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Oriental
Cockroach(Waterbug)|American Cockroach|Brown Banded Cockroach
scientific name: Blattella germanica (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Blattodea: Blattellidae)
The German cockroach is the cockroach of concern, the species that gives all
other cockroaches a bad name. It occurs in structures throughout the US, and is the
species that typically plagues multifamily dwellings.
The German cockroach is found throughout the world in association with humans. They 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 cockroaches 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 cockroaches
to establish populations, and limit growth.
The German cockroach has three life stages typical of insects with incomplete
metamorphosis: the egg, nymph, and adult. 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. German cockroaches breed
continuously with many overlapping generations present at any one time. Under ideal
conditions, population growth has been shown to be exponential. Actively growing field
populations are comprised of 80 percent nymphs and 20 percent adults. The German cockroach
is omnivorous, eating table scraps, pet food, and even book bindings.
Egg. Eggs are carried in an egg case, or ootheca, by the female until just before
hatch occurs. The ootheca can be seen protruding from the posterior end (genital chamber)
of the female. Eggs will often hatch from the ootheca while the female is still carrying
it. A typical egg case contains 30 to 40 eggs. The egg case is a tiny, brown, purse-shaped
capsule. It is about 8 mm long, 3 mm high, and 2 mm wide.
 adult
female with ootheca
 oothecae
Larva or Nymph. The nymphal stage begins with egg hatch and ends with the
emergence of the adult. Nymphs are dark brown to black in color, with distinct dark
parallel bands running the length of the pronotum. Nymphs do not possess wings. The number
of molts required to reach the adult stage varies, but the most frequently reported number
of molts is six. The stage between molts is called an instar. At room temperature nymphs
complete development in about 60 days. All developmental stages actively forage for food
and water.
 3rd instar nymph
Adult. The adult is 10-15 mm long, brown to dark brown in color with two
distinct parallel bands running the length of the pronotum. The sexes can be distinguished
by the following characteristics: male - body thin and slender, posterior abdomen is
tapered, terminal segments of abdomen visible, not covered by tegmina (leathery outer
wings); female - body stout, posterior abdomen is rounded, entire abdomen just covered by
tegmina.
 adult male
German cockroaches adulterate food or food products with their feces and defensive
secretions, physically transport and often harbor pathogenic organisms, may cause severe
allergic responses, and in extremely heavy infestations have been reported to bite humans
and feed on food residues on the faces of sleeping humans. In addition, some scientists
suggest that German cockroach infestations may cause human psychological stress and that
the stigma associated with infestations alters human behavior. For example, people with
infested houses do less entertaining, and avoid the kitchen at night for fear of
encountering a cockroach.
Since the German cockroach is considered an aesthetic pest, the action threshold for
this insect depends upon the tolerance of the people living in the infested dwelling.
However, most people associate cockroach infestations with poor sanitary conditions and
typically go to excessive lengths to eradicate them from their houses.
Insecticides in the organophosphorous, carbamate, pyrethroid, amidinohydrazone, insect
growth regulator, inorganic, microbial, and botanical classes are available for
controlling German cockroaches. Insecticide treatments are available in a wide variety of
formulations including (emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, microencapsulated),
dusts, and powders.Baits such as the incomparable easy to use and effective
Seige Roach Bait, or sprays such as Dursban Pro
for crack and crevice application followed by a total release fogger treatment for
flushing with The Pro Control Fogger
are both effictive treatments.However using bait and spray at the same treatment site are
a no no.Crack And crevice Treatment with Dursban Pro usually proves to be effective,
however in my opinion baits are a most effective treatment for German cockroaches.Crack
and crevice treatment with Delta
Dust has an amazing mortality rate on the German cockroach when label directions are
followed.
Treating the outside perimeter with a liquid dust or granules such as
Dursban Granules according to label
directions to prevent further migration into the structure is also a must.
Non toxic and low toxic alternatives for German cockroach control are available. Sticky
traps such as Bell Insect
Monitors can be used to monitor or reduce population size. Improving sanitation by
eliminating food and water sources and clutter can have a significant impact on reducing
the chances of infestation population size. Finally, exclusion practices such as sealing
cracks and crevices will reduce harborage space and also negatively impact population
size.
SIZE: 1 & 1/4 inches long (31mm)
COLOR: Dark reddish brown to black
DESCRIPTION: When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly. Females are wingless,
and males have wings. Unlike other pest cockroaches, oriental cockroaches cannot climb up
smooth surfaces (they lack sticky pads on their feet). Immature cockroaches resemble
adults except that they are wingless.
HABITAT: Oriental cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry
areas if they have access to water. They prefer cooler temperatures around 75 degrees
Fahrenheit and can overwinter in protected areas outdoors where temperatures average 40 to
45 degrees Fahrenheit. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and
crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. They feed on a wide
variety of plant and animal material.
LIFE CYCLE: Females produce egg cases and carry them protruding from the tip of the
abdomen for about two days. Egg cases are then generally glued to a surface in a hidden
location. Egg cases are 3/8 inch long, brown, and purse shaped. Immature cockroaches
emerge from egg cases in 6 to 8 weeks and require 6 to 12 months to mature. Adult
cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produce an average of 150 young.
TYPE OF DAMAGE: Not common in the home
CONTROL: Due to their large size and slow development, large infestations of these
insects are not common within houses. However, during certain times of the year, they may
move inside a house from outside sources. For example, in winter these cockroaches may
move indoors, seeking warmer temperatures and food.
Cockroaches may enter houses via sewer connections, under doors, around utility pipes,
air ducts, or other openings in the foundation. Exclusion is the best way to control this
inward movement of cockroaches. Place fine mesh screening over crawl space vents and
basement floor drains. Seal exterior doors with weather stripping. Fill gaps in walls and
floors where pipes enter using steel wool and/or caulking compounds. Cockroach populations
in basements can be reduced by decreasing dampness and applying insecticides in cracks and
crevices where there is evidence of cockroach activity (presence of egg cases, dead
cockroaches, brown fecal smears).
Cockroach populations around the perimeter of houses are more difficult to control.
First, limit the availability of food and water. Place garbage in trash cans, not plastic
bags (plastic bags rip easily). Divert water from gutters at least 3 feet away from the
foundation. Secondly, reduce hiding places for the cockroaches. Do not stack firewood or
debris next to the foundation. Make a visual inspection locate cracks and crevices
in the building from which cockroaches are emerging. Pay particular attention to
basements and other moist areas that Oriental roaches frequent. Spray these areas with Dursban Pro insecticide and then follow up with a
flushing agent such as the Pro ControlFogger
and seal the cracks and crevices, if possible. A very effective bait to use to control the
Oriental Cockroach after he is eliminated is Niban
Bait especially if it is being used in the basement where this roach is usually
found.Oriental Roaches love this bait and in most cases will find it, however
locating the infestation and placing it close to it is recommended. also treat the outside
perimeter of the structure with Dursban Pro or
Dursban Granules according to label directions.
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Blattaria: Blattidae, Periplaneta americana 
SIZE: American cockroach adults are 1 and 1/2 inches long (38mm)
COLOR: American cockroaches are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the body
region behind the head.
DESCRIPTION: When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly. Immature cockroaches
resemble adults except that they are wingless.
HABITAT: American cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry
areas if they have access to water. They prefer warm temperatures around 84 degrees
Fahrenheit and do not tolerate cold temperatures. In residential areas, these cockroaches
live in basements and sewers, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather. These
cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches,
foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. They feed on a wide variety of plant and
animal material.
LIFE CYCLE: Females produce egg cases and carry them protruding from the tip of the
abdomen for about two days. Egg cases are then generally placed on a surface in a hidden
location. Egg cases are 3/8 inch long, brown, and purse shaped. Immature cockroaches
emerge from egg cases in 6 to 8 weeks and require 6 to 12 months to mature. Adult
cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produce an average of 150 young.
TYPE OF DAMAGE: Not common in the home.
CONTROL: Due to the large size and slow development of American cockroaches, large
infestations of these insects are not common within houses. However, during certain times
of the year, these cockroaches may move inside a house from outside sources. For example,
in winter these cockroaches may move indoors, seeking warmer temperatures and food.
Cockroaches may enter houses via sewer connections, under doors, around utility pipes, air
ducts, or other openings in the foundation. Exclusion is one way to control this inward
movement of cockroaches. Place fine mesh screening over crawl space vents and basement
floor drains. Seal exterior doors with weather stripping. Fill gaps in walls and floors
where pipes enter using steel wool and/or caulking compounds. Cockroach populations in
basements can be reduced by decreasing dampness and applying insecticides in cracks and
crevices where there is evidence of cockroach activity (presence of egg cases, dead
cockroaches, brown fecal smears).
Cockroach populations around the perimeter of houses are more difficult to control.
First, limit the availability of food and water. Place garbage in trash cans, not plastic
bags (plastic bags rip easily). Divert water from gutters at least 3 feet away from the
foundation. Secondly, reduce hiding places for the cockroaches. Do not stack firewood or
debris next to the foundation. Make a visual inspection to locate cracks and
crevices in the building from which cockroaches are emerging. Spray these areas with Dursban Pro, Follow up with Pro Control Fogger and seal the cracks and
crevices if possible. Then for maintenance use the Niban Bait as the treatments for American Roaches
are very similar to treatment of the Oriental Roach. Also treat the outside perimeter of
the structure with Dursban Pro or Dursban
Granules according to label directions.
INTERESTING FACTS: American cockroaches are the largest of the common roaches.
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 Brown Banded Cockroach
The brown-banded cockroach is similar in size and color to the German cockroach. It can
be distinguished by the lack of the brown bars on the shield in front of the wings and by
the presence of two light bands across the wings and abdomen . They prefer a much drier
environment than the German cockroach and are found in ceilings, light fixtures, furniture
and appliances, especially televisions. Generally thourough inspections will have to be
done in all areas of the house as the Brown banded roach doesn't stay close to the water
areas as other types of roaches do.
Insecticide treatments are available in a wide variety of formulations including
(emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, microencapsulated), dusts, and powders.Baits
such as the incomparable easy to use and effective Seige
Roach Bait, or sprays such as Dursban Pro
for crack and crevice application followed by a total release fogger treatment for
flushing with The Pro Control Fogger
are both effictive treatments.However using bait and spray at the same treatment site are
a no no.Crack And crevice Treatment with Dursban Pro usually proves to be effective,.Crack
and crevice treatment with Delta
Dust has an amazing mortality rate on the Brown Banded Cockroach when label directions
are followed.Dont for get to also treat the outside perimeter of the structure with
Dursban Pro or Dursban Granules
according to label directions.
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Iowa -Illinois Termite & Pest Control Inc.
3909 Marquette St.
Davenport Iowa 52806
(877)-472-2345 Phone
(319)-386-0598 Fax
email info@iailtermite.com
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