Brown banded cockroaches get their name from the two lighter bands
they have across their dark brownish bodies. In addition to the distinctive
banding, males have full wings, which reach beyond the tip of their
rather pointed abdomens, but females have underdeveloped wings, much
shorter than their broad, rounded abdomens. The lighter band markings
are much more distinct in nymphs than in adults of either sex.
Habits
Male brownbanded cockroaches have been observed to fly indoors. Among cockroach species, brownbanded cockroaches have the most distinctions between sexes. Females have larger abdomen and shorter wings than males. Brownbanded cockroaches often hide their egg cases in or under furniture.
Habitat
Within a room, these roaches tend to prefer warmer,
drier, and higher locations than do any of the other
urban pest roaches. They are often found in upper
cabinets or in other rooms than the kitchens (food
preparation areas) or bathrooms.
Threats
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least
33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms,
and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens.
They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs
and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter
or sewage and then carry these into food or onto
food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying
matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies
and may remain infective for several weeks longer
than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents,
rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Recent
medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens
cause lots of allergic reactions in inner city children.
They were even shown to cause asthma in children.
These allergens build up in deposits of droppings,
secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.
Prevention:
Good sanitation and habitat reduction, along with
vacuuming, surveillance, a baiting program, and some
sealing of cracks can usually quickly reduce or eliminate
a cockroach population.on.
Call today for a no cost inspection of your home. 1-800-560- ABELL (2235)
