Cockroaches 

One of the oldest insects - fossil remains date back 
200 million years. 

· Crawl around on six legs, have wings and two antennae.  

· Like dark, damp places with a plentiful food supply; 
hide during the day in warm, dark places, such as 
undersinks, behind dishwashers, stoves and refrigerators, 
and inside cupboards.

· Feed on a variety of foods, especially starchy and 
sugary  materials, including book bindings, photographic 
film, linens, leather goods and numerous food items; 
usually forage at night. 

· Can survive a month or more without food, but less 
than two weeks without water. 

· Have an acrid odor that may permeate items with 
which they come in contact. 

· Can transmit bacteria and organisms responsible 
for diseases in humans including food poisoning, 
cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis and strep. 

· A study by the National Institute of Allergy and 
Infectious Diseases and a report in the New England 
Journal of Medicine indicate that exposure to 
cockroach allergens is a major health concern for 
asthmatic children. 

· Under optimum conditions, cockroaches can produce 
two million offspring in one year, with an average 
breeding season resulting in 350,000 offspring. 

· Found around the world. Two species are prevalent 
in the United States, the American cockroach and the 
German cockroach. 

· The American cockroach has reddish-brown wings and 
light markings on its thorax and reaches lengths of 
up to 1.5 inches. 

· The German cockroach is between one-half and 
five-eighths inches long and is light brown with two 
dark stripes down its back.