Color: light-to-medium brown with two dark parallel stripes the long way on the pronotum
Legs: Six
Shape: Oval
Size: 5/8-inch (16 mm) long
Antennae: Yes
Females are slightly darker and have wider bodies and more rounded abdomens than males. Nymphs have two dark parallel stripes the whole length of their bodies. They breed all year round indoors in humid places at about 70oF ( 21oC ). They produce 30-40 eggs in a capsule (ootheca) approximately three months after they first hatch, and then produce another capsule about every 28 days after that.

Threats – Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies and may remain infective for several weeks longer than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents, rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Recent medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions in inner-city children. They were even shown to cause asthma in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.

Treatment – In most cases, Parker Pest Control Inc. uses a very fine boric acid powder. The powder is applied with a patented pressurized machine, that applies an electrostatic charge to the powder to give it the ability to cling to just about anything. This process assures complete elimination.

NOTE: Most Commercial businesses require monthly applications.