Have you noticed that with the beginning of summer there are not only more kids outside, but more cockroaches as well? Stewart Termite & Pest Control would like to help you understand why cockroaches seem to come out when the temperature rises, how to identify the most common cockroach and how to avoid having them in your home.
Common Cockroach Species in Greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The three most common cockroaches found here are the German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and the American cockroach. All three of these cockroach species are unable to survive in cold climates. That is why you frequently see cockroaches more during the warmer months. The German cockroach reproduces faster than the Oriental and American cockroaches and is the most troublesome pest of the three. For these reasons we are going to focus on how to identify the German cockroach today and what to do if you spot them in your home.
German Cockroach Identification
The scientific classification for the German cockroach is Blattella germanica. They are typically 0.43 to 0.63 inches long. They range in color from tan to almost black. German cockroaches have two dark, almost parallel streaks, that run from right behind their head to the base of their wings. Despite the possession of wings, they can barely fly. Occasionally they may glide if disturbed. The Asian cockroach looks extremely similar to the German cockroach but the Asian cockroach can indeed fly.
Where Do German Roaches Come from & Where are They Found?
German cockroaches tend to make their homes inside buildings, especially restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and institutional establishments such as nursing homes. Though originally only found on certain continents, the German cockroach can now be found on all continents except Antarctica. Since the German cockroach is a nocturnal pest, most sightings occur in the evening. When you do see them during the day it most likely means that their home is getting crowded or has been disturbed.
What Do German Cockroaches Eat?
Meats, starches, sugars, and other fatty foods are the diet of choice for German cockroaches. When those items can’t be found they may eat other household items such as soap, glue, and toothpaste. Under dire circumstances they have been known to turn cannibalistic, chewing at each other’s wings and legs.
German Cockroach Life Cycle
As mentioned above, the German cockroach has the shortest reproduction cycle. The female German cockroach carries the eggs (typically 18-50 at a time) in an ootheca in her abdomen. Eventually the ootheca detaches from the female. The cockroaches hatch once detached from the female’s body. After hatching they grow into maturity quickly. The process from egg to reproductive adult takes place in approximately 50-60 days. Their quick reproduction cycle makes them extremely hard to get rid of!
Cockroach Infestation Control
You may be asking yourself what you can do if you start to see pesky German cockroaches in your house or business commercial establishment. Trying to get rid of these roaches can be a challenge due to their short reproductive cycle, preference and ability to hide in small, confined spaces as well as the resistance they have to some chemical pesticides. Stewart Termite and Pest Control can help you develop a comprehensive and systematic approach to shutting down their reproduction and terminating the existing cockroaches. Give us a call today!