COCKROACH GUIDE
About Cockroaches
Picture a cockroach problem and you probably picture hundreds of bugs scattering across a dirty floor when the light comes on. That happens in extreme cases, but cockroaches also move quietly into well kept, tidy homes. Here is how they grow, where they live, which ones you will find in the Pacific Northwest and what they leave behind.
WHY THEY GO UNNOTICED
Cockroaches in the Home
Cockroaches live throughout the world, and most species are good for the environment, with real roles in the ecosystem. The trouble starts when they make their way into homes and buildings, bringing disease, parasites and allergens with them.
They are nocturnal, so they often go undetected, and they are extremely resilient. Together, those two traits make them difficult to get rid of once they settle in.
EGG, NYMPH, ADULT
The Cockroach Life Cycle
Every cockroach goes through three stages: egg, nymph and adult. Knowing them explains why a problem can keep going after the first few are gone, since eggs in a casing can hatch 1 to 3 months after they are laid.
Egg
Females lay their eggs in a bean-shaped casing called an ootheca, which holds 16 to 40 eggs. The eggs hatch after 1 to 3 months.
Nymph
Tiny nymphs emerge from the casing. They keep growing and shed their skin as they go, until they reach the adult stage.
Adult
Once they are adults, some species develop wings and are able to fly.
WHERE THEY LIVE
Cockroach Habitat
Cockroach colonies build their nests in warm, moist areas with food nearby. They feed on such a wide variety of food and organic material that there are few places they will not go.
Common cockroaches gather in basements, bathrooms, drains and kitchens. Cabinets, furniture, crevices in walls and the space under door frames are also likely hiding places. Limiting their access to nesting and breeding sites is a big part of keeping them under control.
FOUR TO KNOW
Cockroach Species in the Pacific Northwest
There are about 4,500 species of cockroaches worldwide. Of those, 77 live in the U.S., and only four are common in the Pacific Northwest.
The American Cockroach
The largest cockroach homeowners battle, averaging 1.5 inches and growing up to 2 inches long. It is reddish brown and sometimes called a water bug or palmetto bug. Males and females both have wings and can fly.
The Oriental Cockroach
Also known as the waterbug or black beetle cockroach, it ranges from dark brownish red to black. One of the larger cockroaches, it grows up to 1 inch long. Females are larger than males. Males have short wings, and females have only tiny wing-like pads.
The Brown Banded Cockroach
Named for the two light brown or tan bands across its dark brown body, it averages half an inch. Males are longer and thinner, with wings longer than their bodies. Female wings reach three quarters of the way down, too short to fly. Its small size and coloring work as camouflage, which makes it hard to control.
The German Cockroach
The most common cockroach in homes. Adults are light brown with two darker stripes along the back, and darker nymphs carry the same stripes. They run half an inch to five eighths of an inch. Males are smaller and more slender, females larger and rounder. A female can lay up to 40 eggs per ootheca, which is how the numbers multiply.
PEST THREAT LEVEL 8/10
The Health Risks of Cockroaches
Cockroaches are scavengers that feed on human and animal excrement and spoiled food. When they move into human spaces and onto food, they deposit bacteria and pathogens along the way.
As a result, cockroaches may carry diarrhea, salmonella, typhoid fever and other diseases, and they spread parasites such as giardia. Cockroach allergy can also trigger asthma attacks and allergy symptoms.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Signs Cockroaches Are Present
Because cockroaches are nocturnal, an infestation is hard to spot directly. These five signs are easier to find.
Droppings
A cockroach eats constantly and leaves plenty behind. The droppings are small and often look like pepper, so they are easy to miss if you are not looking.
Smell
Cockroaches communicate with pheromones, which they use to attract mates and mark nesting sites, and they excrete them in their droppings. Large numbers can leave a musty odor.
Eggs
Hatched egg casings scattered around breeding areas are another sign that cockroaches have settled in.
Damage
Leather, book bindings and paper products are part of the cockroach diet. When other food runs short or the infestation is large, you may notice damage to these materials.
Live Cockroaches
They generally stay out of sight, so seeing one is a sure sign. Where you see one, many more are hiding.
HYGIENE AND ACCESS
Cockroach Prevention
The main defenses are cleanliness, avoiding clutter and limiting access. Cockroaches need food, damp and a way in, so take those away:
- Clean surfaces to remove food, organic matter and excess dampness.
- Store food in airtight containers, pet food included.
- Clean dirty dishes and keep trash in tightly covered bins.
- Inspect pipes, sinks and plumbing, and repair leaks and drips.
- Fully seal windows and doors, and fill any crack in the foundation, walls and floors.
If cockroaches are already inside, traps and bait can help, but they are resilient pests. Our cockroach control service is the next step when they keep showing up.
KEEP READING
More on Cockroaches
Cockroach Control
How our service works, what it includes and why German cockroaches take four visits. Read more.
German Cockroach Removal
How to spot German cockroaches, where they hide and why they are so hard to clear. Read more.
American vs. German Cockroaches
The side by side: size, color, where each one lives and how it gets in. Read more.
Seeing Cockroaches at Home
Our local team will pinpoint existing and potential concerns and put together a cockroach control plan for your home. Book a visit, or call and we will walk you through the service. Every rate is published, so you can see what it costs first.