KNOWING THE ENEMY: Learn all about roaches and their characteristics
Of course you have already seen a cockroach since it’s very common in
any household. But to give a review, cockroaches are winged insects
which are shaped like elongated, flat almonds, and are either black or
brown in color. Roaches have long antennae over a head that generally
points downward. Female roaches are wingless, while the males are those
that can fly. Around 3,500 species of roaches are present today, but
only a few are considered house pests.
Cockroaches generally live in warm, dark, humid places in tropical to
subtropical climates. They usually survive in a diet of combined plant
and animal matter, as well as clothing, paper, books, bedbugs, wood and
smaller insects.
There are different types of cockroach, and for sure you have already
encountered some of them. Here are four of the common roaches that you
usually see, but don’t know exactly what their names are:
- German cockroach. German roaches are common in New York
City. It is light brown in color and has two stripes on the body,
thus setting it apart from the rest of the other roaches. It is
smaller than other common roaches, being only one-half inches long.
German roaches are often found in warm humid dwellings such as
subways, wet dwellings, cellars, waterways and under the bridge.
- American cockroach. American roaches meanwhile live in
the tropical areas of America. This pest can grow up to two inches
and fly high in great distances. Like German roaches, American
roaches live in dark, moist areas and is reddish brown color. The
average American roach is reddish in color and lives to up to 1.5
years.
- Oriental cockroach is a large species of cockroach,
measuring about 1 in (2.5 cm) in length at maturity. It is dark
brown to black in colour and has a glossy body. The female Oriental
cockroach has a somewhat different appearance to the male, appearing
to be wingless at casual glance but has two very short and useless
wings just below its head.
- Australian Cockroaches are not native to Australia but
originated from Asia. They became totally adapted to the domestic
life. They are pest in households. This species of cockroach, and
the German Cockroach, have given the Cockroach group the bad name.
They transmitted diseases when they occur in house and restaurants.
Roaches are usually dreaded because they are annoying and extremely
dirty, not to mention that they carry diseases, bacteria, allergies and
higher potential risk for asthma. Because of these reasons, cockroaches
have become the most annoying pests of all time.
When can you usually spot a roach? Cockroaches are mostly nocturnal, and
are out of sight for most of the day. They don’t like the light,
especially sunshine, so you won’t find them anywhere during daytime. As
roaches live in the cold and dark, you can spot them under sink
cabinets, under kitchen cabinets, under the counter tops and laundry
areas. |
