Category: American Cockroach

Good Ol' American Cockroaches

8/23/2017

Photo Credit: Kansas Department of Agriculture , Bugwood.org

In the last blog post, we went into great lengths about one of the smaller species of roaches: the German Cockroach. In this post, we're going to be focusing on the largest roach nuisance in our area: the American Cockroach. As far as size, the American Cockroach is about three times the size of the German. These roaches can get to be 1 1/2 inches long! These cockroaches were introduced to America nearly 400 years ago by ships coming from Africa. The appearance of these roaches isn't for the faint of heart. With their size and reddish-brown coloring, they can be quite scary to look at.

A few of you may remember that horrifyingly awful movie Joe's Apartment from the late 90s. The stars of that movie were the ever so disgusting American Cockroach. The setting of that movie was in New York City where a home infestation of that magnitude from an American Cockroach is more likely. It's colder in the northern states which is why it is where you're more likely to find these cockroaches indoors. The American Cockroaches are not a fan of cold environments, and in colder areas, they retreat to find comfort inside homes and buildings. These critters prefer climates that are warm and humid.

Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, SC

I know what you're thinking: "Did you just say warm and humid?" That's right...I did. Here in Charleston, SC, the climate is perfect outside for these American Cockroaches. In fact, you may even know them better as Palmetto Bugs or Waterbugs. These guys are the ones you see scurrying along the sidewalks and across your home's threshold. I know, I know. These are the ones that give you a heart attack and make you scream for your mommy. The euphemism of Palmetto Bug may sound quaint and of another world, but I assure you these roaches are just as disgusting as the German roaches infesting our southern homes.

Research shows that these roaches potentially carry over 30 different types of bacteria and parasites around (including E. coli, Salmonella, and parasitic worms). Yikes! Pass the disinfectant!

The American Cockroach really prefers hanging out outside in the mulch beds around your house, sheds, wood piles, etc. Don't get me wrong, these guys will make their way into your house. If their food supply runs low, these guys will not hesitate take up refuge in your home. If need be, these roaches will travel 100s of feet from from their home in search of food. and when it comes to food, American Cockroaches are not picky eaters. The're even known to feast on the glue that binds books together.

Typically, restaurants and warehouses are a more ideal environment and are hit harder than homes when it comes to these cockroaches. Often with warehouses and restaurants there are large doors left open, or entrances and exists that are frequently opening and closing. With such easy access, getting into these locations is no problem for the American Cockroach.

The life span of an American Cockroach is 2 years which is significantly longer than that of a German cockroach. Because of their longer lifespan, they don't have the need to reproduce as quickly as the German Cockroach. It takes nearly an entire year for one of these cockroaches to develop into an adult from an egg. Egg sacks are dropped and placed in protective locations about once a week, but the gestation time inside the egg can be one to two months. Temperature plays a role in the hatching process and can affect the length of the roach's gestational period.

In a single year, a pair of American Cockroaches can have over 500 offspring under prime environmental conditions!

If you fear that you may have an American Cockroach infestation, don't hesitate to contact us at Champion Pest Management. We will be happy to perform a free inspection and give you a quote for a pest control plan that is best for you and your home or business.

843.860.4791

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Which Roach is Which? Let's Figure Out Who We're Fighting

7/12/2017

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The Cockroach
An outcast,
A creature we despise,
It looks so small and tiny,
And has gimlet eyes,
It stalks the drains and kitchens,
And scavenges in the night,
And climbs upon our plates of food,
Such an unwelcome sight.
--Simon Clark

Aside from termites, cockroaches are the number one expense when it comes to pest control in the United States. It's a huge slice of the 7.5 billion dollars spent in the US on pest control a year. With that kind of money going out, it's extremely important to make sure that your hard earned dough is being put to good use, so proper identification and treatment is essential.

Biologically speaking, most of these home invaders are very similar to one another in the idea that they prefer dark hideouts. Cracks and voids are typically where these guys like to hang out. They do this, so they can avoid air movement. Roaches are not a huge fan of vibration and air moving over them.

Cockroaches are omnivorous which means they don't discriminate when it comes to their dinner menu, and these little guys are hungry to eat both plant or animal matter.

Have you ever flipped a light switch and been witness to cockroaches scattering about as if they've been caught red-handed in a conspiracy meeting? This is instinctual for cockroaches because for the most part they are negatively phototactic--in simpler terms, what this means is they don't like the light, and when a light is switched on quickly, these guys are frightened and go to seek out the comfort of their dark, tiny, damp homes. There are a few roaches who are drawn to light, but they still aren't a fan of being startled quickly with light.

As pest control experts, knowing who we're battling is a key element in successful pest control strategies. In the United States, there are approximately 69 species of cockroaches, but less than 10 of them are what we would consider home invaders.

In the Charleston area, we encounter 5 species that Champion Pest Management works to protect you from under our service agreement. It's extremely important for our techs to first identify what type of pest you may be dealing with in order to customize the best treatment for your home or business. In this post, we will discuss some basic characteristics of these 5 species and how they vary from one another. In the weeks to come, keep an eye out for our roach series where I'll devote more attention to each type of cockroach.

German Cockroaches

These home invaders can be considered the most common species of roaches. Interestingly enough, German Cockroaches aren't German at all! More than likely, these creatures originated in Asia or possibly Africa. Here are just a few of their identifying characteristics:

They are fairly small in size. They average around 1/2 inch long and have 2 darker brown stripes close to their head
As far as breeding is concerned, Germans are the FASTEST breeding cockroaches which means an infestation can get out of hand pretty quickly. One female can produce 30,000 offspring in a year like a well oiled assembly line!
Water is way more valuable to them than food. Bathrooms and kitchens are the most common areas for these guys to camp out as unwelcome squatters.

Photo Credit: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

American Cockroaches

Photo Credit: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

American Cockroaches are something we are all too familiar with in the Charleston area. You may know them better as the Palmetto Bug. These pests are definitely a common occurrence in our area and are often seen scurrying along the sidewalks looking for safe passage from one side to the next. These cockroaches are larger in size, and for many, that makes them a much more frightening prescience. Luckily, in the South, these guys are more typically found outdoors, and if them come into your home, it's usually through the door or another entry point of the home.

American Cockroaches are much larger than Germans. These guys are about 1 1/2 inches long, are reddish brown in color, and towards their heads, they have yellowish markings.

Population growth for these guys is a little slower than other coackroaches. Only about 300-500 offspring come from a pair, and it can take upwards to a year to develop from an egg to an adult.
These roaches have wings that cover the length of their body, and while they may not be the strongest fliers, they can glide fairly long distances.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches

The Smoky Brown Cockroach is very similar to the American Cockroach (especially our Palmetto Bugs), but they are slightly smaller, and they have a much more uniform color.

These roaches will grow to be 1 to 1 1/2 inches in length. Unlike the German and the American cockroaches who have marking near their head, the Smoky Brown is a solid red brown (similar to mahogany) from tip to toe.

Photo Credit: Janet Hurley, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, Bugwood.org

The Smoky Brown is typically a Southeast roach. They aren't a fan of the cold and very much prefer warmer and tropic temperatures. This is a reason they are mainly found outdoors, but they will venture inside in search of food.
The female can lay roughly 24 eggs in an egg capsule which she can secure to various surfaces (i.e. walls, curtains, or wood).

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Photo Credit: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

Brown-Banded Cockroaches can be confused with German cockroaches in color and size--specifically, the male Brown-Banded. The female are fatter and appear slightly darker. It is believed that these roaches were introduced to our country after WWII. This makes them kind of like the new kids on the block when it comes to roach infestation in the US. Identifying the Brown-Banded correctly is crucial because eradication of this species is slightly different than other types of roaches due to behavior that is a little unique.

The Brown-Banded Cockroach has a preference for warm, dry environments. you may find them camping out near fridge motors, inside clock radios, or deep in the recesses of your dresser. No matter where they camp out, you can bet it'll be higher up and away from water.
The egg capsules of the Brown-Bandit are left in large numbers and glued together into groups. Brown-Bandits do make sure to leave these egg clusters in a protected locations.
Although they share some similarities to the German, the Brown-Bandit lives longer than the German; because of this, they don't need to reproduce quite as fast.

Asian Cockroaches

If you thought the Brown-Banded looked like the German, just wait until you see the Asian Cockroach. Asian Cockroaches are not native to the United States, and were introduced in Florida in the 1980s--making them an even newer threat than the Brown-Banded Cockroaches. Unlike the German Cockroach, the Asian roaches are found mainly outdoors and fly. Asian Cockroaches are attracted to light sources, and at night will fly towards to the light. You may happen to see these guys crawling across your television screen.

These guys are super flyers! This one way to tell if you have a German roach or an Asian roach infestation. Asian cockroaches can even fly up to 150 feet!!
An Asian Cockroach nymph can take just a hair over 2 months to make it to adulthood, so that means that they multiply quickly.

Photo Credit: Natasha Wright, Cook's Pest Control, Bugwood.org

These roaches love the outdoors, and they really like to feed on plant and flower matter. Your flower beds make prime real estate for Asian Cockroaches. If they are in your yard, the likelihood of them flying indoors in the evening time is greater because they will be attracted to the light inside your home.

Other than Being Scary Looking, Why are Cockroaches so Bad for our Homes?

Alright, so maybe after all this, cockroaches don't seem so scary right? Maybe we can all live together in peace and harmony?
Not quite.
Cockroaches have been around for an extremely long time. There are some roach fossils that date back 320 million years! They will probably be around much longer than we will be to be honest. So what's the point? Why fight it?
Well, cockroaches can be dangerous to our health as humans. These creatures are not only creepy to look at, but they can make your living arrangements downright perilous.

Believe it or not, there are some species of cockroaches who have been known to BITE humans. While this bite isn't poisonous, it can cause extreme irritation and swelling to the affected area.
Roaches secrete a saliva that can trigger all kids of allergic reactions making your life extremely unpleasant. Heck, even without the idea of allergic reactions, knowing they secrete a saliva is worrisome enough for me.
Roaches are VERY adaptable. Once they've decided on a home, it can be very difficult to get them to want to leave. Maybe that's why they've been around form over 300 million years.
Cockroaches can spread disease and infections. Not sure about you but the idea of Cholera, Dysentery, Gastroenteritis, and Salmonella being spread through my home by a creature that can move 3 miles an hour and have zero discrimination over what it like to feast on is quite troublesome.

Why you Shouldn't be too Fearful

While the idea of a roach infestation can seem quite scary, it really isn't a time to loose your composure. If you fear an infestation in your home give us a call at Champion Pest Management. We're happy to come out, inspect, identify, and treat your home.

Together, we can keep your home safe and pest free.