Cockroaches are no stranger to mankind. With the assortment of species found around d the globe, they all have their similarities and differences. With the involuntary yelp or jump they produce in people, having these ugly critters in your home is nothing anyone wants, as they are also a health risk and can cost you in the damage they do. In Pittsburgh, there are three common cockroach species found; the American cockroach, German cockroach, and Oriental cockroach. Stewart Termite and Pest Control would like to discuss the fundamentals of the Oriental cockroach.
Oriental Cockroach Identification
Oriental cockroaches are approximately 1” in long and the females tend to be larger. They are typically shiny black or a reddish-brown color. Males have wings, about ¾ the length of their body and the females only have large wing pads; neither can fly.
What Attracts Oriental Cockroaches?
Oriental cockroaches look for climates that are damp, dark, and sheltered areas to breed and develop. They often invade homes because they travel through sewers and may come inside through pipes and drains. If you have an abundance of outdoor plants inside your home, they may come in droves, attracted to the area looking for food. Leaking pipes and other plumbing issues that provide favorable conditions will also attract their company.
Are Oriental Cockroaches Harmful?
Decaying organic matter and trash and nearly anything else that comes their way is edible to Oriental cockroaches. Inside homes they will hunker down rarely used sink drains, garbage disposals, under cabinets that contain plumbing or in bathroom voids. Because of the different places they are willing to traverse, they can easily pick up disease-causing bacteria that will spread to places they march including pantry goods and surfaces you prepare food. E.coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens, Oriental cockroaches contaminate and transmit the diseases onto otherwise clean surfaces. In addition to the pathogens, Oriental cockroaches secrete odors from their bodies; where it can taint food by changing its smell or flavor. Because of their appearance and the odor they secrete, they are often confused with stink bugs.
Where Do Oriental Cockroaches Live?
Outdoors, Oriental roaches can be living beneath the mulch in landscape beds, in leaf piles beneath stones or other debris outdoors. They will also thrive in the voids in walls, under porches and crawlspaces. In the city areas, large numbers are frequently found infesting storm drains and sewers. Since they prefer cool and damp areas, they are found in basements and cellars along with service ducts, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, radiators and pipes. In the summers, they look for cool areas and a water source. They typically feast food crumbs, decaying plants and animals although they are omnivorous and will eat nearly anything. Notorious for feeding on garbage, filth, and other decaying materials, but they are dependent on a water source because they can a month without food; these roaches cannot survive for more than two weeks without water.
Cockroach Control
If you believe you have you an Oriental cockroach or any other roach or pest infestation issue, call in the professionals of Stewart Termite and Pest Control can quickly respond to your location and dispense of the issue at hand.