American Cockroaches

What do American cockroaches look like?

An American cockroach has three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In its egg, you'll find it inside an ootheca. An ootheca is a small egg pouch containing about 15 eggs. The ootheca of an American cockroach is dark mahogany. When the eggs hatch, nymphs emerge. These nymphs are about ⅛ to ¼ of an inch long, much smaller than the adult insects. The nymphs have six spiny legs and two antennae (like the adult roaches), but they lack wings, causing them to have a pill shape. Adults develop shiny wings and take on an almond shape. They also have a yellowish coloration, particularly on the back between the head and wings. The yellow coloration creates two distinct brown dots that may look like a figure eight under certain lighting conditions.

What do American roaches eat?

It is an understatement to say that American cockroaches are omnivorous. If these insects get into your home, you won't have any success if you attempt to starve them. Hiding food from them will only have a limited impact. Here are a few of the many things these roaches eat:

• Human food in kitchens and pantries
• Leftovers on plates
• Discarded food in the trash
• Decaying food
• Oil, grease, and grime on ovens
• Decaying goop on garbage disposals
• Decomposing organic matter in drains
• Dog and cat food
• Old and crusty dog and cat food
• Paper and cardboard
• Glue
• Natural fabrics
• Dead skin (dust)
• Dead insects
• Shed cockroach nymph skins
• Animal and human fecal matter

American cockroaches are robust insects that survive in harsh environments on many things that humans do not consider food. It is critical to keep this in mind as you attempt to deal with an infestation.

Are American cockroaches dangerous?

Yes. These insects tend to eat unsanitary things and are attracted to unsanitary environments. When they enter homes and businesses, they pose a significant threat to human health. According to the National Pest Management Association, cockroaches are reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria (including Salmonella and E. coli), six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens.

Cockroaches don't just spread diseases. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and other scientific bodies, cockroach sensitization is a significant risk factor for the development of asthma.

When are American cockroaches most active?

American cockroach activity increases during the summer. These roaches are impacted by heat and humidity, and outdoor conditions can drive cockroaches inside during the summer months. Roaches love moisture but will flee to higher ground during flooding or when groundwater levels rise. Roaches love heat, but hot days can dry their skins and cause dehydration. They enter structures more frequently when it is hot and dry outdoors. When temperatures drop, these warmth-loving insects will hide indoors.

What attracts American cockroaches?

When an American cockroach enters your yard, it will search for food, moisture, and harborage. It needs these for survival.

• Stacked stones and rock piles offer tight spaces to hide.
• Dirty trash containers lure cockroaches with their scent.
• A damp perimeter caused by a damaged or clogged gutter provides moisture.
• Dense vegetation is high in humidity and a perfect harborage for cockroaches.
• Leaf litter that is damp and humid underneath provides a shield of protection from the sun.
• A junk pile can have old books, pizza boxes, discarded clothing, and other things cockroaches eat.

A clutter-free and sanitized property is resistant to cockroaches. It is even more resistant if moisture and vegetation are controlled correctly.

Where do American cockroaches hide?

We mentioned a few hiding places above, but we get this question a lot, and it deserves a bit more attention. Cockroaches are thigmotactic, which means that they are motivated by touch stimuli. When a roach enters an open space, it feels uncomfortable because it can't easily navigate it. Thigmotaxis also drives cockroaches to squeeze into cracks and crevices. Cockroaches will take advantage of every opening you provide.

• A cockroach slips into a garage by sliding underneath a garage door or exterior door sweep. Once inside, it hides under garbage containers, stored boxes, and clutter.
• A cockroach will slip past old weatherstripping on exterior doors. If it directly enters a kitchen, it will hide under appliances, squeeze into the space on the sides of an oven, get into the cabinet under the sink, or hide in a gap underneath cabinetry.
• Cockroaches can squeeze past a gap in a window frame. If they find a path, they can get into a wall void. If they find a path out of a wall void and into a common area, these pests will come out of the wall and look for food during the night.

These are examples of where American cockroaches hide and how they find their way into your home.

Does seeing one American cockroach mean infestation?

Typically, yes. American cockroaches hide from view. If you see one, it is likely due to food scarcity. Since cockroaches can eat many things, food scarcity usually occurs once the population is large. Therefore, seeing one roach often means many more are out of view.

How do I get rid of American cockroaches?

If you’ve found signs of cockroach activity in your home, contact Marathon Pest Control. Serving The Woodlands and nearby communities, our local pest control company provides effective home pest control services that target these bugs and other pests.

Can I prevent an American cockroach problem?

You can address the conditions that attract cockroaches and seal up the structure so they can’t get inside. Keep in mind, though, that American cockroaches and other types of roaches may be carried indoors inside grocery bags, cardboard boxes, and secondhand items. At the first sign of a problem, call Marathon Pest Control for the best solution.