Cockroaches in Christchurch
Nothing makes you worry about the cleanliness of your home like a pest infestation. When that pest happens to be the distinctly unlovable Cockroach it’s time to take action.
Call Christchurch pest control and exterminators Elite Pest Control because eradicating Cockroaches from your home is much more difficult than you’d think. In fact, just like silverfish, they are resilient, elusive and unpleasant. They flourish in warm, moist conditions.
Species of cockroach can be very different in what they eat, where they live, what they do, it is important to identify the cockroach species before trying to control them. However, there is one aspect of control that is the same for all cockroaches—depriving them of their basic survival needs: food, water, and shelter through cleanliness and sanitation. A Cockroach treatment can involve residual spray and fumigation. In most cases Gel Baits are very effective.
Cockroaches are one of the most successful insect pests known to man. They are nocturnal and run from light. Often the activity is a lot higher than most realise as there are always many more in hiding. Each female produces 4-8 egg capsules in her lifetime. Egg capsules are 8mm long, chestnut brown, with about 18 segments, and are produced at 3-4 weeks intervals. Each capsule contains 30-40 eggs. Capsules are carried on the abdomen of the female until they hatch. She will occasionally deposit the capsules prior to hatching.
The larval stage, egg – nymph, lasts 40-128 days dependent on the environment. There are usually 6 nymph stages during development. Full development takes 6-7 weeks. Adult life span is up to 300 days. Adults are pale, brown and about 12mm long with 2 dark stripes on the thorax. Both sexes have wings but rarely fly. Nocturnal and omnivorous roaches damage many articles other than food; i.e. books, tapestries, leather goods, paintings, often leaving behind a (musty stale) characteristic odour. Fruit and vegetables often provide an adequate supply of water. There are over 4000 species of cockroaches world-wide.
Although NZ has some Roach species of its own, only the three imported ones – German, American and Australian – are of any significance, particularly Blatella Germanica (German).
US studies (cited by Agriculture Dept) show that millions of people world-wide are allergic to cockroaches (particularly asthmatics). Up to 61% of Roach shells, faeces, blood and digestive enzymes contain proteins which cause allergies. These proteins linger long after the insects are gone. Cockroaches produce filth, contaminate food, pollute water supplies and are vectors of many diseases such as salmonella [food poisoning], gastroenteritis, staphylococcus, diarrhoea and typhoid. Cockroaches (particularly Blatella Germanica) are public enemy number one in hospitals, health and food premises.
Cockroach suppression and eradication is VITAL to health care facilities, homes, and sites where food is prepared or served. Cockroaches contaminate food and spread filth by walking through contaminated areas. They commonly carry Staphylococci, streptococcus, coli-form, moulds, salmonella, yeasts and clostridia.
