Cockroaches belong to the category of polyphagous, saprophagous insects. Their main food is plant and animal materials such as food, garbage, animal feed, dead insects and other animals. They prefer to live and breed in dark and damp places with access to water. We also find them in warehouses and houses as there they find a favorable temperature and plenty of food. With the right conditions they live and reproduce almost all year round while they cannot survive in cold temperatures.
These insects cause allergies and allergic reactions that are usually manifested by:
- Nasal symptoms such as allergic rhinitis
- Bronchial symptoms for example allergic asthma
- Symptoms on the skin with the appearance of an allergic rash
Also, infectious hepatitis and polio viruses have been found and proven to be transmitted with the help of cockroaches.
Below you can read in detail the 3 types of cockroaches and their special characteristics
American Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)
This particular species of cockroach varies in size as it ranges between 2.7 to 5.5 centimeters. Their shape is flat and oval, they have spiny legs and long antennae. They have wings that are brown-red in color. Nymphs of this species do not have wings but fly extremely fast.
Adult cockroaches of this species can survive up to 3 months without food and up to a month without water. The ideal temperature for them to survive and reproduce is above 21 ºC. It avoids light and therefore it is found in dark and wet places such as sewers, sinks, toilet pipes etc.
German Cockroach (Blattella Germanica)
This particular species of cockroach is quite small as its size ranges from 1.3 to 1.7 cm. Their color is light brown with dark patches on their chest. Although they have wings they will only use them when disturbed.
Female cockroaches during reproduction carry an egg sac for 2-4 weeks and the eggs hatch in about 20 days. The ideal temperature for this species is 25 °C, which is why we find them mainly in the spring. They can live from 6 to 12 months.
This particular species is usually found in houses, apartments, restaurants, hospitals, etc., which is why they have also been characterized as "domestic cockroaches".
Because they have a very high need for moisture, they mainly prefer bathrooms and kitchens.
The specific species are omnivores and scavengers. If they are left without food they can also show cannibalistic tendencies.
Oriental Cockroach (Blatta Orientalis)
The oriental cockroach is found in the warm periods of the year (May, June, July). Their size varies between 2.7 and 3.4 cm. Their color is brown or black and their legs are usually reddish-brown. Although this species does not fly, it can climb vertically even on smooth surfaces.
They usually prefer to live in cold basements, uninhabited buildings and unheated spaces. They feed on decaying organic matter and are therefore considered the dirtiest type of cockroach.
During their reproduction, the female cockroach lays 16 eggs which are in the hatching phase for about 60 days. The average lifespan of females of this species is from 1-6 months and they are very needy of food and water. If they do not have access to water they will die within 2 weeks and if they are not fed they will die within a month.
To combat cockroaches, we choose a spray or gel depending on the type of cockroach and where the infestation has been found.
The specialized staff of Biodynamics always uses certified and safe chemical preparations strictly following the manufacturer's safety data sheets and approvals.
