Biology:
Egg cases are carried by the female until just before hatching and each female may produce four to six cases during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days, and nymphs develop in 40 to 125 days. Female cockroaches live about 200 days (slightly longer than the male). The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three to four) than any other cockroach, and only a few individuals are needed to develop into troublesome cockroach infestations.

Pest Control Treatment:
An integrated approach involving the use of cockroach traps, insecticidal cockroach gels and well targeted use of residual insecticides where appropriate is recommended. Night time inspections may be necessary in difficult to control infestation situations.

Cockroach treatments are generally very intense.

The beetles are about 2 – 3mm long and light brown to red brown in colour. Their bodies are covered with fine, silky hairs, and they have distinct grooves in their wing covers which can easily separate them from Tobacco beetle. Biscuit Beetles have antenna that end in three enlarged segments.

Biology:

Similar to Tobacco Beetle.

Control:

The first step in control of the tobacco and biscuit beetles is to find the source of the infestation. This means inspecting all of the dried foods in the infested cabinets or drawers. Once the infested material is found, it should be destroyed. Insect Monitors are essential in commercial situations to highlight infestations. Infested commodities can be treated (usually be fumigation) or destroyed, whilst the building fabric can be treated with residual insecticides.

Usually dark reddish brown in colour, the adults are about 25mm long and the immature cockroaches (nymphs) resemble adults except that they are wingless.

Biology:

Unlike other pest cockroaches, Oriental’s cannot climb up smooth surfaces. Oriental cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They tend to prefer cooler temperatures and thus are common in basements, boiler houses and walkways adjacent to buildings. The Oriental cockroach breeds well in unventilated crawl spaces or basements where humidity is high. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produce an average of 150 young. This cockroach prefers to feed on starchy foods but will adapt to survive.

Control:

Use of monitoring traps to physically catch and determine the extent and distribution of an infestation, along with insecticidal gels and well targeted use of residual insecticides where appropriate is recommended.

Adult American cockroaches are reddish-brown to dark brown (except for a tan or light yellow band around the shield behind the head); about 25 – 40mm long, they have wings capable of flight.

Biology:

They are often found in damp sewers and basements, in heating ducts under hospitals etc. They can be transported into homes in boxes from infested premises. Egg capsules protrude from the body before being deposited prior to hatching. One egg capsule is formed each week until 6 to 14 have been produced.

Control:

As with all the cockroach species, a combination of cockroach traps, gels and residual insecticides is the main approach. The effectiveness of the various residual insecticide formulations may be enhanced by using them in conjunction with insecticides applied as ULVs, mists, fogs or aerosols.

Biology:
The beetles are up to 3.5mm in length and have a thin waist, large abdomen and long legs, giving the insects its spider-like appearance.

Control:
The source of infestation should be traced and eliminated. Old bird’s nests/infested food stuffs etc. should be removed and destroyed. Good hygiene practices, stock rotation, quarantine of inbound stock and monitoring should be considered. Fumigation, residual spraying, dusting and temperature / atmospheric control may be applicable.

Biology:
Although humans are the preferred host, bed bugs feed on many warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs usually hide in cracks or mattresses during the day and emerge at night to feed. They inject saliva as they feed and allergic reaction to this substance often causes slightly delayed swelling, itching and burning. Under favourable conditions, each female lays 200 to 500 eggs and at temperatures above 21°C these hatch in 6 to 17 days. Adults often survive up to 2 months without food, but under certain circumstances can live a year or more without feeding.

Control:
The first step to dealing with bed bugs is to locate all of their hiding places. Furniture, fittings and even crevices in wallpaper must be inspected carefully, even to the point of dismantling beds etc for easier inspection and possible treatment. Applications are best done as a “crack and crevice” treatment to known or potential harbourages, as well as using a broad band residual insecticide through a coarse sprayer or as an Ultra Low Volume Insecticide for the rest of the room. Products containing insect growth regulators can also aid control.

Control:
It should be noted that complete riddance is often difficult. Thoroughly air and dry the infested area as this will prevent the development of the microscopic moulds that Psocids feed on. Clean the infested area with a dry cloth or by vacuuming. Where the infestation is extensive, a residual insecticide can be applied to the cracks and crevices of the affected area.

Biology:
Brown-banded cockroaches are found in all parts of the home, and seem to prefer hiding places off the floor. The insects prefer a warmer environment than German cockroaches and are therefore not as common in the UK.

Control:
As with all the cockroach species, a combination of cockroach traps, gels and residual insecticides is the main approach. The effectiveness of the various residual insecticide formulations may be enhanced by using them in conjunction with insecticides applied as ULVs, mists, fogs or aerosols.