Get in Touch

American Cockroach

Periplaneta Americana (Linnaeus)

[Blattodea: Blattidae]

I have heard that: “Cockroaches would be the only living species able to survive in nuclear fallout.” But luckily our pest control methods are a bit more refined and not as extreme! We’ve been properly exterminating cockroaches for over 30 years now.

Adult: American cockroaches are approximately 40 mm long. Their elongate body is pale to dark brown with yellow markings on the pronotum. Nymphs resemble the adult cockroach but lack wings.

Head: The head is concealed beneath a large shield-like pronotum. Antennae are long (often longer than the body) and thread-like. Compound eyes are large in relation to head size and kidney-shaped. The mouthparts consist of mandibles for chewing with 5-segmented maxillary palps and 3-segmented labial palps.

Thorax: Cockroaches have two pairs of wings. The forewings are leathery and protect the hindwings. The American cockroach resembles the Australian cockroach but lacks a pale stripe along the anterobasal margin of the forewing. The hindwings are membranous, fan-shaped and fold flat over the body when at rest. Legs are strongly spined and designed for running.

Abdomen: The abdomen has a pair of multi-segmented cerci at the base. Cerci are used as tactile receptors.

Reproduction & Life-cycle: Adults live to one year. The life-cycle of the American cockroach is 6-12 months. An adult female cockroach will lay 10-50 oothecae in that period. The oothecae contain 12-15 eggs. Oothecae are dropped or glued to a substrate when laid. Nymphs hatch from the ootheca and undergo 7-10 moults before reaching the adult stage.

Distribution: The American cockroach is a cosmopolitan urban pest. The species was probably endemic to Africa and distributed to the new world with slave trade. Cockroaches have since moved elsewhere via commerce.

Pest Status: In tropical-subtropical environments cockroaches tend to live outdoors. In temperate environments cockroaches live indoors and prefer warm, humid, dark habitats. The American cockroach commonly inhabits wall voids, sewers, grease traps and garbage dumps. Nymphs and adults occupy the same habitat and feed on starch, sugar, leather, parchment and fermented food.

If you’re struggling with a cockroach problem and looking for advice or would like to organize a treatment or inspection then don’t hesitate to ring me up (Bruce) on 0417 251 911 or alternatively you can use our quick and easy online messaging system here.

Pest Control

"We first used A1 Pest Control a few years ago when we noticed a few termites under a wine barrell in the rear yard of our home. We asked A1 Pest Control Sydney to pay us a visit to have a thorough termite inspection of our home. Bruce and his crew were on time, and very well presented. They explained how they would get rid of the termite infestation using a low toxic method and how their Thermal cameras worked, It worked very well and now we can sleep at night!"

Gary and Carol Harman

"We have been using Bruce form A1 Pest Control for over 4 years now. We bought our new house on the Hills Area, and moved in. our neighbours had problem with rodents and spiders so they are using A1 next door. I asked them if they could come over and treat our house too, as i didn't want to chase pest around our home. The service was not only effective, but carried out without any smelly fumes that we have experienced in our last house. They solved problem next door and I haven't seen a bug since."

Melissa Topper

"A1 Pest Control exterminators where great! I'm very happy to say that they solved a bed bug problem that I had after we had visitors from overseas visit us. I would recommend A1 Pest Control to anyone needing a safe and effective treatment of bed bugs"

Amanda Wu

"Bruce solved our commercial pest control problem in Castle Hill. Cockroaches were throughout our factory and they were completely gone after two visits from his exterminators. Just seeing one cockroach can lose us clients. I know now everyhing is ok, and our reputation is intact"

Raj Beri, Europa International

"Bruce from A1 Help us get rid of a bad spider infestation that have been troubling us for a while. It was done with low toxic spray and his crew even game me some cockroach and ant baits to get rid of them. I have recommended A1 to all my friends and family"

Carmel Thomas

Get in Touch