The Oriental Roach

Your Chicagoland Guide on Oriental Roaches

The Breakdown

COLOR	SIZE	LEGS	DANGER/DESTRUCTION RATING
Shiny Black / Dark Brown	25-32 mm	Six	Moderate – HIGH

The Oriental Roach

Oriental cockroaches range from a shiny black color to dark red brown. The adult males are about 25 mm and have wings, although they lack the ability to actually fly. The adult females are a few mm longer and have no wings.

These pests usually get into homes through cracks, pipes or straight through your door. Oriental cockroaches love climbing through garbage, sewers or any other filth, especially if it is decaying. They are also known to be very fond of water, and can’t live for more than two weeks without it, although they can survive over a month without food.

These specific roaches are also known to be the reason for many food-borne pathogens such as E.coli and salmonella. When they crawl through sewage or other dirty areas, their legs and bodies become contaminated with germs and when they make their way to clean surfaces or food, they contaminate it.

Signs of an Infestation

If the weather is heating up and you start seeing oriental roaches in moist areas, chances are you have an infestation. When outdoors, these roaches hang out in gutters, flower beds, and storm drains. Indoors, they stay in areas that are dark, quiet, and moist. If you have an infestation, you may notice egg capsules in these areas that are dark brown or reddish in color. Each capsule holds about 16 eggs and are about 8-10 mm long. Along with the dozens of roaches and egg capsules, there will be an accompanying smell. Oriental roaches release chemicals that have a musty odor which is used to communicate with the rest of their clan.

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Understanding the Seasons

Weather has a profound effect on pest life cycle. Most pests, rodents and insects breed aggressively during spring and go through periods of hibernation during autumn and winter.

Spring

When the weather slowly begins to heat up, pests start to get more active after having stayed dormant over the colder winter months.

Birds often start to find mates and start building their nests.
Moths which consumer leaves usually become active again.
Flies often emerge from their winter hibernation places and start to breed and spread out.
Squirrels also spend the winter in hibernation. When spring approaches these creatures start looking for a new home. This is usually the time when they make their way into lofts and other spaces.

Summer

Summer is arguably the best season for pests. It is the time when they are in full swing and breed as rapidly as they can. Wasps are one of the most common summer pests followed by flies and rodents. Many a summer picnics and BBQs have been ruined by the ‘home invasion’ of these pests.

Wasps build their nesting grounds and lay their eggs during this time. Although the creatures are not directly harmful, they can be very aggressive and territorial at this time of the year, because they’re at their strongest.
The number of fleas also multiplies. Since pets spend more time outdoors during summer, they are more likely to bring the pests back indoors with them.
Bees are also more active during summer as they go out to gather nectar. Many times, homeowners find a new beehive in their garden and require pest control to take care of it. Because of their sting, bees are more dangerous than some of the other pests and you should call our professional service to get rid of them.
Moths and flies usually start to multiply significantly during summer.
Ants begin to swarm to find new mates and start new colonies during summer.
Cockroaches become very noticeable in the summer, especially in the kitchen and toilets. This is due to the hotter temperatures and stronger smells.
Bedbugs are also very active in the summer.

Autumn

Autumn is the month when things start to get cooler. The number of pests starts to dwindle as they begin to slow down their breeding activities.

Wasps start becoming dozy and docile. You may find them buzzing around occasionally as if they are drunk. This is usually the end-time for their life.
Spiders in particular are more active at this time of the year.
Squirrels will gather their food and start to look for shelter.
The second breeding phase for flies begins. These pests remain active during the season.
Rodents also become more active. Due to the approaching cold, rodents usually find shelter inside homes in the loft or inside walls.

Winter

The coldest months are when pests seek out warmth and shelter. You will find a number of insects especially rodents and lizards make their way inside your home.

Spiders come into our homes to escape the web-destroying frosts.
Rodents move indoors to escape the cold, increasing infestations.
In many cases, homeowners find squirrels nesting in lofts when they go to get their Christmas decorations.