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COCKROACHES
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COCKROACHES



Cockroaches are insects from the Blattodea order. They have existed on this planet for 320 million years, predating dinosaurs. They are approximately 4,000 species, with only 50 of them regarded as pests. In the wild, cockroaches play an important role in recycling decaying matter. The pest species originated from tropical climates and have been distributed worldwide by international trade and travel. They now exist in all major cities. The most common species in Myanmar are the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) and the German cockroach (Blattella Germanica).

Cockroaches are omnivorous feeders and will gather together in suitable living conditions. They are common in commercial kitchens and other areas that handle food. Cockroaches are usually nocturnal and, especially in the case of German cockroaches, share a common shelter. As a result of living and moving in dirty and unhygienic areas such as drains and waste bins, cockroaches often become contaminated with a wide range of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. When contaminated cockroaches later enter kitchens, they transfer these bacteria onto surfaces and food, causing gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other illnesses and diseases. Cockroaches are therefore an obvious public health concern and need to be effectively controlled.

AMERICAN COCKROACH (Periplaneta Americana)

APPEARANCE:

Adult American cockroaches are large, active insects, measuring about 25 – 40mm long. They are a rich reddish-brown colour overall, but with a yellowish rim to the shield behind their head. They have large wings and are fully capable of flight.

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR: 

The female will lay up to around 15 oothecae (egg cases) in her life, with each ootheca containing 12 – 20 young. Oothecae are usually deposited in dark crevices, and will hatch about 6 weeks after being laid. The young nymphs are a similar colour to the adults, but are initially only about 2mm in length. They take 5 to 10 months to reach adulthood, and will moult several times over this period. Once they have reached the adult stage, they can live for up to a year or more.

During the day American cockroaches are usually well hidden in dark voids such as drains and wall cavities. However, at night, they are often seen scuttling along the floor in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, as well as outdoors on pavements. They can move quickly and are often seen darting for cover when someone walks into a room. American cockroaches feed on a very wide range of human foodstuffs, waste and faecal matter.




SIGNS IMPACT PREVENTION
Javelin Services Limited

OOTHECAE – American cockroaches are not usually seen in the day time, unless there is a very heavy infestation, but shed skins and empty oothecae (egg cases) may be seen on the floor, in cupboards or behind furniture.

FAECAL SPOTTING – These may be seen near cockroach harbourage spots, such as in cracks and crevices around sinks and drains.

VISUAL SIGHTINGS – They are most easily seen by suddenly turning on the kitchen light at night. This is when cockroaches are most active and can be seen crawling around on work-surfaces, walls and the floor.

Javelin Services Limited

DISEASE-TRANSMITTERS – As a result of living and moving in dirty and unhygienic areas such as drains and waste bins, cockroaches often become contaminated with a wide range of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. When contaminated cockroaches later enter kitchens, they transfer these bacteria onto surfaces and food, causing gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other illnesses and diseases.

Javelin Services Limited

Improving hygiene may help reduce cockroach activity temporarily, but effective control of infestations in buildings requires serious professional treatment.

Please see our cockroach control page for practical steps you can take to help prevent ant infestations and also for our specialist solutions.

GERMAN COCKROACH (Blattella Germanica)

APPEARANCE:

Adult German cockroaches are about 15mm in length, and are light brown except for the shield behind the head, which is marked with two parallel dark stripes (Lengthways). Although they have wings, they do not generally fly.

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR:

During her life the female produces up to 8 oothecae, each containing around 35 young. However, instead of immediately laying each egg case, she carries it with her for 2 – 3 weeks and then eventually drops it when the young are ready to emerge. The emerging nymphs are initially 1mm long, but moult 6 times before reaching adulthood about 6 weeks later. The nymphs are wingless, and nearly black with a single light stripe running down the middle of their back. Once they have reached the adult stage, the cockroaches can live for another 4 months.

German cockroaches thrive in warm moist locations, such as kitchens, restaurants, laundries, bathrooms and similar locations. Typically, they hide in dark crevices, under work surfaces, around cooking equipment, in cupboards and even in drink dispensers. They are also capable of climbing vertical surfaces such as glass and glazed tiles. Like the American cockroach, they have a very varied diet and can eat most human foods as well as a wide range of waste organic material.

 




SIGNS IMPACT PREVENTION
Javelin Services Limited

OOTHECAE – Like American cockroaches, German cockroaches are not usually seen in the day time, unless there is a very heavy infestation, but shed skins and empty oothecae (egg cases) may be seen on the floor underneath kitchen cooking equipment.

FAECAL SPOTTING – These may be seen near harbourage spots in cracks and crevices under work surfaces and around electric sockets and electrical cable covers.

VISUAL SIGHTINGS – They are most easily seen by suddenly turning on the kitchen light at night. This is when cockroaches are most active and can be seen crawling around on work-surfaces, walls and the floor.

Javelin Services Limited

DISEASE-TRANSMITTERS – As a result of living and moving in dirty and unhygienic areas such as drains and waste bins, cockroaches often become contaminated with a wide range of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. When contaminated cockroaches later enter kitchens, they transfer these bacteria onto surfaces and food, causing gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other illnesses and diseases.

Javelin Services Limited

Improving hygiene may help reduce cockroach activity temporarily, but effective control of infestations in buildings requires serious professional treatment.

Please see our cockroach control page for practical steps you can take to help prevent ant infestations and also for our specialist solutions.

ORIENTAL COCKROACH (Blatta Orientalis)

APPEARANCE:

Adult Oriental cockroaches are large insects, measuring about 20 – 25 mm in length. They are dark brown or black in colour, with no markings. The males have wings that are about two-thirds the length of the body, while the female’s wings are very small.

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR: 

Females will lay around 10 egg cases in their lifetime, with each case containing about 15 young. The egg cases are usually deposited in dark crevices, and will hatch about 6 weeks after being laid. The young nymphs are a reddish-brown colour, are about 2mm in length, and take 5 to 9 months to reach adulthood. Once they have reached the adult stage, they can live for up to 6 months.

During the day, Oriental cockroaches are usually well hidden in dark voids such as drains and wall cavities. However, at night, they are often seen wandering on the floor in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, as well as outdoors on pavements. Oriental cockroaches feed on a very wide range of human foodstuffs, wastes and faecal material.




SIGNS IMPACT PREVENTION
Javelin Services Limited

OOTHECAE – Like American and German cockroaches, the Oriental cockroach are not usually seen in the day time unless there is a very heavy infestation, but shed skins and empty oothecae (egg cases) may be seen on the floor and behind furniture.

FAECAL SPOTTING – Spotting may be seen near harbourage spots in cracks and crevices around sinks and electrical cable covers.

VISUAL SIGHTINGS – They are most easily seen by suddenly turning on the kitchen light at night. This is when cockroaches are most active and can be seen crawling around on work-surfaces, walls and the floor.

Javelin Services Limited

DISEASE-TRANSMITTERS – As a result of living and moving in dirty and unhygienic areas such as drains and waste bins, cockroaches often become contaminated with a wide range of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. When contaminated cockroaches later enter kitchens, they transfer these bacteria onto surfaces and food, causing gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other illnesses and diseases.

Javelin Services Limited

Improving hygiene may help reduce cockroach activity temporarily, but effective control of infestations in buildings requires serious professional treatment.

Please see our cockroach control page for practical steps you can take to help prevent ant infestations and also for our specialist solutions.

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