Kitchens are a place for family. Many of us gather in the kitchen area for meals on a daily basis. It’s a time for conversation and relaxation. These meals are memories in the making. But the kitchen can also be a battle ground. Pantry pest, roaches and other insects can invade our kitchens and pantry areas. These bugs can take the joy out of a home-cooked meal or a family gathering. Cockroaches are at the top of the list when it comes to pantry pests and other insects that attack our homes and our kitchens. We need to be vigilant and make sure that they cannot get a foothold in our homes. Let’s talk about cockroaches, their habits and how to get rid of them.
THE TROPICAL COCKROACH
Cockroaches are a tropical insect. These insects prefer warm weather places. They originated around the equator and areas with tropical climates. But through the globalization of the world, these bugs have found their way into ships, shipping containers and other transports that have moved them all around the world. Cockroaches are found on six of the seven continents. These insects depend on humanity provide them with food, sustenance and harborage. What is important that we maintain a pest free environment for us to live in in order to keep your family healthy and safe. Your Tulsa pest control company will have more details.
COCKROACHES AND DISEASE
Cockroaches carry many diseases. Most of them feed on refuse, dung and other bacteria filled waste. They crawl on this disgusting waste and get bacteria and viruses all over their feet. So when a cockroach finds harborage in your home, and then into your pantry, it can often bring these diseases with them. And if they’re consuming your food, cockroaches can be contaminating your food before you eat it. Contact your Broken Arrow pest control company for more details.
Scientist have also found that asthma can be caused or aggravated by the presence of cockroaches. Cockroaches, like many other insects, have to molt from time to time. This is the process of removing their exoskeletons so that a new younger exoskeleton can emerge. In the process, there are many dust particles that come from this process. Also dust, pieces of broken limbs and other things can add to this. Because of this is very important to maintain the health of your family by removing cockroaches from your home.
REPRODUCTION AND LIFECYCLE
Cockroaches are very good at reproducing. It only takes one or two cockroaches in your house to start reproducing, and then, very quickly, they will become a huge infestation. The average German cockroach can lay eggs and bring them to full adulthood in about 30 days. The female German cockroach can have many different broods in her lifetime. Each ootheca, or egg sac, can have up to 40 to 50 eggs in them. Because of this, these insects multiply extremely rapidly. Cockroaches are not above cannibalism. In cases of extreme infestation, overpopulation can occur. Food sources may not be enough to sustain that high number of population. In this case, cockroaches will turn on each other and consume one another. This helps keep the species alive.
Cockroaches are born as nymphs. They hatch from the egg as a smaller version of their adult selves. These nymphs will feed and continue to grow. As they grow, they will outgrow the exoskeleton that they’re currently in. They will shed that exoskeleton, revealing a new exoskeleton that can grow further. Cockroaches will do this multiple times in their lifespan until they reach sexual adulthood. At this time, they will mate and lay eggs. Most cockroaches will lay their eggs in their ootheca and hide it in a crack or crevice. They will leave the eggs to fend for themselves. But the German cockroach is the exception. It will carry the ootheca on the female’s back until they hatch. Your Broken Arrow exterminator can help.
TYPES OF COCKROACHES
The German cockroach is the most common cockroach that is found in homes. It is a reddish brown in color, with two stripes on the back of its pronotum, or the plate of its exoskeleton found behind its head. As stated before, these insects are fast breeders and difficult to eliminate. They prefer to be at or close to ground level, and scurry away when frightened. The brown banded cockroach has two light yellow or brown bands that surround its abdomen. These insects prefer to be higher off of the ground and are much likelier to try to fly. While most cockroaches have wings, they are terrible flyers. They more glide to the ground and do so as little as possible. Because they’re so bad at flying, they will become easy prey for a bird or other predator when they’re attempting to fly.
The American cockroach is the largest cockroach commonly found in the Oklahoma area. It’s about 2 1/2 inches long and lives mostly outdoors. It will find its way in through plumbing or a crack in the foundation. It’s important to make sure that your plumbing is always secure and intact. Broken pipes or leaky faucets can attract these insects. The oriental cockroaches much the same as the American. It is smaller in size and more black. But it also prefers to stay outdoors and in drainage ditches. Plumbing is usually an issue when finding these cockroaches inside your home.
DEALING WITH COCKROACHES
Sanitation is one of the most important parts of keeping cockroaches out of your home. The number one reason why they can find their way into our homes is to find food. If they find it they will set up shop find a place to stay and start reproducing very quickly. They are very difficult to remove from your home. If you’re having a problem with cockroaches, it’s time to call your Tulsa exterminator. Here at TermMax Pest Control, we are the best in the business when it comes to dealing with pantry pests, cockroaches and any other insects that you might be dealing with. We service the greater Tulsa area including Bixby, Jenks, Prattville, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Coweta, Owasso, Turley, Claremore, Catoosa and much more. Call today for a free estimate. We’re here to help!
