. Before undertaking any treatments getting advice from a trained specialist is always advised as they will undertake a thorough assessment of your particular termite problem. However by following the steps listed above you should significantly reduce the risk of pest activity in your home or office