There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world. The United States is home to 55 of those and only around 5 are found in Pennsylvania. Cockroaches are a common household pest and can spread allergens that affect people with asthma. Like most insects, they are nocturnal. They are also quick breeders—they can infest a house or building quickly if left unchecked. The average incubation rate for cockroaches is only 28 days. If you spot a cockroach of any kind in your home or business, do not delay. Call a pest control specialist—like the ones at Wildlife Enterprises, LLC—immediately.
| American Cockroaches | |
| Appearance | American cockroaches have reddish-brown wings and a figure-8 marking on the thorax. |
| Length | 1.5” to 2” |
| Where You Can Find Them Inside | American cockroaches prefer areas that are damp and dark. You can typically find them around basements and sewers. |
| Food Sources | Milk and fruit, along with cosmetics, soap, book bindings, and wallpaper paste |
| Extra Facts | American cockroaches are known to give off a musty smell. This is their pheromones. They are also called water bugs or palmetto bugs. American cockroaches leave behind droppings that are sometimes mistaken for mouse droppings. |
| Brown-banded Cockroaches | |
| Appearance | Brown-banded cockroaches are light brown with two distinctive bands along the wings and abdomen. |
| Length | Approximately 1/2” |
| Where You Can Find Them Inside | Brown-banded cockroaches prefer warmer, drier locations. They may be found in kitchens, bedrooms, living areas, and sometimes in bathrooms. |
| Food Sources | They prefer foods that are high in starch, like book bindings, stamps, and wallpaper glue. They will, however, eat any food products they can find. |
| Extra Facts | Brown-banded cockroaches can live for over 200 days. Within that time frame, they can reproduce very quickly. Unlike other roaches, brown-banded cockroaches tend to prefer higher places. They may hang out on bookshelves and behind picture frames on the wall. Brown-banded cockroaches are some of the most prolific breeders among cockroach species. |
| German Cockroaches | |
| Appearance | German cockroaches have an oval-shaped body with six legs. They do have wings but they prefer to run. |
| Length | 1/2” to 5/8” |
| Where You Can Find Them Inside | German cockroaches are primarily found in kitchens and bathrooms. |
| Food Sources | Human and pet food, fruit, leather, book bindings, and even the dead bodies and droppings of other cockroaches |
| Extra Facts | German cockroaches will cluster together and may leave brown spotting behind. They are one of the most prevalent indoor species of cockroach. Females will carry their eggs with them until the eggs hatch. They typically stay hidden during this time. |
| Oriental Cockroaches | |
| Appearance | Oriental cockroaches range in color from a reddish-brown to a dark brown. The males have wings but they do not fly. |
| Length | 1” to 1-1/4” |
| Where You Can Find Them Inside | Oriental cockroaches prefer cool, damp places. You’ll mostly to find them in basements. |
| Food Sources | Garbage scraps and rotting food |
| Extra Facts | Oriental cockroaches are slower than other types of roaches. They are sometimes called black beetles or water bugs. |
Complaints
Cockroaches are more than nuisance pests. They have been known to spread bacteria like salmonella and diseases like dysentery, E.coli, and staphylococcus. They can create food safety issues by contaminating food and food preparation surfaces. Cockroaches also known to lower air quality, especially for people with asthma.
Solutions
To prevent a cockroach infestation, keep your home or building clean. Clean food crumbs and keep stored food in airtight containers. Clean and empty your trash on a regular basis. You should also seal entry points around doors, windows, and pipes. Fix any leaks and remove any excess moisture. If you see a cockroach, contact a pest control service as soon as possible.
Wildlife Enterprises, LLC can help you manage cockroaches.
Cockroaches are germy bugs and they can breed quickly. Don’t let your home become invaded by them. Call Wildlife Enterprises, LLC and we’ll help you rid your home of cockroaches. We can also help you create strategies to prevent cockroaches from returning. Call us today to get started.
Dan Lynch is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator with licensing from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. His permitted categories include household and health related pests, wood destroying pests, and public health vertebrate and invertebrate pests.