Pest Expert Overview: American Cockroaches in Bryan & College Station
American cockroaches are also known as waterbugs or palmettobugs. They are the most commonly found large cockroach species in College Station, Coppell, Dallas, and other areas in Texas. American cockroaches are about 2 inches in length as adults and have the ability to fly. Another commonly found species of large cockroach is the smokybrown cockroach. They are much darker and more uniform in color, but approximately the same size and shape as the American cockroach.
American Cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, are in are in the Order Blattodea and the Family Blattidae. They are found all over the world and, even though they are called American Cockroaches, they probably originated in tropical regions of Africa and were transported to the Americas aboard slave ships.
Life Cycle
Cockroaches develop gradually, meaning the newly hatched nymphs appear similar to adults and grow with each successive molt, until reaching adulthood. The nymphs don’t have fully developed wings and can’t fly. Adult females can lay as many as 10 egg cases with 16 eggs each during their 1 year lifetime. Egg cases are stuck in cracks and crevices and hatch after about 6 weeks. The nymphs take around 6 months to develop into adults. American cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers. They will eat nearly anything from fruit to decaying animal material. They prefer dark, damp areas and are commonly found both outside and inside structures.
Why are they Pests?
They are beneficial in that they help break down decaying waste and organic matter. However, their association with sewers and various other nasty environments means that they can move disease causing bacteria, fungi, and nematodes from those areas to areas where we live and eat. They also can soil indoor areas with their feces and they have a foul odor.
American Cockroach Prevention
There are several things homeowners can do to help with prevention and control of American Cockroaches. Eliminating damp areas inside and outside your home can help limit the number of American cockroaches that can invade. Get rid of dead, decaying leaves, keep compost piles away from your house, avoid over watering lawns, and repair any leaks inside or out. Minimizing the amount of outside lighting can reduce the number of cockroaches flying to your house at night. Finally, practice good sanitation inside and out. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out and make sure you regularly remove any trash.
Professional American Cockroach Control
If you are dealing with an infestation of American cockroaches, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
