Denton County Termite and Pest Control Inc.

Serving North Texas Since 1940

Cockroaches German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) Characteristics Light brown coloration Bodies are 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length Two dark stripes running lengthwise on the pronotum Adults are fully winged but rarely fly Distribution Thrive in all types of buildings, but are found most often in homes, apartments, condominiums and commercial food establishments Usually seek dark shelters near moisture and food, such as kitchens and bathrooms When populations become large and food scarce they can appear in bedrooms and other less likely places Brownbanded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa) Characteristics Light gold to glossy dark brown coloration Bodies are 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length Yellow bands transverse across the base of the wings and abdomen Males: Wings cover abdomens Femlaes: Wings are shorter than the body Yellow bands across back more pronounced on nymphs than adults Distribution Are more apt to be found in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, nursing homes and hospitals than in restaurants, grocery stores and other commercial establishments Prefer starchy foods and appear to have lower water requirements than other cockroaches They occupy drier locations within a building Nymphs and adults frequently are found on ceilings in dark or dimly lit rooms, behind picture frames, in light switches, in upper walls of cabinets and closets, or on underside of furniture and inside upholstered furniture. American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Characteristics Bodies are1 1/2 to 2 inches in length Reddish-brown with a light yellow band around the edge of the pronotum Adults have well developed wings, but seldom fly Capable of gliding flights Distribution In warm climates they often live outdoors in alleys, lawns, decayed trees and plants Often enter and thrive in homes, commercial establishments and other buildings, which provide favorable shelter and an ample food supply. Live mainly in dark, moist sites in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, steam tunnels, sewers and even in crawl spaces under buildings. Smokybrown Cockroaches (Periplaneta fuliginosa) Characteristics Bodies slightly more than 1 inch in length Very dark brown to black coloration The pronotum is a solid dark color Both male's and female's have wings longer than their bodies Capable of flight or gliding Distribution Primarily lives outdoors and prefers woods, leaf litter, trash piles and other humid sites with abundant organic matter. Also hide under rocks, ground cover and building materials They may enter homes with infested firewood during seasonal migrations They are most commonly found in Eastern Texas down to the Rio Grande Valley. Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis) Characteristics Glossy dark brown to black coloration Females nearly 1 1/4 inches long; Males are 1 inch long Male's wings cover most of the body Female's wings are reduced to mere lobes Not capable of flight Do not move very fast even when disturbed Distribution Usually found near decaying organic matter. During warm humid weather they inhabit lawns, compost piles, flowerbeds and dumps In periods of drought or with the approach of cold weather they move in masses into homes and other buildings. In buildings they inhabit high moisture areas such as sewers, drains and dark, damp basements. Activity is somewhat restricted to the ground or below ground levels of buildings Commonly found in Western Texas and the Texas Panhandle. Cockroach Prevention Measures Preventive measures are the key to successful control. It is easier to prevent a cockroach invasion than to control an established population. The success of preventive measures requires care, Planning and sustained effort. Cleanliness in the home and elimination of favorable breeding sites lessens the possibility of cockroach infestations and reduces the need for pesticides, but these practices WILL NOT ALWAYS prevent invasions from outside sources. Inspections: Cockroaches and their likely habitats should be identified before any treatment Homeowners can detect conditions that will foster the development of infestations through frequent inspections. Sanitation: Proper sanitation, both indoors and outdoors, effectively limits cockroach populations. Do not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils, and uncovered food out overnight. Clean up all spilled liquids. Areas beneath and behind cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and refrigerators should be cleaned often, as should cupboards, pantry shelves and storage bins where particles of food frequently accumulate. Kitchen waste and excess refuse should be kept in cockroach proof container and disposed of as frequently as possible. Dry pet food should be stored in tight containers away from the kitchen and other food. If pets are fed indoors, leftover foods should not be allowed to remain in the feeding dish overnight. Outdoors, garbage cans, racks, platforms or slabs should be cleaned regularly Exclusion: Discourage cockroaches from entering the home by sealing any cracks of 1/8 in or more in the foundation and exterior walls. Check the seal or caulking around air conditioning unit, windows, doors, pipes or other openings into the home. Inside the home eliminate all possible hiding areas and food sources. Repair cracks and holes in floors, walls and ceilings. Seal openings around plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical outlets, windowsills and walls, and along baseboards and ceiling moldings. Leaky water faucets and pipes should be repaired. Thresholds on doors should be as tight as possible and cracks in porches and stoops should be sealed. Eliminate hiding Places: Paper, Cardboard, lumber, firewood and other debris next to the home provide excellent refuge for several cockroach species. Keep yard trash and stacks of firewood away from the home or garage to minimize the chance of cockroach invasion Cockroach traps: There are a number of cockroach traps that are inexpensive, convenient to use, disposable and contain no toxic insecticide. Most are about the size of a large matchbox, that are open at both ends and have the inside surface covered with a very sticky adhesive. (The adhesive immobilizes cockroaches that enter the trap.) Some may contain a slow release food attractant. Trapping alone will not eliminate cockroach populations, but must be used in conjunction with preventive measures for maximum effectiveness. Trapping can reveal the hiding places and the severity of infestation, help monitor the effectiveness of control measures and detect population increases which may require an insecticide treatment. Traps should be placed where cockroaches are likely to travel to and from feeding and hiding areas. It is best to place traps against walls and in corners where both ends are unobstructed. Reposition the traps if no cockroaches are caught after two or three nights. The number of traps required for a home or building will vary with the kind of cockroach present and the severity and location of the infestation. <back to top>