Oriental Cockroach: A Common Pest

## Appearance

The oriental cockroach has a round and flattened body that is either dark brown or black in color. The adult male is smaller than the female, measuring about 2.5 cm in length, while the female can reach up to 3.2 cm. The male also has wings that cover about a third of its abdomen, but neither sex can fly. The female has only small wing pads and a broader body. The nymphs, or immature stages, are wingless and look similar to the adults, but are darker in color.

## Behavior

They are nocturnal insect that prefers cool and damp environments. It can be found outdoors in trash cans, sewers, leaf piles, or under stones. In some regions, it can also inhabit caves where bats live. During the fall, it may migrate indoors in search of food and shelter, especially in unheated buildings. It tends to stay on the lower floors or in the basement, near water pipes, drains, sinks, refrigerators, or washing machines. It is not very active and moves slower than other cockroaches.

## Diet

Omnivorous scavenger that feeds on a variety of organic matter, including plants, animals, garbage, and filth. It has a preference for starchy foods and decaying materials. It can survive up to a month without food, but only two weeks without water.

## Reproduction

The female oriental cockroach produces one to eight egg cases during her lifetime, each containing 14 to 16 eggs. She carries the egg case for 12 hours to five days before depositing it in a protected, warm, and moist location. The eggs hatch after 42 to 81 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. The nymphs molt seven times before reaching adulthood, which takes about a year. The adult oriental cockroach can live from 34 to 180 days.

## Prevention Tips

The oriental cockroach is a pest that can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, fungi, parasites, and allergens that can cause diseases or allergic reactions in humans. Therefore, it is important to prevent their infestation by following some simple steps:

– Seal any cracks or gaps in walls, floors, doors, or windows that can allow them to enter.
– Eliminate any sources of moisture or standing water that can attract them.
– Keep trash cans clean and covered and dispose of garbage regularly.
– Store food in sealed containers and clean up any spills or crumbs promptly.
– Vacuum or sweep floors and carpets frequently to remove any food particles or debris.
– Use pest control products such as baits, traps, sprays, or dusts to kill or repel them.

One option for natural pest control is to use diatomaceous earth (DE), which is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. DE can dehydrate and kill cockroaches by damaging their exoskeletons when they come in contact with it. However, DE should be used with caution as it can also irritate the eyes or lungs of humans and pets if inhaled.

By following these tips, you can reduce the chances of having an oriental cockroach infestation at home and protect your health and property from these unwanted pests.