Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of the common household pests that are commonly found in and around homes, business establishments, and warehouses. They are able to transmit bacteria and viruses through their legs by stepping on food, dishes, utentils, and cupboards. They are known to spread and cause Salmonella, E. Coli, Dysentry, Diarrhea, and Food Poisoning.

• American Cockroach
  American Cockroaches grow to about 4 centimetres with a height of 7 millimetres. They are reddish brown in colour. Nymphs resemble similarly to a full adult but they are wingless. Despite their size, they can fit into small cracks and under doors. This cockroach specie is often active at night. They tend to live in moist places with a preference for warm temperatures. They feed on anything left unattended, especially unkempt places left uncleaned.
  
  
• Oriental Cockroach
  

  Oriental Cockroaches grow to an average 18 – 27 millimetres. They are characterized as being dark brown with a glossy body. Females have a wider body than males. Their wings are non-functional, unlike males with a slimmer body and long wings. They have a preference for dark and moist places and are commonly found in sewers and drainages.

• German Cockroach
  German Cockroaches are considered to be the hardest to control of the three. Infestations are commonly large. They grow between 12 – 16 centimetres and have a light brown colour. They rarely fly despite them having wings. The reproduction is fast, having 30-48 nymphs in one ootheca. A single female German Cockroach can produce 20,000 nymphs annually. They have a preference for humid temperatures and are commonly found in restaurants, where they thrive in kitchens and unkempt stock rooms. They are often in groups and are known to cause damage to appliances.