Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Cockroaches: American Cockroach | Brownbanded Cockroach | German Cockroach | Oriental Cockroach

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	American Cockroach	Periplaneta Americana (Linnaeus)	Insecta	Blattodea	Blattidae

	Size:
	Approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/8 inches long, with extremely long antennae.
	Characteristics:
	Males appear considerably longer than females because their wings extend beyond the tip of the abdomen, while those of the females do not. Oval in shape, with a flattened body, long threadlike antennae, mostly hidden head, chewing mouthparts, and leathery veined front wings. Poor to moderate fliers, but sometimes engage in mass migration from one area to another.
	Color:
	Reddish brown throughout, except for a pale-brown to yellowish band around the edge of pronotum. The band is widest in the rear region.
	Where Found:
	Despite its name, is not native to North America. May have come from Africa, but is now all over the world. Also called "Palmetto Bugs".
	Comparison:
	Brown Cockroach/Australian Cockroach: front wings have pale yellow outside margin at base. Smoky Brown Cockroach: pronotum shield uniformly dark. Other roaches are either smaller or larger, without pale markings, and/or not found in structures.
	Habitat:
	Adults or nymphs prefer warm, humid places with a temperature of 82.4 °F but remain active at 70 °F. May be found in residential buildings, but is far more common in food storage and food preparation areas, basements, and steam tunnels of large commercial buildings, such as restaurants, markets, hospitals, and food processing plants. In the United States this is the most common species found in the manholes and sides of sewer systems. In summer, may be found outdoors.
	Food:
	A large variety, but especially fermenting food.
	Biology:
	A female drops her purse-like oötheca (egg capsule) near a source of food or uses a secretion from her mouth to glue it to a suitable surface an average of about 9-10 times during her life. Each egg capsule contains about 14-16 eggs. Development from egg to adult at room temperature takes about 20 months, and 10-13 molts (sheds the outer skin). Adult females live about 15 months, or half that time if the temperature rises to the mid 80s °F.
	Damage:
	Nuisance as well as health hazard, being a carrier of disease.
	Invasion:
	May enter buildings in packaging, come up through sewer drains, or in a mass from other structures or dumps during warm weather.
	Control:
	When this insect is noted inside, preparation will be necessary when treating this pest in a residential setting. Lower cabinets in kitchen and bathroom areas will need to be emptied. Special attention should be paid to areas of high moisture. Drain areas or areas when water accumulates should be inspected and treated. Since the source of this cockroach is usually the exterior of the structure, special attention should be given to woodpiles and areas of organic accumulation or vegetative overgrowth. Cracks in concrete walkways or around hollow block walls create harborages and should be treated. If possible, maintain an 18” vegetation free zone around the structure. Due to the thoroughness required during the treatment process, you may want to use a professional exterminator. Continued monitoring and possible additional treatments may be necessary. Contacting the insects with the material is essential to control. Use of residual liquid pesticides and dusts are recommended. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.