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Comprehensive Guide to Cockroaches: Species, Behavior, and Control Techniques

Learn about the biology, habits, and control of cockroaches, including common species like German, American, and Oriental. Discover effective sanitation and chemical control methods to manage infestations.

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Comprehensive Guide to Cockroaches: Species, Behavior, and Control Techniques

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  1. Cockroaches and Their Control Dr. Richard M. Houseman Department of Entomology University of Missouri

  2. Cockroaches • Order Blattaria • 3,500 species worldwide • 55 species in U.S. • Incomplete metamorphosis • Food Scavengers • Preferences vary by species • Warm, moist habitats • Domestic/peridomestic • High reproductive capacity • Oviparous, ovoviviparous, viviparous

  3. Life History • Life Stages • Eggs • Normally produced in egg cases called ootheca • Hatch within 30-60 days, depending on species • Some species lay no eggs, or they hatch internally • Nymphs • Most active feeding stage for molting and growth • Live for 30-350 days, depending on species • Adults • Intermittent feeding and reproduction • Live for 2-52 weeks, depending on species

  4. Cockroach Biology • Habitats • Active at night • Prefer warm, moist environments • Near food and water sources • Protected harborages are very important • Domestic species occur indoors • Peak feeding just after dark and just before dawn • Peridomestic populations not limited to indoors • Peak feeding after dark until middle of night

  5. Cockroach Biology • Feeding and Nutrition • Cockroaches are not proud…just hungry • Chewing mouthparts • Feed on a wide variety of things--starches, greases, sweets, decaying organic matter, feces, garbage, etc. • Contamination • Regurgitation and defecation on food • Pheromone secretions (characteristic odor)

  6. Cockroach Biology • Reproduction • Chemicals and sound used to attract mates • Female attracts male • Antennal contact is essential • Primarily on cuticle and antennae • Copulation • May last for hours • Package of sperm deposited • Males of some species seal vaginal opening

  7. Missouri Cockroaches • 5 Common Species • German • Brown-banded • American • Oriental • Pennsylvania wood • Domestic and peridomestic • Can be identified by the egg case or adult stage

  8. Domestic Cockroaches • German cockroach (Blatella germanica) • ½ inch; grayish-tan; two stripes pronotum; • ootheca slender, 1/3”, light brown • Ootheca carried for 3weeks • 1 day; 30-40 eggs; 4-8 ootheca • Nymphs stage lasts 35-60 days • Adults live 4-6 months • Variety of foodstuffs • Mostly kitchens and bathrooms

  9. Domestic Cockroaches • Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) • ½ inch; red-brown; light stripe across abdomen; • ootheca small, ~1/4”, barrel-shaped • Attached ootheca • 40-60 days; 18 eggs; 12-16 ootheca • Nymph stage 3-5 months • Adults 4-8 months • Variety of foodstuffs • Throughout homes • Appliances, ceilings, walls

  10. Peridomestic Cockroaches • American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) • 1½ inch; red-brown; yellow margin of pronotum • ootheca large, >1/3”, barrel-shaped • Attached ootheca • 30-50 days; 14 eggs; 16-20 ootheca • Nymph stage 6-20 months • Adults 12-14 months • Decaying organic matter • Moist, shady areas outdoors • Drains, basements, boiler rooms inside

  11. Peridomestic Cockroaches • Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) • 1 inch; dark brown; shiny; no distinctive markings • ootheca large, >1/3”, barrel-shaped • Attached ootheca • 40-60 days; 16 eggs; 6-8 ootheca • Nymph stage 6-20 months • Adults 12-14 months • Decaying organic matter, filth • Moist, shady areas outdoors • Sewers, drains, basements inside

  12. Peridomestic Cockroaches • Wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta pennsylvanica) • 2/3 inch; dark brown; slender; yellow margin on pronotum, wings • Ootheca slender, curved, >1/3” • Ootheca deposited under bark • Rarely breed indoors • Nuisance pests in May, June • Decaying organic matter • Incidental invaders • Infested firewood often the cause

  13. Cockroach Control • Cultural • Sanitation is key • Chemical (>200 products) • Baits • Most important part of roach control • Should be placed near harborage • Nymphs most susceptible • Adult females less susceptible • Don’t place in treated areas • Can be transmitted via feces

  14. Cockroach Control • Chemical • Liquids • Crack and crevice spray • Directed at harborage • Helpful to get females • Quick knockdown • Space sprays • Gives some residual activity • Shouldn’t use this during baiting program

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