Roaches in New Orleans and the Gulf South
Crematogaster spp.
Based on fossil evidence, cockroaches have been know to have been present on earth for over 350 million years. There are approximately 3,500 species world wide and about 70 species in the United States. Their sizes vary considerably: some species may be several inches long.
In the Greater New Orleans and Mississippi Gulf South our largest species is the American Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana). Also know as the water bug, flying water bug, and, in some areas of the US the Palmetto bug.
This pest grows to approximately 1 ½ inches long. For anyone who has been attached by one of these erratic flying creatures they may seem much larger.
People refer to this cockroach as the large outdoor roach, however the American Cockroach is just as happy to inhabit your home as it is outdoors. If you are seeing these creatures in you house on a regular basis they may be infesting your structure.
American roaches have been known to eat thru clothing where a food stain may have been undetected. They will also eat book bindings, and decaying organic matter as well as most anything we will eat.
Control methods consist of treating all potential harborage areas as well as thorough perimeter treatments.
The German Cockroach
(Battella germanica) is pale to medium brown, approximately ½ inch long with two dark stripes on the back of its head (anterior, dorsal portion [pronotum])
The German Cockroach though not as intimidating as the American cockroach is the pest control industries most formidable opponent. This roach is usually spotted in your home when you make a late night trip to the kitchen or bathroom. When you turn on the lights, to see small roaches who seem to disappear into cracks in counter tops. All Restaurateurs are familiar with this pest. German roaches get into your environment thru normal human activities and are transported from place to place by; deliveries, items bought in stores, take out food orders, the purchase of used furniture or appliances, these are among a few of the potential entry opportunities.
Sanitation conditions are sometimes not the reason for an infestation. In a seemingly clean environment the German cockroach will prosper. In an environment with sanitation issues production of roaches will however increase.
The German cockroach is the most successful roach and large populations can come about seemingly overnight. This is because of the potential for each adult female roach to produce approximately 8 egg capsules containing 48 babies (nymphs) in her lifetime, (about one year). A nymph has the potential to start producing in as little as 40 days. This potential is astronomical. Of course ideal conditions are needed and the Gulf South region is the ideal climate.
Deluxe utilizes a scientific approach to control all insect-pests. This includes sanitation recommendations, exclusion, and application of EPA registered baits, spays and dust.
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
Description: Adults are brown to reddish brown with a pale brown or Wings cover the abdomen. They are 1 3/8 to 2 1/8 inches long. Early nymphal stages are grayish-brown. Later stages are reddish-brown. Egg cases (ootheca) are dark reddish-brown to brownish-black and about 3/8 inches. There usually are eight eggs on each side. The droppings of American cockroaches can be confused with mouse droppings but are shorter with square (rather than pointed) tips.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: Indoors, the are found in warm areas with high humidity – boiler rooms, basements, sewers or around drains and pipes. They are more common in large commercial buildings, infesting food storage and preparation areas. Outdoors, they are found in moist shady areas in yards, hollow trees, woodpiles and mulch. They are frequent inhabitants of storm drains and sewers.
Asian Cockroach
Blattella asahinai
Description: These roaches are similar in size, shape and color to German cockroaches. Adults are brown to tan, 5/8 inch long and 3/1 inch wide. Two dark bands run lengthwise on the head shield (pronotum). Female Asian cockroaches have wings that extend to cover the entire length of the ootheca. Female German cockroaches have wings that extend to cover half the length of the ootheca. There are 15-20 eggs on each side. They are good fliers and live outdoors but can enter structures.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: Outdoors, they are found in grassy areas, mulch and leaf litter and in shady areas of gardens, pastures, dense ground cover, mulched ornamentals, etc. They become active at dusk. Adults are very active in the grass and mulch, climbing to the tips of grass and leaves to take flight. They are attracted to lights in structures and can become established indoors if there is an opening near a light source in the early evening hours.
Brown-banded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa
Description: Adults are brown to tan and 1/2 inch long. The head shield (pronotum) has light borders and a black bell-shaped pattern. They are called brown-banded cockroaches because of two light, sideways bands on the abdomen. Females are darker the males. Wings of the male cover the abdomen. Wings of the female cover 2/3 of the abdomen. Young nymphs are brown to balk with two light brands. Older nymphs have the bell-shaped pattern on the pronotum. The egg case is light brown and 1/4 inch long, width. There usually are nine eggs on each side.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: The brown-banded cockroach prefers high pantries such as cupboards, pantries and shelves in closets, as well as warm areas like those around motors and stoves. These roaches do no have a high moisture requirement like German cockroaches and may be found in rooms with no water source.
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
Description: Adult are brown and about 5/8 inch long. Two dark bands run lengthwise on the head shield (pronotum). The wings cover the abdomen. They live indoors and do not fly. Small nymphs are dark brown to black with a pale area in the center. Large nymphs have dark streak running lengthwise to the abdomen. The egg case is yellowish-brown with 15-20 eggs per side. It remains attached to the female cockroach until nymphs hatch.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: They prefer warm, moist areas with nearby food. They are found in bathrooms, kitchens, crevices near food and water, electrical equipment and paper and wood materials (especially cardboard). When inspecting food-service areas, pay close attention to dishwashing machines and ceiling tiles above them, as well as crack or crevices near a food source. Most commonly, they are introduced into buildings in food, paper products or secondhand appliances and furniture. They are almost never found outside.
Oriental Cockroach
Blatta orientalis
Description: Adults are dark brown to shiny black. Males are about 1 inch long. Females are about 1 1/4 inches long. The head shield (pronotum) is black and shiny. The wings of the male cover 2/3 of the abdomen. The wings of the female are reduced to small pads. Early nymphs are shiny reddish-brown. Later stages are dark reddish-brown to black. The egg case is reddish-brown to black and about 3/8 inch long. It is 1 1/2 times as long as wide. There usually are eight per side.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: They prefer cooler temperatures than other cockroaches. They like damp, cool areas (68-84 degrees F) – wall and porch voids sewers, drains, basements, around pipes, in crawl spaces, under stones and in leaf litter.
Smoky Brown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa
Description: Adults are mahogany brown, uniform in color and shiny. They are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. The wings cover the abdomen. Early nymphs are dark brown to black with a pale white stripe on the thorax. Later stages are reddish-brown and have darker margins. The egg cases are dark brown to black and about 3/8 inch long. Its length is more than twice is width There are 10-14 eggs per side.
Life Cycles: egg » nymph » adult
Where to Look: They primarily are an outdoor species and are common in the South. They lose moisture more easily than other cockroaches. They favor warm, humid areas that are not exposed to air currents. They are found in mulch, tree holes, sewers, eaves/soffits, attics and voids in walls and under sidewalks and concrete pads where there is a moisture buildup. They usually enter buildings at night through crack and are attracted to light.