Identification
There are several hundred species of cockroaches in the world. Approximately 70 species of cockroaches exist in the United states. In greater Atlanta, Georgia there are two common roaches that cause problems for most residence. The American Cockroach also known as the “Palmetto bug” or “water bug” and the German cockroach.
The cockroach has three life stages: the egg, nymph and adult. There may be from 30-48 eggs in the German cockroach egg capsule. Other cockroaches may have only 10-28 eggs per capsule.
Newly hatched nymphs have no wings and they shed their skins (molt) several times before becoming winged adults. German cockroaches develop quickly and may have several generations per year, but the larger outdoor species may require up to a year or more to develop from egg to adult.
Cockroaches hide in dark, sheltered places during the day and come out to feed at night. This is called Nocturnal behavior.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus), adults are 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches long (38-50mm), making them the largest of the house-infesting cockroaches. With reddish brown, fully developed wings, the American cockroaches have a yellowish margin on the thorax or body region behind the head. When disturbed, they may run rapidly and adults may fly. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Some people call these American Cockroaches the Palmetto bug or Water bug. Not sure how these names came about its probably just an attempt to make people feel better about the invading insects, like rats vs. squirrels.
German Cockroach
The German cockroaches Blattella germanica, adults are 5/8″ inches long (15.8mm) are the most common roaches found in houses and restaurants. Most cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble the adults. They eat food of all kinds and may hitchhike into the house on egg cartons, soft drink cartons, sacks of potatoes or onions, used furniture or appliances, beer cases, etc. Produce departments, stores, nursing homes and other such places are constantly fighting German roaches (as a general rule) and are notorious for being the source of residential infestations.
How, When and Why They Become a Nuisance Pest
The cockroach is usually found in the kitchen and bathroom, although it may be found throughout the home. Roaches are frequently living in kitchen sinks or drain boards, in cracks around, inside and beneath cabinets, behind drawers, around pipes and conduits, behind window and door frames, in cracks and voids behind baseboards and moldings, under tables and chairs, in bathroom sinks, toilets and tubs, and in television and appliance cabinets. Some species of roaches prefer damp, warm places and usually are found in garages, sewers, attics, storage rooms or closets and similar locations.
Cockroach disease is something that many people have concern about when they see a cockroach in their home. Roach disease such as dysentery, typhoid, poliomyelitis and gastroenteritis can affect humans. Cockroaches are known to carry disease because they can live on fermenting or rotting products, animal and human feces, rotting food or animal corpses and more. These filthy creatures often live on unsanitary substances. Cockroach insects contaminate food and food handling items, destroy fabric and paper products and leave behind stains, odors and feces.
Many substances that roaches and palmetto bugs feed on are already contaminated, and as the cockroach moves from one location to another it spreads the disease along the way. Cockroach disease can spread fast to humans considering cockroaches often hang out in the kitchen and places where food preparation takes place.
Atlanta, Georgia Roach Removal & Roach Pest Control
Urban Wildlife Control provides cockroach extermination services for home and businesses in Atlanta and Georgia. We utilize a combination of removal, exclusion and insecticide application methods to promptly eradicate roach populations, and our ongoing monitoring and maintenance service will provide long-term protection.
