6. A+D - Cockroach

Taxonomy

• ~ 4,000 Species worldwide

• 70 species in the US, 24 have been introduced

Cockroach Morphology

• Cerci with 8 or more segments

• Biting-Chewing Mouthparts

• Head concealed by large pronotum

• Hind femora not enlarged

• Dorsoventrally flattened

Life History of Cockroaches

• Multiple eggs in each egg case, called ootheca

• Many eggs mean many nymphs

• Nymphs look like small versions of the adults

German Cockroach #1

• Most important domestic pest throughout the developed world

• Adults about 16mm, bronze, w/ two dark stripes on the pronotum

• Found everywhere, but likely warmth, moisture, and darkness

• Found in kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, and is nocturnal

German Cockroach #2

• Does not move between buildings readily

• Produce an ootheca with 30-50 embryos 4-8 times

• Mother carries eggs to term even if she is dead

• Eats almost anything

Brown-banded Cockroach

• Small: 13-14.5 mm w/ side to side stripes

• Found in warm and dry spots, often high up

• Confided to indoor environments of heated structures

• Development from egg to adult in about 6 months

• Females affix their ootheca to furniture

American Cockroach #1

• Large: 34 to 53cm and reddish-brown color

• Undergoes 10-13 molts over 1.5 to 2 years

• Female produces 9-10 egg cases w/ 12-16 embryos

• Lives in buildings, sewer system, tree holes, ships, and mines

American Cockroach #2

• Can move through crawl spaces of hospitals via pipe chases into other areas

• Most cosmopolitan species

• Likes it hot

Oriental Cockroach

• 25-33cm, black in color

• Development about one year

• Lives in sewers, basements, and mulch, sump pumps, and floor drains

• Likes it cool and wet

• Mobility fairly restricted, rarely seen during the daytime

Signs of Cockroaches

• Live Cockroaches

• Dead Cockroaches and their parts

• Frass (insect fecal matter)

• Egg cases

Where cockroaches live

• Anywhere in a building

• Prefer spots near water but also need food and warmth

• In cracks + Crevices where their bodies touch surfaces above and below

What cockroaches eat:

• Crumbs

• Grease

• Trash

• Cardboard glue

• Just about anything

Where Cockroaches Drink:

• Sinks

• Counters

• Pet bowls

• Sweaty pipes

• Shower Stalls

• Refrigerator drip pans and gaskets

• AC units

Public Health Importance

• Pathogen Agents

• Intermediate Hosts

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Cockroach Allergies:

• One of the more significant indoor allergens of modernized societies

• Among asthmatics, about half are allergic to cockroaches

• Sneezing, runny nose, skin reaction, and eye irritation

• Severe cases include difficulty breathing or even anaphylactic shock

Prevention and control: Sanitations

• Good sanitation makes pes control work

• Eliminate hiding spots, food, water available at night by:

  • Cleaning the kitchen

  • Reducing clutter

  • Throwing away dead cockroaches

  • Cleaning frass and areas where there were cockroaches with simple soap and water

Prevention and Control: Exclusion

• Seal or fix cracks, peeled wallpaper and shelf liners, or holes that cockroaches could get through

  • Silicone Caulk

  • Copper Mesh

  • Screens

  • Door Sweeps - Always on boiler rooms and exterior doors

Prevention and Control: Targeted Chemical use

• Sanitation first

• Maintenance staff and residents should not spray, spraying should be a last resort and done only by a pest control operator

• Read the ENTIRE pesticide label before buying, using, storing, or disposing of a product.

• The label is the LAW

Prevention and Control: Baits

• The most effective pesticide option

• Won’t work if contaminated by strong-smelling cleaners or other chemicals, pesticide sprays or foggers or nicotine from cigarette smoke

• Use in every room where inspection finds evidence

• The bait needs to be the only food in the area

• Slow to kill: they feed on the bait and take it back to their hiding spots where other cockroaches live

Prevention and control: Insect growth regulators (IGRs)

• Interfere with cockroach growth and egg hatching

• In baits, sprays, aerosols, and powders

• Take a month to work

• Stay effective for a long time

• Compatible with other IPM methods; may enhance the baits