1. American Cockroaches Chapter 6 Section II – General Pest Control Basics of the Pest Bear & Affiliates Service Personnel Development Program 2005 Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

2. Introduction The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is one of the most important urban pests encountered by the PCO. While the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, may be the most important, the American cockroach and its close relatives, the Australian, Periplaneta australasiae, and Smoky- Brown cockroaches, Periplaneta fuliginosa, can also create serious control problems. Using IPM procedures when controlling these pests will greatly increase your chances of having a successful control program. This program will point out some of the differences encountered when controlling these pests and will assist the PCO in balancing his attack on this formidable foe. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

3. American Cockroaches - adults

4. Life Cycle American cockroaches, like all other cockroaches have a gradual metamorphism The young resemble the adults and will be found in association with the adults. They go through a series of “molts” or instars and will appear to be white until their exoskeleton (skin) hardens. The nymphs hatch from an egg capsule (ootheca) which has two rows of eggs and which is usually dropped within two days of forming. The success of the American cockroach is directly linked to the ootheca being dropped on or near a food source. Sometimes the American cockroach female will glue the ootheca to a surface, rather than dropping it. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

5. Life Cycle - American cockroaches are not as prolific as the German cockroaches, but they can and do build up in large numbers. Each ootheca will contain 14-16 eggs. A female may form an ootheca at the rate of one per week. A single female may form 15-90 ootheca during her life span. At room temperature, the American cockroach ootheca will hatch in 50-55 days. The first instar nymphs molt and leave their caste skin in the ootheca. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

6. American Cockroaches - nymphs American cockroach nymphs will molt 9-13 times They are grayish-brown for the first few molts Later molts produce nymphs which are reddish brown in color. The nymphal stage is be completed in 160-970, which gives them a lengthy life span. Natural populations will normally have a reduced life span. Due to the length of the nymphal stage, control procedures should be directed at this stage, as well as the adult population. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

7. American Cockroaches - adults American cockroach adults are the largest of the common pest species. They may be 1.5” or more in length. They are reddish-brown with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both the male and female are fully winged. The wings of the male extend beyond the abdomen and the wings of the female extend to the end of the abdomen. They seldom fly, even though they have well developed wings. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

8. Important Habitat Information American cockroaches are found both inside and outdoors. When found outdoors, they are generally associated with trees or mulch. A favored exterior habitant are sewers. When found inside, they are generally found in warm, dark areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, and under or around bathtubs or plumbing pipes. When populations build up, American cockroaches are known to migrate in large numbers. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

9. American Cockroach Habitant There are three very important facts to remember about American cockroaches. They feed on many foods but prefer decaying organic material and can go for 2-3 months without food. They can only go for about 1 month without water They do not fly, but have been noted to glide in the southern states, as far north as Kentucky. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

10. Similar Cockroaches American cockroaches resemble Australian cockroaches and Smoky-Brown cockroaches Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

11. Australian Cockroaches

12. Australian cockroaches are 1.25” long Americans are 1.5” long Australian cockroaches have a yellow chevron on their front wing Americans have a light band around the pronotum Australian nymphs are strikingly marked with yellow spots on the dorsal side of the thorax and abdomen. Australian cockroaches place their ootheca in a crack and it will contain about 24 eggs. Australian cockroaches are primarily a southern cockroach but are commonly found in greenhouses. The increased use of indoor plants has increased the occurrence of Australian cockroaches, inside. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

13. Smoky-Brown Cockroaches

14. Smoky-Brown cockroaches are 1” long Americans are 1.5” long Smoky-Brown cockroaches are a mahogany color with no lighter coloration on the pronotum or wings Americans have a light band around the pronotum Smoky-Brown nymphs have long antennae with a white tip. Smoky-Brown adult males and females have wings longer than their body and are strong fliers. Smoky-Brown ootheca are dark-brown to black and contain 24 eggs. Primarily an outside cockroach, they commonly enter homes through vents, windows, doors and “weep holes”. They readily forage for food. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

15. IPM for American Cockroaches When making your inspection, do not overlook the exterior of a building as the source for an interior infestation. Consider “exclusion” as a primary control technique, particularly caulking around windows. Consider both interior and exterior baiting and the use of long residual control agents, because of the length of their life cycle and habitat preferences. Focus treatments on warm, moist areas, which have reasonable access to decaying organic materials. The use of growth regulators aids in maintaining control due to the large number of instars and duration of the life cycle. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

16. Treatment Techniques - inside Treat areas having access to the outside - windows, vents, pipes and doorways. Be very thorough and inspect the site completely to determine harborages. Consider using long-lasting baits rather than “spraying”, and make bait placements in warm moist areas. Treat the area where pipes enter the building. Inspect and bait sources of organic materials, such as potted plants and interior planters. Inspect the area after dark, if possible, and look for congregations of cockroaches in corners, under the structure and around refrigeration units. Treat wall voids with residual dusts or granules Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

17. Treatment Techniques - outside Treat areas having access to the inside - windows, vents, pipes and doorways. Baits work well, if placed in out of the way areas, such as “weep holes” or beneath the structure. Inspect and look for drains with outside-inside access. Granular or paste baits “may” provide more efficient control than “sprays” when treating areas exposed to sunlight, air currents and moisture. Treat trees and shrubs which are in close proximity to the structure. Trash and garbage containers are a primary source for organic foods favored by this group of cockroaches. Do not over look sewer opening, but remember the precautions when treating near water. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

18. Inspecting\Monitoring As with all other pest control programs, inspection and monitoring are critical steps. Long life cycles and the complexity of interior and exterior habitat preferences make regular inspections a must. Monitoring to determine which species is infesting the structure will provide direct input for the selection of the proper control agents. Inspections need to be more than “looking in the cabinets” and should include out buildings and neighboring trees and shrubs. Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved