Roach Pizza, Anyone?

Our technicians have been servicing a pizza joint in the Griffin area that had a few roaches.  Well, a few is an understatement!  Our technicians realized the little critters were hiding under the refrigerator.  This was the scene once the fridge was moved:

Thousands of little roaches covered the floor.  Although it's hard to tell from this picture, a bag of onions was covered with them, and our techs were shaking them out like a salt shaker!

This was an infestation of German cockroaches.  This is a small species of cockroaches, averaging 1/2 inch in length.  Their small size makes it easy for them to hide.  German cockroaches are common in restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and homes.  They are tan to brown with 2 dark parallel streaks running from their head to the base of the wings.   Here's an up close picture of a German cockroach:



German Cockroach; photo courtesy of www.perdue.edu

Presidential Bugs!

Photo from pctonline.com

For the last fifteen years, the New Jersey Pest Management Association has found an entertaining way to highlight their association.  During their annual trade show at Rutgers University, a cockroach derby is held to predict the outcome of presidential and gubernatorial elections.  This year, two 2 1/2 inch long hissing Madagascar cockroaches were topped with paper figures of presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.  Then they were put in a three-foot long enclosed track to see who will win.  Although it's all in fun and used to get media coverage of their trade show, the association claims to have an 84% success rate.  This year's prediction winner:  Mitt Romney.  If you've never watched cockroaches race, check out the race at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICPx9sXsFk0&feature=youtu.be

Beach bugs!

My family recently vacationed at the beach.  One afternoon we went shopping to take a break from the sun and waves.  While in a store, a large bug was joining in on the shopping.  Palmetto bugs are common in warm, sub-tropical or tropical climates and are often encountered at coastal locations throughout the southeastern United States.  The poor girl working in the store was terrified, and my brother-in-law saved the day by sweeping the big intruder back outside.

Although the name Palmetto bug sounds cute, these bugs are really just a large species of cockroach.  Yes, an icky, disease carrying cockroach!  The name Palmetto bug is used to describe the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana).  This species grows around 1.5-2 in. long, making it the largest species of common cockroach.  They are reddish brown and have a yellow margin behind the head.

These cockroaches are often seen on Palmetto trees, a type of palm tree, giving them the popular name, Palmetto bug.  They prefer warm, damp locations.  Although they are mostly found outdoors, they sometimes wander inside, especially into restaurants or damp places like bathrooms .



American Cockroach; photo courtesy of msu.edu

American cockroaches carry bacteria that is known to cause food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea in humans.  They are also a potential cause of allergic dermitits and childhood asthma.  Despite the name, American cockroaches originally came from tropical Africa.  They are considered one of the fastest running insects.   

Seven Steps to Roach Control by Kelly Teal

1. Do not leave any dirty dishes in the kitchen sink at night. Wipe ALL sinks DRY. Roaches can live a while without food but NOT without water.

2. Pour a ¼ cup of bleach down all drains (including toilets) at night. This will make the water at the elbow of the drainpipes not drinkable for roaches.

3. Sweep and/or vacuum every night. Just one grain of sugar is a feast for roaches. We treat roaches with a combination of products; bait being one of the most important. DON’T give the bait something to compete with by leaving food granules on the floors and counter tops at night.

4. Take out the garbage EVERY night.

5. Keep all dirty laundry and trash off of the floor.

6. Sweep up and discard all dead roaches and egg sacks. Roaches breed every 30-45 days, so remove any egg sacks when you see them.

7. ALWAYS REMEMBER, CLEANLINESS IS THE KEY TO BEING PEST FREE!