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Household Insects
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Brown-banded Cockroach
by Dennis M. Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit
This roach was brought to the United States in 1903 and can now be
found throughout the county. While not the most common roach problem
in our area, it does appear occasionally in houses and apartments.
The brown-banded roach is 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. Its body is
yellowish-brown with two wide, dark brown bands across its wings.
Its habits differ greatly from the roaches common in this area. The
brown-banded roach lives throughout the home, not just in the
kitchen as the German roach does or near water sources, as is the
habit of oriental cockroaches. Brown-banded cockroaches and their
eggs can be found in dressers, curtains and rods, closets, wall
hangings and bedding.
If you suspect a brown-banded roach infestation, determine the
extent and location of the problem. Monitoring can be done by
placing sticky traps (roach motels) throughout the area, such as
under dressers and beds and in closets. Leave the traps undisturbed
for two to four days. Control methods should be started immediately
in any room where roaches are found.
Brown-banded roaches are difficult to control, but persistence will
pay off. Apply a liquid or spray insecticide such as, carbaryl (Sevin),
Diazinon or boric acid solutions to all hidden and dark areas as
well as along baseboards. Remove drawers from dressers, spray under
box springs, and don't neglect moldings near ceilings. Repeat
monthly until roaches are eradicated. Follow all label directions.
Foggers can be useful in conjunction with sprays, but are not
recommended for use alone.
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German Cockroach
by Dennis Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit
Probably the most disliked of all insects, this is the dreaded pest
of kitchens and bathrooms. It is smaller than many other roaches,
reaching lengths of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. The German cockroach
is light brown to caramel in color, with two black stripes down its
head shield. This insect prefers warm, moist areas. It is active in
darkness, and hides in cracks and crevices during the day. German
cockroaches like to live near their food and water sources, and are
commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms although large infestations
may spread throughout the home.
German cockroaches reproduce rapidly, with one female and her
descendants capable of numbering 20,000 or more in a year. Because
they carry bacteria from one place to another, they can transmit
diseases and spoil food. Prevention of cockroach infestation is best
done through good sanitation. They are usually brought into homes on
items such as grocery sacks, old boxes, etc. If you find cockroaches
in your home, monitor the situation with sticky traps placed near
the place you found them. When you find their nesting area, which is
usually in a hidden crack or crevice, you have a choice of numerous
household products for their control. Insecticidal sprays and dusts
give adequate control when used in cracks and crevices. Widespread
chemical applications and fogs usually give little control. Many
control baits give excellent control over a long term, and are less
hazardous to humans and pest than sprays and dusts.
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Oriental Cockroach
by Dennis M. Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit
These roaches normally live in protected, moist areas around homes.
They prefer shaded spots with natural debris such as wood chips and
leaf litter. While content to live outside, they seek shelter in
houses when temperatures drop. As their common name implies, they
head for moist areas once inside. They are usually found in
basements and under sinks and vanities. Oriental cockroaches
frequently travel through the house on plumbing pipes. They seldom
infest food storage areas. Carefully-placed insecticides give the
best control. Common household sprays used under sinks and in
basements are usually effective. You could also spray around the
outside foundation of the house to provide a chemical barrier.
Follow all label directions.
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Woodroach
-by Dennis M. Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension
Unit
The male is most visible in the spring. He is about one to 1 1/4
inch in length, medium to dark brown, with tan wings. The most
distinguishing feature is two white marks on the side of the shield
covering its head. The male woodroach can fly very well and travels
in search of females at this time of year.
The female is much smaller, has very small wings and cannot fly.
Generally, she lives on trees or logs and seldom is found indoors.
The male's evening flight occasionally take him into buildings. He
is attracted by light.
This pest causes no damage to the home, but because of its size and
flight a woodroach's presence concerns people. Left alone, a male
roach will die indoors in about two days. Infestations are unlikely,
since the female doesn't enter the home to lay eggs. Spraying with
household insecticide around the exteriors of doors and windows will
help reduce woodroach numbers. Indoor spraying does little to
control this pest. Because of their habits and short indoor life,
they can be ignored.
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