Pest control for cockroaches is one of the most time intensive treatments performed by pest control companies. They are known carriers of many diseases and contribute to allergies and asthma. These pest control methods must kill 95% of the overall population to be effective in a property due to the fast reproductive cycles. We use three methods to control these pests. Pesticides, baiting and using IGR’s which will keep them from reproducing and growing. There are four types of cockroaches that are typically found in California.
AMERICAN COCKROACH
The first is the American cockroach, which is up to one and a half inches in length. The American cockroaches, sometimes called the “Palmetto Bug,” can be identified by their reddish brown color, and they also have a yellow edge on their body directly behind the head. These female cockroaches produce eggs capsules which have an average of 14-16 eggs. It will take 6-12 months for them to mature. The American cockroach is the biggest type of cockroach you will likely see in your home. American cockroaches are found in moist shady areas outdoors, in yards, hollow trees, wood piles, and mulch. They prefer warm temperatures around 84 degrees Fahrenheit and do not tolerate cold temperatures. These cockroaches are common in basements and sewers, crawl spaces, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather. The American cockroach is a scavenger that feeds on decaying organic matter and a variety of other foods. They can live for about one year.
ORIENTAL COCKROACH
The Oriental cockroach, sometimes called “water bugs,” can be identified by its dark brown or black color, and is usually around one inch in length. The female cockroach produces egg capsules which have an average of 14-16 eggs per capsule. It takes them 6-12 months to mature. Indoors, Oriental cockroaches prefer dark, moist areas such as under porches, sewers, drains, crawl spaces, basements, garages, laundry rooms and floor drains. Outdoors, these cockroaches can be found in yards, beneath leaves, under bark and mulch areas. Oriental cockroaches feed on all kinds of filth and other decaying organic matter. They seem especially fond of garbage. If water is available, they can live for a month without food. They live for about one year.
GERMAN COCKROACH
The German cockroach is the one that needs to be identified the most, as it is the biggest pest of them all. Adult German cockroaches are 1/2 to 5/8 inches long and are brown or dark brown and have two parallel lines running from the back of the head to the wings. The female cockroach lays approximately 30-48 eggs per egg capsule. It will only take them 6-12 weeks to mature. German cockroaches usually prefer a moist environment with a relatively high degree of warmth. These cockroaches can be found primarily in the kitchen near the stove or sink when indoors and travel throughout the home as space gets limited. They prefer the temperature to be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These insects are mostly scavengers and will feed on a wide variety of foods. They are especially fond of starches, sweets, grease, and meat products.
German cockroaches are mostly active at night, when they forage for food, water, and mates. If they are seen during the daytime that typically means there is a heavy population. They can live for 6-9 months.
BROWN BANDED COCFKROACH
The brown banded cockroach is tan to light brown and is a small species of cockroach, measuring about ⅝ inches in length. It has two light-colored bands across the wings and abdomen. The female will produce 10-18 eggs per egg capsule. It will take about 2-7 months for them to mature. They prefer a much warmer temperature of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and are active at night. Brown banded cockroaches prefer warm and dry locations, such as near refrigerator motor housings, on the upper walls of cabinets, inside pantries, closets, dressers, behind picture frames and furniture in general. They will live for about 10 months.