Habitat
This cockroach is a
common inhabitant of sewage systems. Observations after heavy rain show that
basements in numerous cities throughout the United States have heavy
infestations of American cockroaches. The American cockroach is found most
commonly in restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and where food is prepared or
stored. During the summer months, alley ways and yards may be badly
infested.
Biology and Habits
Egg capsules are often glued to
surfaces and are often covered with paint or other building material, blending
well with the surroundings. American cockroaches do not drop the egg cases
indiscriminately, but usually hide them with great care in crevices, or bury
them in soft wood or workable material. This clearly has survival value since
predators and parasites attack poorly protected egg capsules or pest control
technicians may squash egg capsules easily spotted around exterior door frames.
The incubation period is 38-49 days, and the number of egg cases produced by the
female is from 6 to 14, with an average of 9.5. A female may produce 30-90 egg
capsules at intervals of approximately 4-7 days.
The egg capsule may contain up to
16 eggs; however, the average number of young to emerge is 13.6. The whitish,
newly-emerged nymphs begin to run around actively in about 10 minutes. The first
few molts of the nymph occur at approximately monthly intervals, but thereafter
may vary from 1 to 6 months. The American cockroach molts 13 times before
reaching maturity. The duration of the nymphal period from records now available
varies from 285 to 616 days, with an average of 409, although the final average
will be over 450 days. The American cockroach may reach sexual maturity in seven
months under optimum conditions. Adult females live 102-588 days, with an
average of 440 days.
Control
Because the American cockroach
is found indoors and outdoors in very wet situations, applications of
insecticides to basement walls, wood scraps, and other infested locations are
recommended. Residual barrier sprays substantially reduce American cockroach
populations around houses. Power dusting of crawl spaces, false
ceilings, and wall voids etc , can effective an method of control. Space sprays
or contact aerosols can be used in basements and utility rooms.
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