Image: A pale-bordered field cockroach, Pseudomops sp. (Blattaria: Blatellidae). Photo by Drees

Description:

American Cockroaches are one of the largest species of roaches in Texas ranging in size from 1½  to 2 inches in length. They are reddish-brown with a distinctive yellowish pattern on their head. These types of roaches are also capable of flight, though they typically prefer to run or climb. 

Lifecycle:

Females carry and drop ¼ inch egg capsules containing around 15 unhatched nymphs. These Nymphs will become full grown adults in around 1½  years and be able to lay eggs of their own at that time. Adults can go on to live an additional year or more in ideal conditions. 

Habitat:

American Roaches generally prefer to live outside where they can easily find decaying material, wood piles, and other damp and dark locations to make their habitats. 

They are primarily nocturnal and will often run when lights are turned on. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day, preferring dark moist sites in sewers, attics, crawl spaces, and under decking. American Roaches are known to eat a variety of materials including proteins (meats and grease) and sweets (sugars, breads, and glue on book bindings or wallpaper). 

Risk and Prevention:

American Cockroaches aren’t known to bite pets or people and are also not known to directly carry any disease. However, their saliva and droppings can contaminate food and surfaces, which can trigger allergies that potentially affect breathing.

Keep your home sanitized and free of food debris (including pet foods), as this can attract roaches. Seal up any cracks or crevices around doors, windows, and pipes (under the sinks) to prevent them from entering. Keep food stored in airtight containers and fix any leaky pipes or faucets to reduce moisture, as roaches are attracted to water sources.

Treatment:

By sealing up entry points, you will eliminate most American Roach issues. The use of gel baits are an effective measure to control any issues that you’re encountering inside the home. There are also several liquid materials that can be applied around cracks and crevices of the home, including the plumbing areas, that will improve the treatment effectiveness. Lastly, for continued prevention, granules can be applied around the exterior of the home to help treat and repel these insects further from the structure. 

Need professional help? Give BBK Pest Control a call and let us get the issue under control.