Cocroaches

The German cockroach is the most common species in British Columbia, can be found wherever moisture, food and shelter are available. Cockroaches (eggs included), are “brought in” usually by man’s belongings, luggage, boxes or packages. Cockroaches have three stages in their life cycle: eggs, nymph and adult. Adults are ½ inch- 5/8inch long light to medium brown with two dark distinctive stripes behind the head.

The young cockroaches, or nymphs, are wingless, and usually only a few millimeters long ; they are white on hatching but darken within a few hours. They grow in stages by repeatedly shedding the cuticle or skin. They are fully grown after several months to more than a year, depending on the species. Females produce one egg capsule every 3-4 weeks. Each capsule contains 25-45 eggs. The female will carry the egg capsule with her until it is ready to hatch. The young (nymphs) will be able to breed in as little as 36 days. Adult German roaches can live up to one year They are mostly active at night; in the daytime they hide in cracks and crevices in walls, door frames and furniture, and in secure places in bathrooms, cupboards other electric devices, drains and sewer systems, If they are seen during the day, it is usually because their hiding places are overcrowded due to a large population or there is a shortage of food and water supply. Any crack or crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime harborage, and they spend about 75% of their time in such harborages.

Infestations are generally found in kitchens and bathrooms, but can inhabit other areas if there is a heavy population. Cockroaches eat a great variety of food, including all food used for human consumption . They prefer starchy and sugary materials. They sip milk and nibble at cheese, meats, pastry, grain products, sugar and sweet chocolate. They also feed on cardboard, book bindings, ceiling boards containing starch, the sized inner lining of shoe soles, their own cast-off skins, dead and crippled cockroaches, fresh and dried blood, excrement, sputum, and the fingernails and toenails of babies and sleeping or sick persons.

Cockroaches are able to carry pathogenic bacteria onto food which is responsible for food poisoning outbreaks because of, there movement through washrooms, refuse heaps and sewers. Another risk to human health arises from the ability of cockroach egg shells, molting skin and fras to cause allergic reactions or asthma that can be very serious for some people. Contact us for professional management options.

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