What is a cockroach?

The famous philosopher of war, Sun Tzu, stressed the importance of knowing your enemy. When it comes to cockroaches, many of us find ourselves locked in a seemingly perpetual struggle. The reason we often fail to win is that we don’t know enough about our enemy! Cockroach control is complex and rarely succeeds if it is done in a haphazard manner.

This article is here to arm you with the knowledge to identify your roach problem, examine the risks they pose, and offer advice on when it is best to contact a pest control professional.

Seeing roaches is a bad sign!

Finally, seeing live cockroaches is the most obvious sign of an infestation. Spotting one cockroach isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, but it can be a warning sign especially if it occurs during the day, as cockroaches are typically nocturnal.

Frequent sightings, particularly in the daytime, often signify a more severe infestation. Cockroaches are adept at hiding, so seeing them out in the open usually means their hiding places are overcrowded. This visual confirmation, combined with other signs like droppings and egg cases means it is time to take action.

What kinds of cockroaches are found in homes?

Globally, there are ~4,600 species of cockroaches and about 30 find themselves in regular contact with humans. However, here in South Carolina there are just 8 species of cockroaches which are commonly encountered in our homes:

• American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
• Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai)
• Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae)
• Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
• German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)
• Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
• Smoky Brown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
  Surinam Cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis)

Identifying which species of cockroach is infesting your home isn’t a purely academic endeavor – different treatment methods work better for particular species. The first thing that a qualified pest control technician will do is identify the species of your roach infestation – allowing them to select the right insecticide and application method.

What’s the life cycle of a cockroach?

Cockroaches undergo three main stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult. The process begins when a female cockroach lays an egg case, known as an ootheca, which contains multiple eggs. Once the eggs hatch, they emerge as nymphs, which are smaller, wingless versions of adult cockroaches.

As nymphs grow, they molt several times, shedding their exoskeletons until they reach adulthood. This entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

How long do cockroaches live?

Cockroaches have relatively short lifespans compared to other pests, but they can live for up to one year under ideal conditions. However, their lifespan depends on the species and environmental factors such as food availability and temperature.

In warmer environments, cockroaches develop more rapidly – resulting in earlier deaths. In cooler environments their lifespan is longer, although they spend more time in their developmental phases and ultimately lay the same number of eggs.

Do cockroaches lay eggs after they die?

No, cockroaches do not lay eggs after they die. However, this common myth does have some basis in reality. If a female cockroach dies while carrying an ootheca (egg case), the egg case may still hatch if it is fully developed.

The ootheca is a protective casing that can continue to incubate the eggs even after the mother has died. This is why it’s crucial to quickly discard any dead roaches you may find in your home.

Why do cockroaches turn upside down when they die?

Cockroaches often end up on their backs when they die because their muscular and nervous systems shut down in a way that affects their balance. Cockroaches have long, flat bodies and small legs, which make them top-heavy.

When they are exposed to many common insecticides, their nervous system fails, causing them to lose control of their legs. This imbalance often results in the cockroach flipping onto its back, where it is unable to right itself, ultimately leading to its death.

How can I identify different species of cockroaches?

An important step in treating cockroach infestations is properly identifying what type of cockroach is infesting your home. Here is a brief identification guide for the most common types of roaches found in South Carolina:

Identifying small cockroaches (Adults smaller than 1”)

If the cockroach has 2 dark stripes on the pronotum (area behind the head), you are either looking at a German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) or an Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai). These two species are nearly identical visually, but can be told apart by their behavior. Asian cockroaches are strong flyers and often fly towards lights. German cockroaches can use their wings to glide – but do so rarely.

If the roach has light brown or yellow colored bands running horizontally across their bodies, you can be confident that you’re looking at a Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa).

If you’ve found these small roaches in potted plants or a greenhouse, then the most likely culprit is the Surinam Cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis).

Note: Cockroaches go through as many as 14 different molts, getting larger each time they shed their exoskeleton.
This means that juvenile cockroaches may be mistaken for adults. Adults are recognizable by the presence of wings – a roach without wings is in one of their juvenile nymph stages.

Which types of roaches are hardest to get rid of?

All cockroaches are notoriously resilient, but some species are especially difficult to eliminate. The German, Oriental, and American cockroaches are among the most challenging types to control due to their behavior, reproduction rates, and adaptability.

Why German Cockroaches are hard to get rid of:

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is widely regarded as the most difficult to eradicate. Their small size allows them to hide in tiny cracks and crevices, making them hard to detect.

What makes them particularly challenging is their rapid reproduction rate: a single female cockroach can lay hundreds of eggs in a year, and her offspring can produce children of their own within just a couple months.

German cockroaches are also highly adaptable, often developing resistance to common insecticides. Effective elimination typically requires a combination of baiting, thorough cleaning, and professional pest control services.

Why Oriental Cockroaches are hard to get rid of:

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is another difficult pest to manage. Known for thriving in damp, dark environments like basements, drains, and sewers, Oriental cockroaches are less likely to be found inside kitchens but are still a major nuisance.

Because of their preference for damp habitats, eliminating them often requires addressing moisture problems, sealing entry points, and using targeted insecticides in hard-to-reach places.

Why American Cockroaches are hard to get rid of:

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the largest of the common house-invading cockroaches, and its size can make it seem particularly intimidating. Though they reproduce more slowly than German cockroaches, American cockroaches are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of environments, including sewers, basements, and kitchens.

Their ability to fly, along with their large size, makes them more mobile, allowing them to cover larger areas in search of food. Effective control often requires treating large areas and addressing multiple environmental factors, such as food sources and humidity levels.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Some people believe that cockroaches can bite – but there really isn’t much evidence to suggest that this happens. However, regardless of whether or not they bite, they can and do impact our health.

What people mistake for cockroach bites are usually scratches from the stiff hairs that line their legs. Many individuals experience allergic reactions to these scratches, and also these hairs can be covered with bacteria leading to infection.

And the same bacteria that can cause infections on your skin also cause food spoilage and may even spread certain food-borne pathogens.

Do cockroaches cause asthma?

The risk of allergens and bacteria don’t stop with direct contact. For example, cockroach allergens are one of the most common reaction sources for people with indoor asthma. As many as 40 to 60% of people who suffer from asthma indoors show reactivity to cockroach allergens.

If you or someone in your family has asthma that is made worse by time spent indoors, this is a cause that should not be overlooked.

What attracts cockroaches to your home?

Some bugs seem to prefer to live outside – they might occasionally wander into our homes, but they don’t enjoy domestic life. Cockroaches however, are different. They like living in our homes, and that is because our homes offer them food, water, and shelter.

How can I prevent cockroach infestations?

No one wants a cockroach infestation – yet most people only take action after they already are experiencing one! However, if you take the following steps you can avoid having cockroaches in the first place:

• Keep your home clean: Regularly sweep, mop, and vacuum to remove food crumbs and spills. Pay particular attention to your kitchen, dining room, and rooms where children regularly play.
• Store food properly: Use airtight containers for food storage and avoid leaving food out overnight.
• Fix leaks: Repair any leaky pipes or faucets to eliminate the water sources that create the high humidity environments which cockroaches prefer.
• Limit humidity: Use a dehumidifier in any areas of your home that are excessively humid. If your crawl space has moisture problems, consider investing in a water management system like a moisture barrier.
• Reduce clutter: Keep your home organized and free of piles of paper, cardboard, and other materials that can serve as hiding places.
• Seal entry points: Close off gaps and cracks in walls, doors, and windows to prevent cockroaches from entering. Expanding spray foam is good for larger cracks and voids while silicone caulking is ideal for smaller cracks.
• Take out the trash regularly: Use garbage cans with a lid and take trash bags out frequently to reduce attractants. While large trash cans are convenient, a smaller one may be a better choice as the bags need to be taken out more frequently.
• Clean up pet food: Remove pet food bowls after feeding and store pet food in sealed containers.
• Monthly pest control treatments: Schedule regular preventative treatments with a professional pest control service to keep cockroaches at bay.

How small of a crack can cockroaches get through?

If you are wondering where your cockroaches are coming from, you aren’t alone. These creatures can appear from seemingly nowhere and after skittering into a dark corner they vanish just as quickly.

Even large species, like the American cockroach which can exceed 1.5 inches in length, can fit through 3 millimeter tall cracks (the height of a stack of two pennies!).

What are the most effective DIY ways to get rid of roaches?

Roaches are incredibly resilient pests and many products on the market that claim to get rid of them simply don’t work very well. We recommend against aerosol sprays and foggers as these products almost never eliminate the problem and can leave behind residues which are dangerous to children and pets. Instead, a good place to start is with bait traps and/or boric acid.

Using roach bait traps to control cockroaches

Roach bait traps come in a variety of forms, ranging from plastic ‘roach motels’ to gel baits. These slow-acting poisons are quite effective but take some time to achieve their results.

Which bait trap should I use?

We recommend choosing bait traps that specifically state they are effective on the species of cockroach infesting your home. However, do be aware that cockroaches quickly evolve resistance to pesticides!

You might need to try a few different brands of traps before you find success, and there is a possibility that your roaches are already resistant to readily available treatments. In these cases your best option is to work with a professional pest management company.

Using boric acid to control cockroaches

Boric acid is a highly effective and affordable solution for controlling and eliminating cockroach infestations. When used correctly, it can target and kill these pests while being relatively safe for humans and pets.

How Boric Acid Works

Boric acid is a naturally occurring compound that acts as a poison for cockroaches. When cockroaches come into contact with boric acid, it adheres to their bodies. As they groom themselves, they ingest the boric acid, which disrupts their digestive and nervous systems, ultimately leading to their death.

How to use boric acid for cockroach treatment

1. Identify target areas:

• Focus on high-traffic areas where cockroaches are likely to hide, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
• Look for cracks, crevices, and other entry points where cockroaches can enter your home.

2. Prepare the area:

• Clean the targeted areas thoroughly to remove food debris and other attractants.
• Ensure the areas are dry, as boric acid is most effective when applied to dry surfaces.

3. Apply boric acid:

• Lightly dust a thin layer of boric acid in the target areas.
• Use a squeeze bottle or a bulb duster for precise application. Avoid piling boric acid, as cockroaches may avoid large clumps.

4. Safety precautions:

• Keep boric acid out of reach of children and pets. While it is less toxic to humans and animals, ingestion can still be harmful.
• Wear gloves and a mask during application to avoid direct contact and inhalation of the powder.

How to get the best results from boric acid

• Check the treated areas regularly: Monitor the effectiveness of the boric acid and reapply as necessary, especially after cleaning or if the powder becomes wet.
• Combine with other methods: For best results, use boric acid in conjunction with other control methods such as bait traps, sealing entry points, and maintaining cleanliness.
• Replace periodically: Refresh the boric acid every few weeks to ensure it remains effective, especially in areas with high cockroach activity.