|
Common name - American Cockroach
Scientific name- periplanete Americana (Linnaeus)
The American cockroach is the most common of the large cockroach species, which infest houses, warehouses, storage areas and gardens in and around Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and the wider central Australian community
They are commonly found in restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, breweries, pet shops and garden beds and other establishments in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek where food is prepared or stored.
They can be transported into homes and apartments in boxes from previous infested establishments.
American cockroaches can foul food and produce an unpleasant odour if not controlled.
Some home- owners can be allergic to cockroaches, thus putting their health at great risk.
This species of cockroach can contaminate food with certain bacterial diseases that result in food poisoning, dysentery, or diarrhea.
In some cases Cockroaches can also cause childhood asthma.
Identification
American cockroaches have a flattened oval shape body, spiny legs, and grow long filamentous antennae.
Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings but also resemble adults.
Adult American cockroaches are reddish-brown to dark brown (except for a tan or light yellow band around the shield behind the pronotem) head and are about 25-35 mm long, and have wings capable of flight. Males and females are usually about the same size.
The wings are about the same length as the body (abdomen) in the females and longer in the males, extending slightly beyond the abdomen.
Females have a broader abdomen, while the males have both cerci (pair of appendages at the end of the abdomen) and styli (short, slender, finger like process).
Nymphs are wingless, uniformly brown colour, and can run very fast. Egg capsules are mahogany brown and about 1/3-inch long.
Life Cycle and Habits
American cockroach females deposit their eggs in bean-shaped cases (oothecae) usually in and around sheltered areas on the floor, and usually close to a food source.
Egg capsules can protrude from the body for a few hours, or up to four days.
One egg capsule is formed each week until 6 to 14 eggs have been produced.
Each capsule case can contain up to 16-18 white or yellowish-white eggs.
Eggs hatch between 5 to 7 weeks, first into whitish-brown nymphs, later turning a darker-brown, after the moulting stage.
Development to adult stage averages about 15 months, this may vary between 9-1/2 to 20 months.
Adult American cockroaches can live for a further 15-18 months.
These cockroaches are usually found in dark, moist areas, especially in sewers, around bathtubs and plumbing.
In the garden They can be found feeding mainly on decaying organic matter.
They are also attracted to fermenting liquid beer. or - saturated bread.
Cockroaches hide during the day in sheltered, dark places and forage for food at night, often running rapidly when disturbed.
American cockroaches are the most common of the large cockroaches found in homes/ garages and garden beds in ALICE SPRINGS, TENNANT CREEK OR THE WIDER CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN REGION.
Though winged, they seldom fly when disturbed.
Instead, there is more of a gliding flight.
Adults can live at least two to three months without food, a month without water, and can easily survive outdoor freezing temperatures.
They are very common in yards in summer months and around any out-side lights..
Control Measures
Integrated Pest Management (IMP) is a system promoted and implemented by ALICE PEST CONTROL, and TENNANT CREEK PEST CONTROL
Integrated Pest Management (IMP) is a systems approach that combines preventive techniques, non-chemical pest control methods, and the wise use of pesticides with preference for products that are least harmful to human health and the environment.
It is not the total elimination of pesticides but an alternate approach to traditional pest control measures.
Complete reliance in the past on pesticides alone for pest control, allowed certain pests to develop pesticide resistance.
IMP consists of routine inspection and monitoring with treatment only when pests are actually present, thus reducing traditional, routine pesticide application treatment (routine maintenance sprays) whether pests were present or not.
By following a cockroach IMP plan, most cockroach activity is monitored using sticky traps or glue boards.
These monitoring stations are placed throughout a structure where roaches are likely to be found such as in dark places along walls, under appliances, and in bathrooms and kitchens.
Any cracks about 10 mm in size can be good cockroach habitats, eg-weep holes in brickwork etc.
Monitoring indicates whether cockroaches are present and if control methods are required.
IMP tools can include glue boards, baits, vacuum cleaners, caulking, and insect growth regulators.
Detection
American cockroaches can often be detected by inspecting the premises after dark with a torch.
They habitat dark, damp, warm places, often near sewers, grease traps, and damp basements.
During the day, probing hiding places with a wire or stick may expose American cockroaches.
ALICE PEST CONTROL and TENNANT CREEK PEST CONTROL promotes and implements only non-odorous, environmentally friendly pesticides when carrying out a service to control cockroaches in buildings in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek or the wider central Australian community
These pesticides are synthetic pyrethiriods called Maxxthor, which are applied to hiding places including internal skirting boards, external walls, perimeter of houses, sheds, gardens etc.
This will flush out American cockroaches, quickly killing them if they come into contact with the spray whilst still leaving a residual to continue to effectively control them for many months after application.
Prevention and Sanitation
American cockroaches can move from one building to the next during the summer in ALICE SPRINGS, TENNANT CREEK, AND THE WIDER CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY,
This may include entering houses through weep holes in brick work, around loose-fitting doors or windows, and around water and gas pipes entering the buildings.
Preventative measures may include - sealing cracks with mortar or no more gaps, inspection of all cartons, boxes etc which may have been brought into the home and then destroy and remove any cockroaches present.
Sanitation is critical in cockroach control.
ALWAYS clean up spilled foods and liquids and ALWAYS avoid leaving food scraps, unwashed dishes and counter tops unclean.
Compost piles in rear yards are another real attractant.
Within the house, always keep all foodstuffs in tightly sealed containers and transfer garbage outdoors into roach-proof receptacles.
Insecticides
The pest technicians at Alice Pest Control and Tennant Creek Pest Control apply pesticides to cockroach harbouring places. We treat all hiding places and known pathways, especially under, around and behind all pipes or conduits along the walls or through it.
We do not treat entire floors, walls or ceilings inside the house.
We do not spray on or above food preparation surfaces where food is prepared.
We recommend buildings with multiple dwellings require a treatment of each unit.
There are numerous cockroach insecticide formulations of which some of these are labeled for "general use" for homeowner application and others labeled "restricted use" for professional pest control technicians only.
OUR STAFF WILL ALWAYS Read and Heed the Label and follow all directions and adhere to all safety precautions WHEN APPLYING any pesticides in or around your home.
Dusting Powders such as Permathor may be utilised by Alice Pest Control using a “ dust-puffer” applying the product into hiding places, including cracks and crevices, and all other inaccessible areas, which in-turn will flush them out from these areas,making it easier to treat the target pests, and providing a more through , safer, and professional service.
Permithor- will act as a flushing agent, flushing them out of their hiding places, and killing any cockroaches, which may be present.
Sprays, either oil-based or water emulsion can be applied as spot or crack and crevice treatment.
These applications may include the utilisation of either chemical Bifenthrin or Deltamethrin.
Insect growth regulators (or IGRs) include hydroprene (Gentrol) and pyriproxyfen (Archer Nylar), which act on immature growth stages by contact or ingestion, disrupting moulting and development stages through to fertile adults.
(A combination of an IGR followed up by the use of bait is often very effective.)
Some companies still use contact insecticides in mist or ULV (ultra-low volume) machines which are able to treat an entire internal area.
However, the trend is toward “less spraying and aerosols” and more IGRs and baits.
Open all drawers and closet doors where all cockroach harbourage places are best accessed.
Baits
Certain segments of the public such as households, schools, hospitals, and office buildings may prefer baits to sprays.
Baits including pastes, gels, and bait stations when applied in accordance with the label, are applied to all wet areas within the house, including kitchen cupboards, vanities, and laundry cupboards.
Bait advantages include low hazard (toxicity) to people, which are suited for sensitive clients leaving no smell/odour and no items requiring removal.
The IPM system provides a more effective control of the target pest.
Disadvantages may include high bait cost, precise placement requirement, which may not be cost effective in heavy cockroach infestations.
Sticky boards have openings at both ends, where the inside surface covering contains a very sticky adhesive and a slow-release pheromone attractant where strategically placed traps, including cockroach hiding, feeding and harbourage areas, trap numerous adults and nymphs daily.
This method is very effective, especially on Brown Banded and German Cockroaches.
Traps are best used together with preventive and insecticidal applications to contain populations.
Trapping can detect harbourage areas including infestation severity,
Monitor effectiveness of pesticide applications and note any cockroach population increase, which may require additional pesticide applications.
If a severe cockroach infestation develops, or if you are in doubt as to the control measures to use, just contact Alice Pest Control or Tennant Creek Pest Control on
08 8952 1451
We have the expertise, knowledge, training and experience to best carry out a thorough, safe and effective pest service on your home, unit or workplace.
|
