Cockroach Control

The German cockroach is the most common and widespread household cockroach. Adults are 1/2 to 5/8 inch long and light brown to tan bodies. There are two dark brown stripes on the pronotum, running from front to back. Both adult males and females have well-developed wings, but they do not fly. German cockroaches are most common in areas of the house in which there are abundant food and water, high humidity, and safe harborage. They are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms. However, they may invade other rooms if sanitation is poor or if the population is large. 

German cockroaches are active at night, searching for food and water. Small nymphs usually remain within harborages, foraging for food scraps there. Newly hatched nymphs must also feed on cockroaches feces. Seeing adults or nymphs during the day is a clue that the population is large. 

While females are producing and carrying an egg case, they are inactive. They rarely feed or seek water and remain hidden. This behavior tends to protect them and their young from pest control efforts. German cockroaches have small yellowish and brown egg case. German cockroach egg case contains from 30 to 40 eggs. The female carries the egg case on the tip of her abdomen until about 24 hours before the eggs are ready to hatch. Then, she drops the egg case and leaves the nymphs to fend for themselves. Adult female lives for about six months. On average, she will produce one egg case a month, or about 150 to 240 nymphs in all. The average life cycle is about 100 days under favorable conditions.

How to Prepare Treatment:

The first order of business is the "Clean-out." You will need to remove everyday used items from kitchen cabinets. You can place them on the kitchen or dining room table covered with a sheet. Items that normally requires washing before use can remain in the cabinet, however items must be washed before use. Bathrooms vanity and cabinet must be emptied (items can be place in tub and covered). Dresser draws 

 may or may not need to empty or pulled out, it depends on whether they are infested. All children toys must store away and covered. Make plans to be away from home at least an hour after treatment. 

What to do after treatment:

You will need to wipe off counter tops in kitchen and bathrooms. Try not to get heavy soapy water along the back seams of counters or along baseboards. Do not wipe cabinet hinges. No cleaning is necessary under sinks. Do not move any bait stations. On re-entry, open windows or doors if you feel ventilation is needed. If you have questions, call Management, they will get answers from Pest Control Co.

Treatment Protocol: 

Initial Clean-out plus 2 - 4 follow-up treatment on a month-to-month basis. In severe infestations a second treatment is needed in 2 weeks before monthly treatments begins.

Your treatment will consist of a residual spray to cracks & cervices, baseboards and any place where cockroach travel or hide. Vacuum & Baiting will be applied as needed followed by fogging. Follow-up treatment in most cases will be required for at 2 least months. How many follow-up treatments will depend on the severity of infestation? In apartment buildings a bi-weekly follow-up is likely needed. You will once again enjoy your home free from cockroaches. 

American Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)

The American cockroach is the largest species in Virginia. Adults maybe up to 2-1/8 inches long, and they typically range from 1-3/8 to 1-1/2 inches in length. Adult cockroaches are reddish brown. The pronotum has a light-colored margin without stripes. The last segment of the cercus is at least twice as long as it is wide. In this species, the male has wings longer than abdomen. The female's wings are shorter, just covering the abdomen. Males and females are weak to moderately good fliers.

American cockroaches prefer warm, moist habitats. In southern regions of the United States, this species is both an indoor and outdoor pest. Indoors, it usually frequents kitchens, bathrooms, basements, boiler rooms, steam tunnels, warehouses, and sewer systems. Outdoors, it lives in leaf litter around the house, in flowerbeds, in rotting wood, firewood piles, alleyways, and dumps. In northern regions of the country, this species is primarily an indoor pest; however, some individuals will move outdoors during the warm months.

American cockroaches often infest warm basements areas, near water heaters, floor drains,and/or water sumps. They are usually found below ground or at ground level. From basements and sewer systems they move into living spaces, but usually not in large numbers. 

American cockroaches move by running from place to place. They cannot easily climb smooth surfaces, so they may become trapped in a sink or bathtub. Although they often infest homes, American  cockroaches are much likely to infest commercial buildings such as restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, food processing plants, and hospitals.

The female American cockroach usually drops and secures her egg case as soon as it is produced. The adult female may live for 12 to 15 months and usually lays nine to ten egg cases, each containing 14 to 16 eggs. The females often deposit their egg cases or glue them with mouth secretions in protected places. The cockroaches may cover egg cases with pieces of organic matter. The nymphs feed on the same food as the adults. Cockroaches will complete their development and become reproductive in six to 12 months. Adults and nymphs actively forage during the warm months of the year. Adults live about six to eight months. Other Periplaneta cockroach species are also household pests. These include the smokybrown cockroach, P. brunnea. The biology and habits of these species are similar to that of the American cockroach. They are much more common farther south. However, they are found in parts of Virginia.

Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

 Adult oriental cockroaches are usually shiny black but may be dark reddish brown. Males are about 1 inch long, and females about 1-1/4 inches long. The males have short wings, which leave about 25% (three to five abdominal segments) of the back of the abdomen uncovered. Females have no wings, only short wing pads with veins. Neither sex can fly.

This cockroach is widely distributed in the United States. It is tolerant of cool conditions and is active in the early spring. Oriental cockroaches live:

 1) In the spaces between soil and the foundation wall of building;

 2) in water meter boxes;

 3) under stoops, sidewalks, debris, and stones; and

 4) in leaf litter and landscaping mulch.

In building, this species often infests crawl spaces, basements, and the first floor, especially in and around floor drains. If they reach higher floors, these cockroaches usually stay around water pipes, which they can climb for access.

The females deposit her egg case soon after it is formed. Sometimes she attach it to a surface. Each female usually produces eight egg cases during her life span. Each egg case contains about 16 eggs. Oriental cockroaches produce only one generation per year in cool climates.

Nymphs develop slowly during the spring and summer, become nearly full grown by fall. Large nymphs overwinter with little feeding and molt to the adult stage in the spring. Immature cockroaches require six to 12 months to mature. Adults live for two to six months.

Oriental cockroaches feed on all kinds of food and decaying organic matter, but they prefer starchy foods. They are much despised because of their strong "roachy" odor and because they feed on filth.