What's a Pest?
What is a pest? The dictionary will define it as something (insect or animal) destructive that attacks our food, crops, homes, etc. For us who have had to deal with them, it's simply one word, roaches. They are indeed destructive to our homes and way of life. They eat our food and settle in wherever it suits them. However with there being thousands of different species of roaches, which ones do you need to be wary of?
Are all cockroaches pests?
There are currently over 3500 known species of cockroaches on this planet. But that doesn't mean all of them are pests. Not all of them are interested in causing us pain and destruction. In fact, only four species out of over 3500 are known to be pests. Sure the other 3496 can sometimes make their way around or in our house, but that's on rare occasions only.
The four species that are commonly known to be pests to us are:
• German cockroaches
• American cockroaches
• Asian cockroaches
• Brown banded cockroaches
From a distance or to the untrained eyes, these are practically one cockroach. The truth is they are four different species. Each with their own uniqueness that allows us to identify them If we take a closer look.
Why does It matter which roach is which? At first it may seem like it doesn't. Which is true to some extent. What will kill a german cockroach will most likely kill an Asian cockroach. They share some common behaviors and they all want the same things. However, each species does differ from another. This includes their reproductive cycle times and preferences for bait. Both of which are important factors to consider when trying to get rid of them.
What do they eat?
Their cousins that live in the natural outdoors will eat both plants and animals. Although they do prefer decaying matters. The four that commonly plagues us will eat just about anything they can chew on. Everything you eat they will eat. Everything you would have eaten if it hadn't gone bad, they will eat.
Some of the things they will eat inside your house include:
• Your food
• Your trash
• Pet food
• Scraps left on the floors or around the house
• Cardboard
• Glue
• Soap
• Other dead roaches
Where do they like to live or hide?
They like our homes for a reason. It provides them shelter from from the weather outside. We always keep our houses warm and comfortable (or cool in the summer heat). They like the same temps that we do.
They're nocturnal and they like dark places. Preferably somewhere dark with a little extra moisture. They aren't picky though so as long as it provides cover for them to hide from the dangers of you, they'll gladly take it without complaints.
How can you find them?
You can usually find them through two methods one is to observe at night. They are nocturnal, so they're most active at night. Just watch where they move through and where you see them most. Also note where they run off to hide once they detect your intention to smash them. The second way is to use traps. Use a commercial trap or make your own using tape.
There you have it, the four species of cockroaches that are the most annoying to us. Don't forget to check out the other information on my website. The more you understand them, the easier it will be for you to get rid of them.
