Intelligent Pest Management Services Inc - Toronto Pest Management Services

QUICK STATS:

Color:

Brown, with pronounced banding across wings

Shape:

Oval

Size:

¹⁄₂ inch long

Region:

Found throughout the U.S. as well as Southern Ontario

OVERVIEW:

Brownbanded cockroaches get their name from the two lighter bands they have across their dark brown bodies. Males have full wings, which reach beyond the tip of their pointed abdomens, but females have underdeveloped wings, much shorter than their broad, rounded abdomens.

PREVENTION:

• Properly ventilate basements and crawl spaces to prevent moisture buildup.

• Keep counters free of crumbs and vacuum the floors often to reduce the accumulation of cockroach allergens.

• Keep garbage in a sealed container and dispose of it regularly to avoid attracting cockroaches.

• Pay extra attention to ceilings, wall moldings and highhanging picture frames, as these areas are particularly vulnerable to brownbanded cockroach infestations.

• If you find signs of a cockroach infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the problem.

HABITS:

Brownbanded cockroaches can be found throughout structures, but show a preference for drier locations and warmer areas over 80⁰. They also tend to prefer higher locations than most cockroach species and are often found in upper cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. Brownbanded cockroaches often hide their egg cases in or under furniture and glue the oothecae (egg cases) to surfaces.

THREATS:

Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. Medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens are a leading trigger of allergic reactions in inner city children. They have even been shown to cause asthma in children.

DID YOU KNOW? Brownbanded cockroaches…

• can fly if they are males. Females cannot fly.

• grow from egg to adult in about 161 days.

• live about 206 days.