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American Cockroach Control Can Be Much Easier Than It Seams
Also known as large roaches the palmetto bug, palmetto roach and waterbug.
Mating and Egg Laying
Egg casings called ootheca are like mahogany brown shaped like a hand purse.
At the peak of her reproductive period, a female can form approximately 2 oothecae or egg casing per week 1 week after mating. Typically in 3 – 7 days.
On average a female can produce one egg case, capsule or ootheca a month for 10 months.
A female can produce between 15 – 90 egg capsules.
Averaging 12-16 eggs per egg case.
The length of the egg stage can vary between 29 – 58 days.
At room temperature hatching occurs in 50 – 55 days.
They prefer temperatures somewhere between 70°F and 85°F.
They can survive if temperatures remain above 15°F.
Generally, they deposit the egg casing or ootheca near a food source, gluing it to a surface with an oral secretion.
The laid ootheca will contain enough water for the eggs to develop without having to receive any water from the female.
The egg case is brown when deposited and turns black in a day or two. It is about 1/3 long and less than a ¼ high.
Molts or stages of growth can vary from 6 to 14.
In the first instars, roaches are white becoming a grayish brown, subsequent instars the go from white to reddish-brown.
Wings are not present in the nymphal stages.
Wing pads do not become noticeable until the third or fourth instar.
From egg to adult is approximately 600 days. As little 160 days to as long as 971 days.
The nymphs, as well as the adults, actively forage for food and water.
The number of offspring per year can average 800.
Under ideal conditions, an adult female can live up to 15 months.
Males live somewhat shorter live. Go figure!
Habitat
They are known as a “peridomestic species.” meaning they generally live outdoors. However, they can move and populate indoors.
They love humid, moist, and warm, environments they can survive in drier areas but they need access to water.
Inside common areas will be kitchens where food, water and hiding places are plentiful.
Outside in leaf and wood piles anywhere there is decaying organic matter, hollow tree trunks, mulch beds.
They avoid extreme weather conditions so dry and then wet drives them inside.
Feeding
They will almost anything eat sugar, paper, glue, excrement, meat, milk.
Exclusion #1 American Cockroach Control Method
Seal all exterior vents in basements, crawl space, soffits, dryer vents.
Caulk around holes and cracks
Foam all pipes under sinks, ac closets
Make sure all electrical boxes are in good working order with caps on.
American Cockroach Control Products
Niban
Intice 10
Maxforce Complete
Bibor D
Cimexa
Intice Roach Gel
Magnetic Roach Gel
http://www.rockwelllabs.com/
http://nisuscorp.com/
Sources:
American Cockroach
Rachael C. Perrott, Graduate Student, Entomology, Virginia Tech
Dini M. Miller, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology, Virginia Tech
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/444/444-288/444-288_pdf.pdf
American Cockroaches
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/american-cockroaches
American cockroach scientific name: Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Blattodea: Blattidae)
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/roaches/american_cockroach.htm
