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Cockroaches and Their Control

Cockroaches and Their Control. Dr. Richard M. Houseman Department of Entomology University of Missouri. Cockroaches. Order Blattaria 3,500 species worldwide 55 species in U.S. Incomplete metamorphosis Food Scavengers Preferences vary by species Warm, moist habitats

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Cockroaches and Their Control

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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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