Cockroaches are a special kind of vermin that can find their way into our pantries and kitchens. These insects can carry bacteria and other contaminants and are problematic on many levels. Keeping them out of your house helps protect sanitation around your loved ones and family. Keeping a clean house is also important when it comes to reducing food and water sources for these insects. If you think you’re having a problem with cockroaches or any other pests, contact a Broken Arrow Exterminator.

Let’s take a good look at cockroaches and see how they work. Cockroaches use incomplete metamorphosis to develop. This means that eggs hatch and a nymph emerges. A nymph is basically a smaller, immature version of the adult cockroach. As it grows, it has to molt, or shed its exoskeleton. Because the rigid exoskeleton cannot expand indefinitely, the cockroach periodically sheds it and forms a new one as it develops. University of Kentucky Entomology explains cockroach development, nymph stages, egg cases, and German cockroach behavior.

Female cockroaches produce their eggs inside an egg case called an ootheca. Depending on the species, the ootheca may be deposited in a protected location or carried for a period of time. The German cockroach is unusual because the female typically carries the ootheca protruding from the end of her abdomen until shortly before the eggs hatch.

Young German cockroach nymphs tend to remain close to protected harborage areas, while larger nymphs and adults forage farther for food and water. Cockroaches can feed on a wide variety of organic materials. They may also feed on dead cockroaches, and cannibalism can occur under crowded or food-limited conditions.

Sanitation is important because food residue, grease, crumbs, water, and clutter can help support an infestation. However, a clean home can still develop a cockroach problem if insects are introduced and find suitable hiding places. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies cockroach body parts and droppings as asthma triggers and recommends limiting food, water, and hiding places as part of cockroach control.

If you think you’re having problems with these insects, the best move is to get a good Broken Arrow Exterminator to help you out. Using pesticides incorrectly or relying only on treatments that do not reach the harborage can leave an infestation active. Because of that, a good Broken Arrow Exterminator like TermMax Pest Control can really be the difference maker when it comes to getting rid of these insects.

So if you think you’re having a problem with cockroaches or any other insects, call TermMax Pest Control today.