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Cockroaches are arthropods of the order Blattodea, which also includes the wood-destroying insects' termites. There are fossil remains of cockroaches dating back over three hundred million years, making them one of the oldest insects. Currently, there are 4,600 species of cockroaches worldwide which are very hardy nocturnal social insects that can tolerate a broad range of climates, from the Arctic cold to the tropical heat. Four of these species, the American cockroach, German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and Brown-banded cockroach, are regarded as pests in Long Island, New York. Cockroaches are generic insects with hardly any extraordinary adaptations, and they may be among the most primitive living Neopteran insects. Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers that will feed on a wide variety of comestibles, including dead insects, fruit, bread, glue, hair, and starch in book bindings.
Cockroaches have a comparatively small head and a flattened oval body, and the majority of the species are reddish-brown, dark brown, light brown, or black.
Cockroaches have two large compound eyes, two simple eyes, and two long flexible antennae.
Cockroach mouthparts are located on the underside of the insect's head.
Cockroaches have a wax-coated exoskeleton that repels water and contains calcium carbonate, protecting the internal organs and providing for the attachment of muscles.
Cockroaches have a thorax that is divided into three segments and an abdomen that is divided into ten parts.
Cockroach wings are attached to the second and third thoracic segments. The tegmina or fore wings protect the more vulnerable membranous hind wings used in flight.
Cockroaches have three pairs of legs that are attached to each of the three thoracic segments. The front legs, called the prothoracic legs, are the shortest. The middle legs are known as the mesothoracic legs. The rear legs, which are the longest, are referred to as the mesothoracic legs and provide the primary driving power when the cockroach runs. The spines on the legs assist the cockroach with moving over rugged terrain.
The cockroach life cycle is made up of three developmental stages, the egg, nymph, and adult stage. Female cockroaches carry an egg case called an ootheca on the end of their abdomens and will drop the egg case containing thirty to forty eggs prior to hatching. Development from eggs to adults usually occurs in three to four months, and the life expectancy of a cockroach is one year. A female cockroach may produce up to eight egg cases in its lifetime, potentially giving rise to three to four hundred offspring.
American Cockroach - Despite their name, they are not native to the Americas. The American cockroach is indigenous to Africa and the Middle East. These roaches are reddish-brown to dark brown with faded yellow edges on their thorax. They are the largest cockroach species, with adults reaching 1-1/2 to 2 inches in length. The wings of this insect cover their abdomens, and they can fly for short distances. American cockroaches forage for food, mainly on the first floors of buildings, and they thrive in dark, warm, and damp basements.
Brown-Banded Cockroach -These cockroaches are believed to have originated in Africa. Brown-banded cockroaches are a small cockroach species with adults measuring 1/2" in length. They are tan to light brown and have two light-colored bands across their wings and abdomen. The male roach has wings that cover their abdomen and can fly, while the female has wings that don't completely cover their abdomen and are not capable of flight.
German Cockroach - Previously thought to be native to Europe, more recent evidence suggests that it originated in Southeast Asia. These cockroaches are tan to light brown, with two black stripes running lengthwise on their backs. Adults reach 5/8 inch in length. Both male and female cockroaches have wings extending to the end of their abdomens, but they do not fly. The German cockroach is the most common species of the four household-infesting cockroaches.
Oriental Cockroach - Despite their name, these insects are believed to have originated from North Africa or Russia. These roaches are black or dark brown. Female cockroaches have tiny non-functional wings just below their head. Male roaches have short wings that do not entirely cover their abdomen. Both male and female Oriental cockroaches are flightless. Adult females may reach 1-1 /4 inches in length, while males are generally about one inch long.
There is a large array of pest control products available to consumers to get rid of cockroaches, and none of them ever live up to the manufacturer's claims. Unfortunately, most of these products have a limited impact in combating resilient insects that are prolific breeders. Gel baits are the primary products used for indoor cockroach control by most professional pest control services, and they, too, don't resolve a cockroach infestation. According to a study conducted by entomologists from Purdue University, cockroaches are becoming more and more resistant to pesticides, clearing the way for a near future in which it will be nearly impossible to control them with chemicals alone. The researchers found that cockroaches can evolve resistance to insecticides. Cockroaches have a life expectancy of about one hundred days so that resistance can develop quickly, with genes from the most resistant roaches being passed to the next generation. Once the cockroaches have endured one type of insecticide, they become better equipped to resist multiple classes or varieties of pesticides to which they have not been previously exposed to. Pesticide-resistant cockroaches pass down their immunity to their offspring.
Getting rid of a cockroach infestation at a Long Island home or business can be a complicated process. In the absence of the proper training, equipment, and pesticides, the eradication of an infestation of cockroaches from your Long Island residence or business is a project that is sure to fail. Therefore, you should contact the Long Island cockroach exterminating experts at Long Island Pest Control. Our Long Island cockroach control professionals, have a vast knowledge of cockroach control methods and many years of experience locating and safely exterminating cockroach colonies.
