Roach faqs
The Enduring Cockroach
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COCKROACHES  See more roach faqs
Did you know that Cockroaches have inhabited the earth for more than 250 million years Find more fascinating facts about roaches in Roach Trivia.

NOTICE TO APARTMENT MANAGERS!  Feel free to download the ROACH NOTICE FILE IN WORD FORMAT

ROACH BIOLOGY AND HABITS  Cockroaches live, feed and reproduce in most all types of structures including homes, apartments, restaurants, office buildings, nursing homes, hospitals, factories and most anywhere where people work, live and play. Cockroaches eat human food and non-food items and contaminate them with saliva, fecal droppings or glandular secretions. Roaches are suspected of transmitting a variety of diseases, but are most often implicated in the transmission of salmonella, the causal agent of food poisoning.

Cockroaches are typically nocturnal insects appearing only during the day when disturbed or when there is an excessively large infestation. Cracks and crevices are favored hiding and breeding areas.

In the Pacific Northwest there are four cockroach species which may be encountered in structures: Brownbanded, American, Oriental and German.
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Brownbanded Cockroaches are more apt to be found in private residences than in commercial buildings, and they are more common in eastern Washington than in Western Washington. Brownbandeds prefer to hide in warm areas near the ceiling, behind wall decorations and loose wallpaper, in closets, beneath or inside upholstered furniture, and in electrical appliances. These cockroaches may infest any room within a dwelling and therefore thorough inspection and treatment is necessary.

(click on picture to enlarge)  American Cockroaches are the largest cockroach species which infest dwellings and can reach lengths of 1 1/2 inches. The American is quite rare in this state and most infestations are brought in with produce or in the furniture of persons moving from warmer climates. When established, these roaches prefer warm, moist environments. In the south, they are abundant in sewer systems, damp basements and poorly ventilated warehouses.

Oriental Cockroaches are relatively uncommon in Washington and are most often found in the eastern part of the state. It is more commonly found in restaurants and other commercial buildings than in residences. It tends to prefer cool, moist areas wherever it occurs. The oriental feeds on a wide range of decaying organic matter and has the reputation of being the filthiest of the household infesting cockroach species.

(click on picture to enlarge) The German Cockroach is the most commonly encountered cockroach in apartments, restaurants, hospitals, or other buildings in which food is stored, prepared, or served throughout the Pacific Northwest. Under ideal conditions, adults may live up to 12 months. The German produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three or four) than other cockroaches, and thus a troublesome infestation can rapidly develop after the introduction of a few individuals. These cockroaches are often accidentally introduced into buildings with groceries, beverage cartons, and used furniture and appliances. Adults may also migrate from nearby infested dwellings. Most migration occurs along plumbing or utility tunnels or between apartments in structures. German cockroaches normally inhabit the kitchen and bathroom but will also occur in other rooms, especially if infestations are heavy. During the day these roaches may be found hiding clustered closely together under, around or even in the insulation found in the walls of appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers; around sinks; beneath or around water heaters; in cracks around , under, or inside cabinets, closets and pantries; and behind baseboard moldings. Other places may include telephones, toasters, coffee makers, and other small appliances, behind pictures, wall hangings or electric clocks.