Cockroaches and Their Control

1
Cockroaches and Their Control

• Dr. Richard M. Houseman
• Department of Entomology
• University of Missouri

2
(No Transcript)
3
Cockroaches

• Order Blattaria
• 3,500 species worldwide
• 55 species in U.S.
• Incomplete metamorphosis
• Food Scavengers
• Preferences vary by species
• Warm, moist habitats
• Domestic/peridomestic
• High reproductive capacity
• Oviparous, ovoviviparous, viviparous

4
Life History

• Life Stages
• Eggs
• Normally produced in egg cases called ootheca
• Hatch within 30-60 days, depending on species
• Some species lay no eggs, or they hatch
  internally
• Nymphs
• Most active feeding stage for molting and growth
• Live for 30-350 days, depending on species
• Adults
• Intermittent feeding and reproduction
• Live for 2-52 weeks, depending on species

5
Cockroach Biology

• Habitats
• Active at night
• Prefer warm, moist environments
• Near food and water sources
• Protected harborages are very important
• Domestic species occur indoors
• Peak feeding just after dark and just before dawn
• Peridomestic populations not limited to indoors
• Peak feeding after dark until middle of night

6
Cockroach Biology

• Feeding and Nutrition
• Cockroaches are not proudjust hungry
• Chewing mouthparts
• Feed on a wide variety of things--starches,
  greases, sweets, decaying organic matter, feces,
  garbage, etc.
• Contamination
• Regurgitation and defecation on food
• Pheromone secretions (characteristic odor)

7
Cockroach Biology

• Reproduction
• Chemicals and sound used to attract mates
• Female attracts male
• Antennal contact is essential
• Primarily on cuticle and antennae
• Copulation
• May last for hours
• Package of sperm deposited
• Males of some species seal vaginal opening

8
Missouri Cockroaches

• 5 Common Species
• German
• Brown-banded
• American
• Oriental
• Pennsylvania wood
• Domestic and peridomestic
• Can be identified by the egg case or adult stage

9
Domestic Cockroaches

• German cockroach
• (Blatella germanica)
• ½ inch grayish-tan two stripes pronotum
• ootheca slender, 1/3, light brown
• Ootheca carried for 3weeks
• 1 day 30-40 eggs 4-8 ootheca
• Nymphs stage lasts 35-60 days
• Adults live 4-6 months
• Variety of foodstuffs
• Mostly kitchens and bathrooms

10
Domestic Cockroaches

• Brown-banded cockroach
• (Supella longipalpa)
• ½ inch red-brown light stripe across abdomen
• ootheca small, 1/4, barrel-shaped
• Attached ootheca
• 40-60 days 18 eggs 12-16 ootheca
• Nymph stage 3-5 months
• Adults 4-8 months
• Variety of foodstuffs
• Throughout homes
• Appliances, ceilings, walls

11
Peridomestic Cockroaches

• American cockroach
• (Periplaneta americana)
• 1½ inch red-brown yellow margin of pronotum
• ootheca large, gt1/3, barrel-shaped
• Attached ootheca
• 30-50 days 14 eggs 16-20 ootheca
• Nymph stage 6-20 months
• Adults 12-14 months
• Decaying organic matter
• Moist, shady areas outdoors
• Drains, basements, boiler rooms inside

12
Peridomestic Cockroaches

• Oriental cockroach
• (Blatta orientalis)
• 1 inch dark brown shiny no distinctive
  markings
• ootheca large, gt1/3, barrel-shaped
• Attached ootheca
• 40-60 days 16 eggs 6-8 ootheca
• Nymph stage 6-20 months
• Adults 12-14 months
• Decaying organic matter, filth
• Moist, shady areas outdoors
• Sewers, drains, basements inside

13
Peridomestic Cockroaches

• Wood cockroaches
• (Parcoblatta pennsylvanica)
• 2/3 inch dark brown slender yellow margin on
  pronotum, wings
• Ootheca slender, curved, gt1/3
• Ootheca deposited under bark
• Rarely breed indoors
• Nuisance pests in May, June
• Decaying organic matter
• Incidental invaders
• Infested firewood often the cause

14
Cockroach Control

• Cultural
• Sanitation is key
• Chemical (gt200 products)
• Baits
• Most important part of roach control
• Should be placed near harborage
• Nymphs most susceptible
• Adult females less susceptible
• Dont place in treated areas
• Can be transmitted via feces

15
Cockroach Control

• Chemical
• Liquids
• Crack and crevice spray
• Directed at harborage
• Helpful to get females
• Quick knockdown
• Space sprays
• Gives some residual activity
• Shouldnt use this during baiting program