CHAPTER 2 : COCKROACHES

COCKROACHES (ROACHES)

A cockroach is a member class of insecta which is known to have exoskeleton, three part body (head,thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. It has three stage of life cycle consisting egg, nymph and adult. It is known as (Incomplete metamorphosis).

Hardiness species because it can withstand radiation doses 50 times which can kill a full adult human.
It is also reliable to be source of allergens to many people. They carry the organisms on their feet, body hairs and mouth parts and in their intestine. they also eat anything that can be relate as food.

They discharge a nauseating liquid from mouth and thoracic glands which imparts an unsavory odor and taste info infested food. they vomit partly digested food from their mouths and defecate while feeding, both of which are loaded with microorganism.

Do not fly but can move by gliding motion. Most cockroaches are active at night, appearing during daylight only if disturbed or very hungry. Prefer live in warm, moist area such as cracks and crevices near stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, coffee urns and warm water pipes.

THREE MOST COMMON TYPE OF COCKROACHES

• American 
• German
• Oriental

AMERICAN COCKROACHES 

Identification
- The largest of the cockroach pest species, the body of an adult American cockroach is 1.5 to 2 inches in length.
- Color : Reddish brown, with a yellowish band behind the head.

Habitat
- Subfloor, basement, im sewers and other warm, dark, moist locations.
- They avoid cold areas but will thrive outdoors in temperatures above 80F - 26 Celsius.
- Indoors they often congregate around hot water pipes, fridge motors, boilers and other heating appliances.

Rapid Breeding Cycle
- The female life span up to 1.5 years.
- Incubation period of eggs 6 to 8 weeks.

GERMAN COCKROACHES 

Identification 
- Most common found in restaurants, homes and hotels.
- German cockroaches (eggs included), are (brought in), usually on man's belongings, luggage, boxes or packages.
- All it takes, is bringing in one egg capsule, six months later you do have and infestation.

Habitat
- Adults are 1/2 inch - 5/8 inch long.
- light to medium brown with 2 dark distinctive stripes behind the head.
- The young (nymphs) are wingless, smaller and much darker in color, with a light stripe on their backs.

Dietn
- Will eat anything, will stay close to food and water source.
- German infestations usually occur in bathrooms and kitchens. They like to hide-out during the day in tight secure places.
- daytime harborage areas are usually near a food and moisture source, such as, inside wall cavities, behind baseboards, cracks and crevices in pantry, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, and under electrical, heating and cooking appliances.

ORIENTAL COCKROACHES
- Dark brown or black species.
- Less domesticated than most species.
- Habitat include sewers, dump basement, outbuildings etc.
- Have strong, repulsive odor.
- Longest life cycle
- Tends to favor colder climates.

FACT ABOUT ROACHES 
- cockroaches are among the hardiest insects on the planet.

- some species capable of remaining active for a month without food.

- some can go without air for 45 minutes or slow down their heart rate.

- cockroaches were able to recover from being submerged underwater for half an hour.