COCKROACHES

1. German Cockroach
2. American Cockroach
3. Brown-banded Cockroach
4. Oriental Cockroach

Cockroaches that are found in Canada can reach a length between 0.5 to 5 cm, all with six legs, two antennae that shoot forward and a face that points downward. Colours can range from brown, reddish-brown, blackish-brown, and black. A recently molted cockroach will appear white, gradually tanning by the hour and getting their distinctive patterns depending on species. Only 1 % of cockroach species are considered pests. 

GROUPING:

Cockroaches do not live in colonies or nests but they are social insects and and can be seen moving in groups or "intrusions." This is because of the pheromone secretion that cockroaches use to communicate with each other regarding safe places to hide or mating.

DIET:

A cockroach diet is rather vast with the creatures being able to consume almost anything, even plants or other animals, but their preferences usually include anything sweet, greasy, starchy, or any meat.

LIFECYCLE:

All cockroaches will go through metamorphosis, sectioned into the three stages of the egg, nymph, and adult. Most cockroaches mate sexually but some can asexually reproduce (parthenogenesis). Most eggs can hatch outside of a female cockroach (oviparous), inside of cockroach (ovoviviparous), or develop inside and are born (viviparous). 

Oviparous cockroaches will find a safe and protected area to leave their ootheca (egg case) where they will hatch a few weeks or a few months later.

Ovoviviparous cockroaches will suspend the egg development while the young develop inside uterus. Then they will hatch directly from the female and exit out. Some cockroaches might carry ootheca outside of body but have it attached to them until the young hatch which usually takes 21 days.

Cockroaches thrive in regulated temperatures, high humidity, and anywhere humans can live. Cockroaches can love in caves, tree hollows, rotting leaves, dying logs, plants, or in the nests of other creatures. They can live up to a year and one cockroach can lay up to 360 eggs in her lifetime. All cockroaches are nocturnal with some males having the ability to fly, most being able to swim, and nearly all have the ability to walk up walls and on ceilings.

Cockroaches due have the ability to bite humans have been reported doing so. This occurs when the amount of food has run out or become insufficient due to overgrowth of an intrusion. Cockroaches carry many pathogens and bacteria on them so a cockroach bite can become infected and cause irritation. The bites can sometimes go unnoticed for long periods of time or be mistaken for bed bug bites. On the rare occasions that cockroaches due bite humans they mostly target the fingernail beds, rough skin on feet and palms, and eyelashes.

There are many consequences to having cockroaches. Restaurants, hotels, apartments and such suffer greatly economically from cockroaches. They have also been reported to violate electronic equipment, seeking shelter but their secretions and excrements end up damaging the circuits. Cockroaches carry many bacteria and pathogens on their bodies and can pass them along through physical contact, biting, or through their excrements. Cockroaches commonly roam from trash to homes where they share pathogens where ever they go, including the pathogens responsible for food poisoning, UTIs, and leprosy. Cockroaches have been have been discovered to be a source of indoor allergens and through exposure to them could lead many people to develop intense asthma. These pests also have the ability to secrete an acidic substance in self defense that can cause an intense burning feeling on the skin, nausea, and loss of balance. Some have been been reported to burrow into the ear canals of a few people and cause infections and pain.

Cockroaches commonly infest areas like hospital and animal production factories where they feed off what they can find and contaminate food, food utensils, or used medical equipment. They damage property, can bring medically concerning microbes people, and cause an incredible amount of stress.

The ways a person can identify if their home is infested is finding cockroach feces that look like small pepper-sized droplets. If there is also a very unpleasant odour present in the household, that most likely could be because of cockroaches, too, as their secretions, excrement, and substance they spew from their mouth while eating can provoke an extremely nasty smell. These fluids are also how cockroaches are able to stain anything they contiguously touch, so looking out for these dark patches with horrible smells is important.

Cockroaches are an invasive pest that can make a person feel helpless and that can lead to excessive stress and anxiety when dealing with an infestation. If a cockroach infestation is discovered, it is extremely important that professional intervention is sought out.

Make sure to clean up spills or any messes immediately and properly. Repair any loose taps or leaks in the home. Any cracks or gaps in the house structure should be sealed as cockroaches can easily get into a home thanks to their flattened build. Finally, ensure the home is kept clean and tidy, sanitizing routinely and deep cleaning every few months.