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Cockroaches in Arizona

There are at least 20 different species of cockroaches in Arizona, probably about 10 are native and rarely encountered in the urban environment. Those established in urban areas include: American, Brownbanded, Field, German, Oriental and Turkestan.

Most cockroaches are tropical or sub-tropical in origin and generally live outdoors. However, some species have adapted well to living with humans. Though it is true that they prosper in clutter, filth and grime, cockroaches at times infest even the most sanitary and well-organized homes and buildings.

German cockroaches enter buildings in infested boxes, grocery bags, beverage cartons, furniture and dried pet foods. While the American, Oriental, Field and Turkestan Cockroaches enter around loose-fitting doors and windows, where electrical lines or water and steam pipes pass through walls, in seasoned firewood and through sewer lines.

Most cockroaches are nocturnal and appear during daylight only when disturbed or where there is a heavy infestation. They prefer warm, dark, humid shelters.

Cockroaches feed on a variety of plant and animal products, including meat and grease, starchy foods, sweets, baked goods and other unprotected kitchen goods. They also feed on materials such as leather, wallpaper paste and book binding.

Cockroaches rank high on the homeowner's list of pest problems. Cockroaches contaminate food with excrement and salivary secretions, and they may leave an unpleasant odor. Cockroaches also cause respiratory problems to individuals sensitive to the allergens they produce.

The Most 'Common Roaches' Found in Arizona
American Cockroaches
American Cockroach

The American cockroach is the largest and most frequently encountered common species, growing to a length of 1 1/2 to 2 inches. This species is also referred to as the sewer roach. It is reddish-brown with a light yellow band around the edge of the head shield. Adults of both sexes have well-developed wings, but seldom fly. In the warm climate of Arizona, American cockroaches often live out of doors in alleys, lawns, decayed trees and plants. They often enter and thrive in homes, commercial establishments and other buildings that provide favorable shelter and an ample food supply. They live mainly in dark, moist sites in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and steam tunnels, sewers and even in crawl spaces under buildings.

German Cockroach
The adult German cockroach is light brown and 1/2 to 5/8 inch long. The head shield has two dark stripes that run lengthwise. Adults are fully winged but rarely fly. The German cockroach is normally found indoors and is more active than other domestic species. These cockroaches thrive in all types of buildings, but are found most often in homes, apartments, condominiums and commercial food establishments. They usually enter tightly constructed homes with bottled drink containers, potatoes, onions, dried pet foods, grocery sacks, corrugated cartons and even furniture. German cockroaches usually seek dark shelters near moisture and food, such as in kitchens and bathrooms. However, when populations become large and food scarce, they appear in bedrooms and other less likely places.

Field Cockroach
The Field Cockroach is similar in appearance to the German roach, being small (about 1/2 inch), grayish to olive-brown with two brown to black stripes on the shield-shaped section behind the head. It can be differentiated from the German roach by looking at the face: field cockroaches have black stripes between the eyes where German roaches do not. Field cockroaches are normally found outdoors in leaf litter or other plant debris. They are usually only found inside the home during early summer when it is hot and dry.

Oriental Cockroach
Adult oriental cockroaches are glossy dark brown to black. Females may be nearly 1-1/4 inches long, while males are 1 inch long. Neither sex can fly, and in fact, these cockroaches are rather sluggish and do not move very fast even when disturbed. Oriental Cockroaches are usually found near decaying organic matter. During warm, humid weather they inhabit lawns, compost piles, flower beds and dumps. However, in periods of drought or with the approach of cold weather, they move in masses into homes and other buildings. In buildings, these cockroaches inhabit high moisture areas such as sewers, drains and dark, damp basements. Their activities are somewhat restricted to the ground or below-ground levels of buildings.

Controlling Cockroaches
Sanitation

German Cockroach

Proper sanitation, both indoors and outdoors, effectively limits cockroach populations. Do not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils and uncovered food out overnight. Clean up all spilled liquids. Areas beneath and behind cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and refrigerators should be cleaned often, as should cupboards, pantry shelves and storage bins where particles of food frequently accumulate. K
itchen waste and excess refuse should be kept in cockroach proof containers and disposed of as frequently as possible. Dry pet food should be stored in tight containers away from the kitchen and other foods. If pets are fed indoors, left-over foods should not be allowed to remain in the feeding dish overnight. Outdoors, garbage cans, racks, platforms or slabs should be cleaned regularly.

Exclusion
Discourage cockroaches from entering the home by sealing any cracks of 1/8 inch or more in the foundation and exterior walls. Check the seal or caulking around air conditioning units, windows, doors, pipes or other openings into the home. Inside the home, eliminate all possible hiding areas and food sources. Repair cracks and holes in floors, walls and ceilings. Seal openings around plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical outlets, window sills and walls, and along baseboards and ceiling moldings. Leaky water faucets and pipes should be repaired. Thresholds on doors should be as tight as possible and cracks in porches and stoops should be sealed.

Eliminate Hiding Places
Paper, cardboard, lumber, firewood and other debris next to the home provide excellent refuge for several cockroach species. Keep yard trash and stacks of firewood away from the home or garage to minimize the chance of
cockroach invasion.

All Pest Solution
      - The Only Solution For All Your Pest Needs

Give those roaches
a big hand!
Take advantage of our All Pest Solution program. Traditionally in the pest control industry clients are charged separately for pest control and termite control programs, with a variety of extra charges for "special circumstances" such as Scorpions, Ticks, and Africanized Bees. With the All Pest Solution that way of business has been eliminated. As the name suggests, this program covers all the pests that invade your home! Now, you can receive termite protection in addition to protection from the insects covered by your current pest control program. Instead of having multiple accounts and paying multiple bills, one charge covers all of your services. With a traditional termite warranty your home is inspected only once a year and you are left responsible for spotting termite activity and requesting treatment in the interim. With our All Pest Solution your technician will inspect for both pest and termite activity on each regular visit. When termites are found they are taken care of immediately with no additional expense. Be assured that with this program, we will provide you with peace of mind regarding your home environment. All Pest is a bi-monthly perimeter inspection and treatment program that covers all pests. You will receive termite monitors / ant bait stations, and rodent bait stations that will be monitored for you as part of this program. The program includes a minimum of six services and as many services as needed in between to take control of all your pests. No matter what your pest problems are; American roaches, german roaches, oriental roaches, sow bugs, crickets, earwigs, silverfish (firebrats), centipedes, black widow spiders, wasps, ants, carpenter ants, mice, pack rats, roof rats, bees, ticks, fleas, scorpions, subterranean termites, drywood termites, and the list goes on, we have the All Pest Solution for you!
Phoenix Office
PO Box 61175
Phoenix, AZ 85082-1175
602-275-8555
Fax: 480-929-0435
Scottsdale Office
PO Box 13536
Scottsdale, AZ 85267-3536
480-607-4604
Fax: 480-607-4608
Mesa Office
PO Box 5156
Mesa, AZ 85211-5156
480-969-7383
Fax: 480-969-7493
Prescott Office
10217PO Box
Prescott, AZ 86304-0217
928-541-1110
Fax: 928-541-0001
Tucson Office
66016PO Box
Tucson, AZ 85728-6016
520-327-7400
Fax: 520-325-9533

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