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

7/12/2017

15 Comments

 
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
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 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. 
Picture
Photo Credit: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org
American Cockroaches
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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. 
Picture
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
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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. 
Picture
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. 
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843.860.4791
15 Comments
Jona link
10/12/2020 03:04:40 am

Great Guide! You have cleared and explained all the points so good! A well written content! Those things we actually need to do after and before this service of pest control! You have given a good list! It was much needed by me. Thank you for this share!

Reply
Insect spraying link
11/8/2020 09:51:37 pm

American cockroaches are really aggressive, they are those who sneak at you while you sleep and bite you. It happened to me, and it is really scary. They also move so fast while mating season, and you see them often flying everywhere! They do not care where or whom they will land to.
Better call pest control service then for an efficient extermination.

Reply
Rebecca Gardner link
12/17/2020 12:09:13 pm

It was interesting when you said that most pests prefer dark hideouts. I've noticed signs of cockroaches and fleas in my home. I'll have to ask about hideouts to find a knowledgeable pest control service to hire!

Reply
Bairds link
4/7/2021 06:42:55 am

Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful info, Great share, found the articles really worth reading.! By the way we are <a href="https://southernutahpestcontrol.com/">Baird’s Pest Control</a>, licensed and insured. Our products are safe for children and pets. And we don’t do contracts or high pressure sales. Our goal is very simple, we are here to make you happy and your home or business insect free.

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
4/29/2021 01:39:41 am

Thanks for helping me understand how having cockroaches around your home isn't a good thing since it could be a sign of infestation. I have a friend who noticed a couple of roaches around his pizza leftovers last night. Hopefully, this can convince him to look for a pest control service for help.

Reply
Mackenzie Neilson link
6/3/2021 02:19:49 am

Thank You for sharing this interesting article; keep it up to share a helpful article.

Reply
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Henry Killingsworth link
6/21/2021 03:42:12 pm

Wow, it never would have occurred to me that cockroaches can spread infections and disease. It seems like cockroaches could really cause harm if they get into your cabinets that have your foods in them. I would think that working with a pest control company would be a good way for keeping these insects out of your home.

Reply
Amara link
7/15/2021 12:51:24 am

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.

Reply
Braden Bills link
1/5/2022 10:14:43 am

I've got cockroaches in my home, and I have no idea how to get rid of them. It makes sense that figuring out where they are hiding would be important! I'll be sure to work with a pest control specialist, because they would be able to find it for me.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
3/28/2022 01:15:07 am

I was captured when you discussed the importance of knowing the kind of insect to produce successful pest control methods. My house has gotten so many mosquitoes when I left it for months. I better hire the best mosquito removal company near my place to totally get rid of insects.

Reply
Zoe link
7/13/2022 02:50:30 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

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Bella link
10/19/2022 09:32:15 am

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.

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Aaron link
10/19/2022 09:38:29 am

What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.

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Mia Evans link
12/26/2022 05:51:36 am

Thanks for helping me understand that roaches would usually hide in dark areas no matter the type they are. I guess hiring pest control services would ensure that we will be able to get rid of them as soon as possible. I just started to notice them lurking around the sink area of our kitchen which makes me concerned about any contamination they can cause to our food.

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