Roaches
German Cockroach
Can be found all over the world. They are the most common cockroach in the United States. Each German cockroach can live about 100-200 days. Each capsule has 30-48 young. Entomologist believe under perfect conditions, one female can produce up to 10 million offspring in one year. These insects are particularly fond of inhabiting restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels and nursing homes. This cockroach can be seen in the day occasionally, especially if there is a large population or if they have been disturbed. However, sightings are most commonly reported in the evening hours as they are most active at night. This type of cockroach can emit an unpleasant odor when excited or frightened. They particularly like starch, sugary foods, grease and meats. In certain situations where there is a shortage of foodstuffs, they may eat household items such as soap, glue and toothpaste or they may even turn cannibalistic, often chewing on the wings and legs of each other.
Brown Banded Cockroaches
Get their name from the two light bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. The male’s wings are larger than the female’s wings.Brown banded cockroaches often hide their eggs in or under furniture. They usually live 5-6 ½ months and female’s can produce up to 14 capsules in her lifetime each containing up to 18 eggs. They can often be found in homes and apartments, but are less common in restaurants. They tend not to be found in the daytime, since they avoid light. The brown-banded cockroach eats a wide variety of items. Cockroaches are usually scavengers, and thus can eat a wide array of items, often almost anything organic, including decaying matter. It has been known to cause problems in hospitals by emerging at night to feed on bodily fluids, thereby risking cross-infection.
American Cockroaches
Is the largest of the domestic species in the U.S also know as a “Water bug”. They are brown to reddish-brown and have wings covering their entier abdomen. Males are territorial and are strong fliers. Female’s may produce nine to ten capsules in a lifetime, at the rate of one per week. Each capsule usually contains 14 to 18 eggs, Nymphs will hatch from egg in 50 to 55 days. The complete life cycle can take more than two years. The insect can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when someone enters a room, and can fit into small cracks and under doors despite its fairly large size. It is considered one of the fastest running insects. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings.