Key Features of Cockroaches
Cockroaches have distinguishing long whip like antennae, flat oval bodies and rapid, jerky gait. The adult German cockroach measures approximately 10 to 15mm long whilst the adult Oriental cockroach is substantially bigger and can measure anywhere from 20 to 24mm long.
Because of the British climate, they are rarely able to survive outdoors but thrive in the warmer humid indoor conditions which are found around the heating ducts and boiler rooms of large centrally heated buildings e.g. hospital, bakeries, hotels and restaurants.
They can often be found in clusters around sinks, stoves and pipes.
Biology
The German cockroach will have 30 or more nymphs which have from its egg case which is a small brown purse-like capsule.
The Oriental cockroach will deposit a 13mm long egg capsule on either packaging, sacking or in a suitable dark crevice. 16 or 18 nymphs will then hatch out.
Cockroaches will grow in distinct stages. These range from “mini cockroach” nymphs to full maturity in a period ranging from six to 12 months for the Oriental cockroach. The German cockroach on the other hand can mature in the much shorter period of time of only 6-12 weeks.
Both German and Oriental cockroaches will emerge from their inaccessible resting places to forage and to eat any type of food. They contaminate food, utensils and food preparation surfaces as they go and taint food with an obnoxious smell.
The establishment of an infestation extremely easy as both adults and nymphal stage Cockroaches feed on the same type of food. They also have the potential to carry a wide range of diseases.
