Pest Control and Termite Control Specialists

American Cockroaches

Identification

American Cockroaches are reddish-brown in colour, about 1.5 inches long, with wings but seldom fly.

Diet

American Cockroaches prefer organic matter, but will eat anything when inside. Sweets are attractive to them. They will also eat starchy items such as book bindings and the back of wall paper.

Habits and Biology

Females produce many egg capsules, the eggs hatch in 50-55 days into greyish-brown “nymphs”. In the north they are commonly found in steam heat tunnels or in large institutional buildings. They prefer open spaces instead of cracks and crevices. When inside they can be found where its dark and moist like the basement, around the bathtub, floor drains and sewers. Out side they like hollow trees, woodpiles and mulch. Usually they live outside but will wander inside in search of food.

Stop water leaks, screen equipment overflow drains and take overflow water away from the buildings. Keep drains traps full or capped. Remove rotting leaves from window wells. Move garbage cans out of preferred moist habitat. Ventilate moist spaces.