Common cockroach species

There are over 4,000 different species of cockroaches across the planet of which only about 40 species are considered pests while others have seen to be beneficial in their natural habitats.

Cockroaches in India can be a menace and repellent sprays are often seen to treat the symptoms - i.e. repelling cockroaches temporarily from entering your premises - and not the cure - i.e. to eliminate their breeding ground for good.

Discover the various types of cockroaches in India.

Locations of cockroach infestations

Identifying the location of a cockroach infestation can depend greatly on the species of cockroach that has invaded your property. As mentioned above, some cockroach types prefer warm and humid areas, whilst others can tolerate cooler conditions.

Check bathrooms - right at the back of bathroom cabinets (especially if they are full of soaps and toiletry products that have been stored for a while) or medicine cabinets. Check plumbing behind sinks, baths and toilets, anywhere they can hide in sheltered dark spaces with access to water even if it's simply condensation. Cockroaches will happily eat soap residue, toilet paper and tissues - even shed skin cells and hair.
Check kitchens - look in cupboards and cabinets, pay particular attention to hidden areas with pipework such as under sinks and behind dishwashers. Sometimes cockroaches can be found in the upper inside corner of cupboards, hanging upside down out of sight. Nooks and crannies of appliances with motors, offering warmth and hidden crevices like backs of cookers, fridges and freezers are another area to check carefully. Even smaller kitchen appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, toasters and blenders could harbour cockroaches.
Check laundry rooms - cupboards under sinks, where plumbing enters through walls or floors leading to washing machines and tumble dryers. Also check warm areas near the motors at the back of washers and dryers.
Check basements - search along the base and corner joints of walls in cellars for any gaps cockroaches could squeeze through. Cracks in wood baseboards or floor cavities are opportune areas for them to hide. Cockroaches will hide in and eat cardboard and newspapers, so check boxes and piles of paper stored for long periods of time.
Check drain - as some species like Oriental cockroaches can survive in drier, cooler areas. Look around down pipes for cracks and crevices they might hide in, as well as damaged drain covers they could scuttle through. Other areas to check are pipe ducts and any opening beneath porches or decking. Undisturbed areas of garages and outbuildings may also offer shelter to Oriental cockroaches. They are also known to survive in rubbish tips.

Need to eliminate a cockroach infestation?

If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your property, you should arrange for professional treatments to get rid of cockroaches quickly. Call us today on 1800-212-212-5 or contact us online to eliminate cockroach infestations!

German cockroach

(Blattella germanica)

Appearance

Adult is 10 – 15 mm in length.
Pronotum (head shield) has 2 dark longitude stripes.
Male is light yellowish brown in colour with longer tongue shaped body.
Female is darker in colour with plump abdomen.

Lifecycle

Female produces 4 – 9 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 37 – 44 eggs.
Nymphs take 30 – 60 days to mature into adults.
Adult life cycle is more than 100 days.

Habits

Major pest in restaurants, hotels and apartments.
Prefers dark and secluded areas to harbourage such as under the cupboard and behind a refrigerator.

How to get rid of cockroaches

American cockroach

(Periplaneta americana)

Appearance

Adult is 35 – 40 mm in length, one of the largest pest cockroaches.
Shining red to chocolate brown in colour.

Lifecycle

Female produces 10 – 90 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 14 – 28 eggs.
Nymphs take 150 days to develop into adults.
Adult life cycle is 100 days to 3 years.