RECOGNIZE A STRIPED COCKROACH
Start by determining the size of the insect.
Striped cockroaches (Supella longipalpa), which are also called brown-banded cockroaches or furniture cockroaches, are between 10 and 14 mm in length as adults. They are one of the smallest species of cockroaches. To give an idea of their size, it is sufficient to point out that they have a length which is less than the diameter of a euro cent coin (16.25 mm) if one omits the antennae.
Try to find two yellow-brown stripes.
Despite what one of the names of this cockroach (brown-banded cockroach) may suggest, it is not identified by brown bands, but by two yellowish bands that surround the abdomen. Look for a large one in the lower part of the abdomen and a thinner one running down the middle.
Take into account the climate of your region.
Striped cockroaches generally live in warm, dry climates. If you have a cockroach problem and you live in an area with a humid climate and medium to low temperatures, you are probably dealing with a different species of cockroach.
Look for a water source near your home.
Striped cockroaches hate moisture and are rarely found around a water source. If you’ve seen a cockroach near the toilet bowl or near a sink, it’s probably not a brown-banded cockroach.
See if the cockroach has wings.
The striped cockroach flies away when disturbed. If you see a cockroach flying around, it’s probably a brown-banded cockroach.
TO RECOGNIZE A GERMAN COCKROACH
Start by assessing the size of the roach.
German cockroaches are a little longer than the striped cockroaches. They reach a length (without antennae) between 13 and 16 mm as adults, which is about the diameter of a penny.
Look for two black bands.
The German cockroach can be recognized by two dark stripes that extend across its back from the head to the bottom of the wings. These bands are often dark brown and can sometimes be almost black.
Observe the behavior of the cockroach towards water.
German cockroaches love humidity and heat. They can usually be seen in the kitchen or bathroom wandering around a sink or basin. They are also often found in garbage cans where they go to look for their food.
Consider the number of roaches.
German cockroaches are the most common cockroaches found in homes where they tend to congregate. If you think your home is overrun with cockroaches, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with German cockroaches.
RECOGNIZE AN AMERICAN COCKROACH
Start by assessing the size of the roach. American cockroaches are a large species of cockroaches, as they can be up to 5 cm in length as adults. If you place such a cockroach next to a one-euro coin, it appears twice as long as the diameter of the coin (23.25 mm).
Pay attention to the color of the cockroach.
The American cockroaches are distinguished from other cockroaches by their brown color going to the red that reminds amber. Indeed, most other cockroaches have a dark brown or black body. Try to see if the cockroach in front of you has a body that emits red glow. Also look for two large dark brown spots just behind the head which are the only two areas of the body that are not red in this species.
See if the body is shiny.
American cockroaches have a characteristic red color, but they are also particularly bright. Their body and wings are perfectly shiny, but this does not make them attractive.
Pay attention to the type of food the cockroach eats. American cockroaches are very fond of moist foods, such as those of humans or their pets, which makes them particularly harmful insects. If you see a large cockroach eating your food or your dog’s or cat’s food, it is most likely an American cockroach.
RECOGNIZE AN ORIENTAL COCKROACH
Assess the size of the cockroach.
Oriental cockroaches are generally one centimeter long when fully grown, which is about half the diameter of a 10 cent euro coin (19.75 mm). They have a tube-shaped body that is the same width from the top of the head to the end of the abdomen. Female oriental cockroaches are larger than their male counterparts,
Examine the color of the cockroach.
Oriental cockroaches are a very dark brown color. They can even appear black under certain lighting conditions. Other than their characteristic color, there are no other features, such as stripes or dots, to distinguish them from other roach species.
Examine the wings of the cockroach.
Male oriental cockroaches have wings that cover about three quarters of their abdomen while their female counterparts do not. Although they have these organs, males cannot fly.
Pay attention to the places where you encounter cockroaches.
Oriental cockroaches can survive a long, cold winter outdoors because they are able to burrow under a protective layer of material such as plant moss. In indoor environments, they tend to settle in dark and humid places. They can often be found in the pipes of cool cellars.
Pay attention to the odors that cockroaches can give off.
There is often an unpleasant musty smell from areas that are infested with Oriental cockroaches. These fumes are due to the chemicals that these cockroaches secrete to communicate with each other.
TIPS
- If you have to deal with a cockroach infestation, you are going to have to take drastic measures to eliminate these pests. If you spare a small area of your home, you leave them a space where they can breed and you will have to do the disinfecting work again.
- German cockroaches have a preference for prepared foods and therefore are most likely to be found in the kitchen.
- Striped cockroaches often hide in dark, warm places like the spaces between shelves in a closet.
- If you have a cockroach problem, store your food in airtight boxes to protect it from contamination. You should also keep garbage in closed containers.
- Oriental cockroaches often enter homes through pipes and drainage systems to settle in dark, cool places like basements.
https://www.a-extermination.com/fr/autres-bestioles/coquerelles/
Leave a Reply