Cockroaches

Cockroaches are nocturnal, omnivorous, aggregate, pre-social, adaptable,

They can survive on very little water, and because of their short and highly reproductive life cycle, they have developed resistance to many pesticides. In Missouri, residential and commercial structures are plagued by about five species of cockroaches. The American cockroach, brown-banded cockroach, Oriental cockroach, German cockroach and the smokey brown cockroach. The German roach will infest any and all structures, particularly food-handling establishments. The brown-banded roach tends to be more concentrated in bakeries, hospitals and nursing homes. The Oriental roach (water bug) is found in areas of heavy moisture, like basements, sewer drains and mulch beds. The American roach, the largest of the cockroach species, and the smokey brown roach are primarily outdoor pests.

Cockroaches are nocturnal, omnivorous, aggregate, pre-social, adaptable,

They can survive on very little water, and because of their short and highly reproductive life cycle, they have developed resistance to many pesticides. In Missouri, residential and commercial structures are plagued by about five species of cockroaches. The American cockroach, brown-banded cockroach, Oriental cockroach, German cockroach and the smokey brown cockroach. The German roach will infest any and all structures, particularly food-handling establishments. The brown-banded roach tends to be more concentrated in bakeries, hospitals and nursing homes. The Oriental roach (water bug) is found in areas of heavy moisture, like basements, sewer drains and mulch beds. The American roach, the largest of the cockroach species, and the smokey brown roach are primarily outdoor pests.

On average, the lifespan of a cockroach is anywhere from six months to a full year and a half. 

The four elements necessary for their survival are water, food, shelter and warmth. Cockroaches do not do well in cold temperatures, they prefer a comfortable 68 to 86 degrees. Female cockroaches carry their eggs in a purse-like appendage called an ootheca and can be deposited (hidden) or carried with them until they hatch. A female can produce between five and eight egg sacs in her lifetime, each carrying up 40 eggs each. A female cockroach can produce from 240 to as many as 300 to 400 total offspring in her lifetime. They have two sets of antennae, one pair on their head the other pair (called cerci) is located at the base of the abdomen. They are used to detect wind currents, like the rush of air that precedes being hit with a shoe. Roaches do not venture far from harborage areas, being “thigmotropic” they like to be touched when hiding. They can eat almost anything and do not have a defined social structure, which means they can live independently of a central colony. A roach survives on nutrients extracted from the moisture found in the food matter consumed. Digestion is limited to this process. The rest of the material consumed is excreted as the insect moves from place to place. Food matter passes through the insect, remaining mostly undigested. In short, whatever bacteria were on the food source before consumption are now being relocated onto every surface that roach walks on.

On average, the lifespan of a cockroach is anywhere from six months to a full year and a half. 

The four elements necessary for their survival are water, food, shelter and warmth. Cockroaches do not do well in cold temperatures, they prefer a comfortable 68 to 86 degrees. Female cockroaches carry their eggs in a purse-like appendage called an ootheca and can be deposited (hidden) or carried with them until they hatch. A female can produce between five and eight egg sacs in her lifetime, each carrying up 40 eggs each. A female cockroach can produce from 240 to as many as 300 to 400 total offspring in her lifetime. They have two sets of antennae, one pair on their head the other pair (called cerci) is located at the base of the abdomen. They are used to detect wind currents, like the rush of air that precedes being hit with a shoe. Roaches do not venture far from harborage areas, being “thigmotropic” they like to be touched when hiding. They can eat almost anything and do not have a defined social structure, which means they can live independently of a central colony. A roach survives on nutrients extracted from the moisture found in the food matter consumed. Digestion is limited to this process. The rest of the material consumed is excreted as the insect moves from place to place. Food matter passes through the insect, remaining mostly undigested. In short, whatever bacteria were on the food source before consumption are now being relocated onto every surface that roach walks on.

In a commercial kitchen cockroaches can hide

They can hide in food preparation areas, table legs, deep fryers, stoves, food storage & sanitation areas, sinks, pipes, conduits, appliances and electric outlets. In a residential structure, cockroaches can be found in places like picture frames, under baseboards, wall voids, light fixtures, electronics, basements, sewer drains, cabinets, many crevices in the kitchen area and the exterior perimeter of the building.

In a commercial kitchen cockroaches can hide

They can hide in food preparation areas, table legs, deep fryers, stoves, food storage & sanitation areas, sinks, pipes, conduits, appliances and electric outlets. In a residential structure, cockroaches can be found in places like picture frames, under baseboards, wall voids, light fixtures, electronics, basements, sewer drains, cabinets, many crevices in the kitchen area and the exterior perimeter of the building.