If you have ever seen an Oriental cockroach, you might think that it is harmless. However, Oriental roaches are more than just household pests—they are potentially harmful to your health as well! Here’s what you need to know about Oriental cockroaches and why they deserve your full attention when it comes to eliminating them from your home or business!
What Are Oriental Cockroaches?
In short, an Oriental cockroach is a species of a non-native (or foreign) insect introduced into North America from parts of Asia. At first glance, an oriental roach may look just like any other type of pest infestation except for its dark coloring; however, these particular insects have several qualities about them that make them particularly difficult to deal with. For example, these insects are rather resilient when compared to other kinds of pests; they actually possess a special kind of built-in immunity towards common pesticides and repellents. Additionally, aside from being immune to many household chemicals, oriental roaches also possess powerful pheromones that help attract even more members of their kind. These factors contribute towards why it's not uncommon for homeowners to suddenly find themselves overrun by dozens (if not hundreds) of bugs in record time!
Contrary to their name, these winged critters aren’t technically cockroaches at all. They are true bugs in order Hemiptera and are more closely related to stink bugs than German roaches. Oriental cockroaches are known by a few different names, including Indian cockroach, kakerlak, Palmetto bug, and Texas Brown. That’s why it can be difficult to determine if you have an Oriental cockroach or a common American cockroach infestation in your home. Both varieties of cockroach can come into contact with humans and cause allergic reactions as well as other health problems—but only one species of roach is considered an invasive pest in North America.
Despite their misleading name, there is nothing particularly oriental about them besides their origin. These pests have spread throughout much of the United States, Europe and have been found as far east as China, and Australia. Oriental cockroaches were likely introduced to those areas by people bringing goods back from a trip overseas. However, since they were in relatively warm packing containers (like beds and pillows), they were able to move easily around a new area when it was placed inside someone’s home or business.
An oriental cockroach is about 1 inch long and is tan with two black, parallel streaks on its back. It has wings but does not fly. This cockroach prefers a moist environment, so it's often found in kitchens and bathrooms when they get inside a home.
Oriental cockroaches and can be quite problematic because they have certain characteristics that make them especially hard to get rid of!
Why Are They Called 'Oriental' roaches?
Because they come from Asia. In fact, Oriental cockroaches have no relation to any other type of cockroach in North America or Europe. They belong to a subfamily called Blattellinae and are native to East Asia, where they can be found in Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Why Do I have Oriental roaches?
If you have Asian roaches in your home, it’s not because you’re dirty. More likely, a single female roach wandered into your house and laid her eggs in a dark corner somewhere, resulting in a colony of hungry pests over time. These roaches live outdoors under stones or logs or in crevices; they only venture indoors to find food and water. If you have an oriental cockroach infestation, it’s probably due to heavy rainfall.
What diseases can they carry?
Many disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses are found in cockroach droppings. The major hazard is bacterial infection which can occur when cockroach feces contaminates food during preparation. Parasites (e.g., tapeworms) and some species of encysted protozoa (e.g., giardia and amoebae) may also be transmitted through contact with cockroach feces.
What steps can be taken to control them in homes, apartments, and commercial buildings
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to experience an infestation of roaches in their homes or even their apartments. No matter where you live though, it can be a frightening and irritating event. Thankfully, cockroach removal is something that can be done effectively by those willing to put in a little time and effort into getting rid of them.
Remove wood and leaf piles from around your home. Vacuum them up before they spread (if you see one, there’s probably more than one). Use baits and traps in conjunction with vacuuming. Pest control treatments for a longer-term solution.
Do You Need Help With An Oriental Roach Problem?
Homeowners are urged to contact professional exterminators if they suspect an infestation of oriental roaches because these insects can contaminate food with bacteria from their waste products. If you have an infestation of Asian cockroaches, contact My Pest Pros today and we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan customized to your situation. We’ll help protect your family and home from Oriental roach infestations as well as other pest problems. Call us today at 703-665-4455!