Saturday, 31 January 2015

Chapter 2 : COCKROACHES

COCKROACHES


  • Member class of Insecta. It has three-stage life cycle consisting egg, nymph and adult (incomplete metamorphosis)


  • Hardiness species - withstand radiation doses 50 times which can kill a human and reliable to be source of allergens to many people.


  • Harbor in cracks and crevices in and around human habitats.  They travel between sources of disease pathogens (toilet, sewers, garbage) and food intended for human consumption.
  • Carry Salmonella typhimurium, Entamoeba histolytica and virus for poliomyelitis.


  • They carry the organisms on their feet, body hairs and mouthparts and in their intestines.
  • Eat almost anything.
  • Like starchy items such as cereals, bakery products and bookbinding's.
  • Also feed upon beer, cheese, leather and dead animals.
  • They discharge a nauseating liquid from mouth and thoracic glands which imparts an unsavory odor and taste into infested food.


  • They vomit partly digested food from their mouths and defecate while feeding, both of which are loaded with microorganisms.
  •  Do not fly but can move by gliding motion.
  • Most cockroaches are active at night, appearing during daylight only if disturbed or very hungry.
  • Prefer live in warm, moist area such as cracks and crevices near stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, coffee urns and warm water pipes.

Fact about cockroaches



  • Have been around since the time of dinosaurs!
  • Can live almost a month without food.
  • Can live about two weeks without water.
  • Some female cockroaches only mate once and stay pregnant for life!
  • Can live for up to one week without its head!
  • Can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes!
  • Can run up to 3 miles an hour.

American cockroaches

Identification

  • The largest of the cockroach pest species, the body of an adult American cockroach is 1.5 to 2 inches in length.
  • Color: reddish brown, with a yellowish band behind the head.

Habitat
  • Subfloor, basement, in sewers and other warm, dark, moist locations.
  • They avoid cold areas but will thrive outdoors in temperatures above 80F.
  • Indoors they often congregate around hot water pipes, fridge motors, boilers and other heating appliances.

Rapid breeding cycle

  • The female life span up to 1.5 years.
  • Incubation period of eggs 6 to 8 weeks.

American cockroaches is most cockroaches that we can find in malaysia.. 


German cockroaches


  • Most common found in restaurants, homes and hotels.  German cockroaches (eggs included), are "brought in", usually on man's belongings, luggage, boxes or packages.
  • All it takes, is bringing in one egg capsule, six months later you do have an infestation.

Appearance

  • Adults are 1/2 inch- 5/8 inch long,
  • Light to medium brown with 2 dark distinctive stripes behind the head.
The young (nymphs) are wingless, smaller and much darker in color, with a light stripe on their backs. 


German Roach Diet

  • Will eat anything, will stay close to food and water source
  • German cockroach infestations usually occur in bathrooms and kitchens. They like to hide-out during the day in tight secure places.
  • Daytime harborage areas are usually near a food and moisture source, such as, inside wall cavities, behind baseboards, cracks and crevices in pantry, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, and under electrical, heating and cooking appliances.





Oriental cockroaches

  • Dark brown or black species.
  • Less domesticated than most species.
  • Habitat include sewers, damp basement, outbuildings etc.
  • Have strong, repulsive odor.
  • Longest life cycle
  • Tends to favor colder climates.

Fact about roaches
  • Cockroaches are among the hardiest insects on the planet.
  • Some species capable of remaining active for a month without food.
  • Some can go without air for 45 minutes or slow down their heart rate.
  • Cockroaches were able to recover from being submerged underwater for half an hour.



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