Cockroach
Certainly near the very top of the list of pests
Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners due to their creepy appearance. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons, because cockroaches are known to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. They also spread nearly 33 kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella.
American Cockroach
Appearance
35 - 40mm long.
Shining red–brown in color.
Wings longer than the body in male; only just overlap abdomen in female.
Runs (may fly at very high temperatures).
Lifecycle
The ootheca (egg case) containing up to 16 eggs is carried by the female for several days before being deposited. Sometimes cemented down and tend to be grouped.
Hatch in 1 – 2 months.
Nymphs usually develop in 6 -12 months, but it can take up to 15 months.
Habits
Also known as the ‘Palmetto bug’ because they live on trees, the American cockroach prefers dark, humid and undisturbed areas and can be found in subfloors, basements, kitchens, roof voids and bathrooms of homes.
Brown Banded Cockroach
Appearance
One of the smallest pest cockroaches, brown banded adult cockroaches are approximately 10 – 15mm in length and characterized by yellow-brown stripes across their abdomen.
Lifecycle
This species lives for 206 days on average and can reproduce at alarming rates. Females will lay about 14 egg capsules during their life span, each capsule containing 10-18 eggs, allowing this species to populate quickly. The brown-banded cockroach is primarily nocturnal. Due to their nocturnal nature and small stature, the brown-banded cockroach can easily go undetected.
Habits
Brown-banded cockroaches can take shelter throughout households and are often found lurking in kitchen cabinets and bathrooms, and even behind picture frames. Their preference for warm, humid environments leads them to ceilings, inside and around appliance motors. Primarily active at night, these opportunistic feeders particularly enjoy materials with high starch contents.
German Cockroach
Appearance
Notorious for their world-wide distribution, German cockroaches are easily identifiable by 2 dark longitudinal stripes on their pronotum (section after the head). Adults grow to approximately 12 – 15mm in length.
Lifecycle
Females carry 35 – 40 eggs in an ootheca (egg case) until they are ready to hatch.
Hatch in 1 month.
Nymphs take between 6 weeks to 6 months to develop into adults.
Generally 3-4 generations per year.
Habits
Most commonly found indoors.
Prefers wet, humid conditions and are typically found in kitchens and bathrooms in homes and commercial properties.