Hobbies And Interests
German Cockroach
Measuring only half an inch once fully grown, the German cockroach is the most common roach in the United States and worldwide. It is also the most prolific breeder; females can produce up to 30,000 offspring in a year. Each German roach egg capsule holds up to 40 eggs, and these eggs develop from baby to adult in as little as 45 days. This roach is light brown to yellow-brown in color and has two dark brown stripes behind its head. German roaches live up to 12 months and are most commonly found in apartment complexes and restaurants where water and food is prevalent.
American Cockroach
Also known as a palmetto bug or water bug, the American cockroach is the only species native to the U.S. It is the largest cockroach found in homes and measures about an inch and a half once fully matured. This roach is reddish-brown to brown in color and recognizable by a small figure-eight pattern found on its shield. Both male and female American roaches have wings and are able to fly short distances. These roaches prefer warm, humid environments and are common in zoos and kennels, as well as sewage systems and the lower floors of buildings. American cockroaches live up to two years.
Oriental Cockroach
Oriental roaches prefer cooler temperatures than their cockroach counterparts and most often take up residence in woodpiles, trash cans or basements or under vegetation like ivy, shrubs and ground cover. Male and female Oriental cockroaches differ greatly in appearance. Males are small, growing to only half an inch and are a deep red or brown color. Females, however, are black and can reach nearly an inch and a quarter in size. Males have fully developed wings, while females have wing stubs; neither can fly. Females and their subsequent offspring can produce nearly 200 cockroaches annually. Oriental cockroaches are also known as black beetles or water bugs.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
This cockroach lives exclusively indoors and is most prevalent near the warm electrical components of appliances as it does not require as much moisture as other roach types. Brown-banded males and females also differ in appearance. Males are dark brown at their base and fade into a lighter brown at the nape, whereas females are a deep reddish-brown color. Both have light brown bands that run across their wings and grow to about half an inch in length. Males are known to jump when disturbed. A female brown-banded roach and her offspring may produce as many as 600 additional roaches per year.