Cockroaches
Facts & Identification
Most species of cockroaches are brown or black.
They can range from half an inch to over two inches in length.
Cockroaches are small, oval-shaped, and dark in color. Cockroaches have six legs and a long body. They can move quickly and can escape quickly if they feel threatened.
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What are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are commonly found in kitchens, offices, and areas where people eat or store food. They are among the most adaptable creatures on Earth. They may seem harmless, but their presence in homes, offices, and warehouses is a serious nuisance.
Cockroaches thrive in any environment, but they are typically found in dark, damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, or other places with high moisture levels. Once inside, they contaminate surfaces, water, and food resources, and spread potential diseases. Let’s discover some interesting cockroach facts and explore natural ways to get rid of them.
Physical Characteristics
Cockroaches are fossorial and have a simple body plan with a head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is large, flattened, and covered in eyes, antennae, and mandibles. Their abdomen has six segments and is divided into two parts: the first part is called the pre-abdomen, and the second is the post-abdomen. The pre-abdomen has six legs, and the post-abdomen has two legs.
Cockroach Lifespan
The lifespan of a cockroach varies depending on the species and the environment in which it lives. In general, cockroaches have a relatively short lifespan, with most species living for only a few months to a year. However, some species can live for up to two years.
Cockroach Lifecycle
Cockroaches are prolific breeders, with females capable of laying hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. The eggs are usually laid in groups and are protected by the female until they hatch. The time it takes for the eggs to hatch can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions.
What do Cockroaches Eat?
Cockroaches are omnivores, meaning they can consume both plant-based and animal-based materials. However, they prefer sweet, starchy, and greasy food items such as leftover human food scraps or pet food. They also feed on decaying organic matter and leaf litter.
Apart from these familiar food sources, cockroaches consume toothpaste, soap residue, book bindings, and glue residues on paper products such as envelopes or cardboard boxes. In some cases, where there is no other source of nutrition available to consume, cockroaches may resort to cannibalism.
The cockroach diet is quite flexible and varied. They can feed on almost anything, making it challenging to eradicate them from our homes or businesses. If you are also facing this problem, contact Acme for professional cockroach removal services in Toronto and Mississauga.
Cockroach Habitat
Cockroaches do not have a specific habitat; they can live indoors and outdoors. But they prefer dark and damp areas. Outdoors reside under rocks or logs, in leaves, or inside plant stems. However, when they enter homes through openings in walls or floors, they find solace in kitchens and pantries due to the easy availability of food and water.
Cockroaches’ adaptability allows them to thrive practically anywhere, with access to warmth and moisture sources and an abundance of food supply, making it hard for homeowners to get rid of these pests altogether!
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Common Types of Cockroaches
The following cockroach species are found in Ontario:
German Cockroaches
German Cockroaches are almost brown in color. They have a flattened, oval-shaped body. The head of a German cockroach is small and compact, with two large compound eyes on either side. It also has two antennae for sensing the environment and detecting food sources. The abdomen of a German cockroach contains all its principal organs, including the digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems.
Wood Cockroaches
Wood cockroaches are insects mostly found in wooded areas or around decaying trees. They have distinct appearances, making them easily identifiable. Adult wood cockroaches typically range in size from 1/2 to 7/8-inch-long and are light brown with yellowish markings on their wings. They also have long antennae, which they use for sensory purposes.
Smoky Brown Cockroaches
Smoky brown cockroaches are a common household pest that can be found living in warm and humid environments. These cockroaches have a distinctive smoky-brown color and are known for their rapid movements. They tend to fly toward light sources, making it easy for homeowners to spot them at night. They have been known to eat plants, garbage, feces, dead animals, and even other smaller insects.
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are among the most common pests found in homes and buildings. These insects can easily spread from one location to another, making them a nuisance for homeowners and business owners. They have a reddish-brown color with a yellowish margin on their pronotum. They are omnivorous and will feed on a variety of foods, including garbage, decaying organic matter, and other insects.
Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches, also known as water bugs or black beetles, are common household pests that thrive in warm and humid environments. These insects prefer to live in dark, damp areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, and drains. They are usually found near water sources like leaky pipes or standing water. They are known for their shiny, black, or dark brown color.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches are a common species of cockroach found in many households. These small pests typically range from ½ to ⅝ inches long, making them easy to miss unless you’re actively looking for them. They have a light brown coloration on their bodies with distinct, dark brown bands across their wings and abdomen. One of the most notable features of brown-banded cockroaches is that they have fully developed wings and can fly short distances if necessary.
Signs of Cockroach Infestation
- Unusual smell: An established cockroach infestation produces a lingering and unpleasant odor that contaminates items they come into contact with.
- Cockroach droppings: If little water is available, cockroaches will produce brown/black cylindrical droppings. 2mm long.
- Smear marks: If water is abundant, cockroaches will produce brown and irregularly shaped smear marks. Check for marks on horizontal surfaces and at wall-floor junctions where cockroaches scuttle along.
- Shed skins: Cockroaches shed ‘cast nymphal’ skins 5-8 times as they mature to adults. These shed skins are typically found near the areas where the cockroaches are sheltering.
Diseases Spread by Cockroaches
Cockroaches carry a range of harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Some of the diseases associated with cockroaches include:
- Salmonellosis: Cockroaches can spread Salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- E coli infection: Cockroaches can spread E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
- Dysentery: Cockroaches can carry the bacteria that cause dysentery, a severe form of diarrhea that can be life-threatening.
- Asthma and allergies: Cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to their droppings and saliva.
Cockroach Prevention Tips
To protect yourself from the potential health risks associated with cockroaches, there are several things you can do:
- Keep your home clean: Cockroaches are attracted to food and water, so it’s essential to keep your home clean and dry. Be sure to clean up spills and crumbs right away, and store food in sealed containers.
- Seal cracks and gaps: Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and gaps, so seal them to prevent entry.
- Use insecticides: If you have a severe infestation, use insecticides to get rid of cockroaches. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and use only as directed.
Severe Cockroach Infestation? Call a Professional
Do you see any cockroaches in your home? If so, you may be experiencing an infestation and require professional treatment. Consider hiring ACME Pest Solutions for the pest control services in the GTA. We can use more powerful insecticides and take other measures to eliminate the infestation.
Areas We Serve:
We offer cockroaches removal services in the following areas:
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Yes, cockroaches can live without food. They can thrive on toothpaste, soap, soda, and may also resort to cannibalism.
Seal all cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and walls with silicone caulk. Keep firewood piles away from the sides of buildings. Clean gutters regularly to prevent debris buildup. Remove any standing water around your home.
They can contaminate food and surfaces with their droppings and saliva and carry pathogens on their bodies. When cockroaches come into contact with food or surfaces, they can transfer these pathogens, which can then infect humans. Cockroaches are also known to spread disease through their feces.