Cockroaches are primitive
insects whose origins extend back at least 300 million
years and are thought to have originated
in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa.
The advent of travel and international trade has brought
about the spread of cockroaches to most countries
in the world.
Although worldwide, there are over
3,000 species of cockroaches, only half a dozen have
attained the status of pest species by adapting themselves
to cohabit with man in his dwelling. The remaining
non-pest species inhabit decaying plant material,
dark damp areas such as caves, and beneath the bark
of rotting trees.
The omnivorous appetite of cockroaches
makes any unprotected foodstuffs susceptible to cockroach
infestation and contamination. Their indiscriminate
feeding sources in such areas as sewers, drains and
garbage areas bring them in contact with disease organisms
including salmonella and other organisms associated
with dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures
and are seldom seen in any quantity during daylight
hours, however, in areas where there are heavy infestations,
sightings of cockroaches may become more common. It
is generally accepted that for every cockroach seen
that there are at least a further ten that are hidden
away in out of sight harbourages. Common harbourage
areas include cracks and crevices, dishwashers, electrical
motors and switches, ovens and almost any warm moist
areas where food is available.
Tell tale signs indicating
cockroach activity include the presence of
egg cases, regurgitation marks, faecal pellets, odour
and cast-off nymphal skins.
Infestation occurs when cockroaches are carried
into the premises on raw materials or packaging
or gain entry through drain covers, ventilation openings
and under doors.
Most common species have wings, but have a tendency
to crawl rather than fly. When disturbed, cockroaches
have the ability to scurry away with remarkable haste.
Life Cycle
Following mating, the female cockroaches
enclose their eggs in purse-shaped egg cases which
they deposit or glue onto a surface prior to the eggs
hatching. The young cockroaches, or nymphs as they
are referred to, emerge from the egg case and over
a period of up to a year, go through 5-12 months as
they increase in size. They achieve adulthood after
the final moult and are capable of breeding 2-3 weeks
later. They are prolific breeders with the most common
of the pest species, the German cockroach, being capable
of producing 20,000 offspring within a twelve month
period. Female cockroaches also have the ability to
produce young without mating. This is referred to
as parthenonogenisis.
Cockroach Control Methods
Successful cockroach control is based
on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) starting with
a thorough inspection of the entire premises to identify
the species and to define the extent and source of
the infestation. Observations made during the inspection
enable a program to be proposed which considers all
possible facets of control procedures including proofing,
trapping, sanitation, hygiene and the judicious use
of preparations. Recent preparations developed for
cockroach control are of low mammalian toxicity and
do not persist in the environment. A new group of
preparations called insect growth regulators are being
presently used by the industry. These compounds prevent
the immature stage of the insect from achieving adulthood
and so prevent propagation of the species. The advantage
of such formulations is that they are usually specific
to a particular pest and have little effect against
non-target species.
- Termites - Fleas
- Cockroaches - Silverfish
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- Spiders - Mosquitos
- Rodents -
