American Cockroaches

Periplaneta americana

Color: It is bright brown and red.

Shape:It has an oval structure. They have short distance flight capabilities.

Size: 35-50 mm in length.

Diet: They like food such as garbage, food scraps, starch, sweets, paper and glue.

Geographical Range: They are widespread globally and like tropical climates more

Habitat: Sewers are found in humid and warm environments. They thrive in kitchens and similar humid environments.

American Cockroaches Behavior?

Activity Pattern

They are more active at night. During the day they tend to wait in dark and warm areas. They are fast runners.

Flight Behavior

They have the ability to fly. But they usually prefer to walk and can fly well over short distances.

Social Behavior

They usually live in colonies. They colonize large areas such as sewers and basements. They use pheromones to find each other.

Response to Threats

They escape into cracks and crevices. When in difficulty, they escape with their flight skills. They move quickly away from sudden light and bright areas.

Reproduction and Nesting

Females lay more than one egg case. Their reproduction rate is very high in warm and humid environments.

Feeding Behavior

They feed on anything organic. They like rotten foods, starch, sugary foods.

Environmental Adaptability

Survival Skills: They can live without food for about 1 month and without water for about 1 week.

Threats from American Cockroaches

Disease Transmission

Salmonella: Causes food poisoning.
E. coli: Can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness.
Dysentery and Cholera: Spread through contamination of food and water.

Infestation Risks

Rapid Reproduction: When they find the right conditions for reproduction, they reproduce very quickly and form colonies.
Hard-to-Reach Locations: They invade hard-to-reach areas such as cracks and crevices and become very difficult to control.

Signs of an Infestation

Sightings: Seeing live cockroaches during the day can be a sign of a major infestation. Seeing dead cockroaches is one of the signs of active infestation.
Droppings: Their droppings are small, dark in color and cylindrical. They are often confused with rat droppings.
Locations: Dark and hidden corners should be checked in food storage areas.
Egg Cases (Oothecae): Reddish brown capsule 8-10 mm long.
Odor: A greasy and musty smell is often emitted.

Damage to Materials: Nutrition signs are observed in products such as books, cardboard, fabrics.
Food Contamination: Partially eaten food and feces found in the area can be a sign.

If you observe any of these signs, it is urgent to seek professional help to prevent an infestation. Early intervention is crucial to prevent an infestation.

Chemical and Natural Control Methods for American Cockroach

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is one of the most resilient and widespread cockroach species in the world. They are highly adaptable and reproduce rapidly. There are various chemical and natural methods to prevent American cockroaches.

Chemical Control Methods

Chemical control is the use of pesticides, baits and other synthetic compounds to destroy American cockroach populations. These methods are often most effective in severe infestations, but should be used with caution given the environmental and health risks.

Insecticidal Sprays and Residual Applications

Pyrethroid-based sprays (e.g. deltamethrin, cypermethrin) kill cockroaches on contact and create a protective barrier.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) (e.g. hydroprene, methoprene) disrupt the growth and reproductive cycle, preventing nymphs from becoming adults.
Residual insecticides (e.g. fipronil, imidacloprid) are applied into cracks and crevices in structures and remain active for a certain period of time.
Gel baits and poisonous foods
Gel baits containing slow-acting poisons (e.g. hydramethylnon, boric acid or fipronil) are attractive to cockroaches. If they come into contact with cockroaches, they carry the poison back to their nests.
Poisoned food baits target undetectable colonies because cockroaches feed on them and transfer the toxins to other insects through contact.

Aerosol Foggers (Insect Bombs)
It releases insect bombs into the air, allowing them to reach hidden crevices. However, they are less effective for long-term control because they cannot reach eggs and nymphs.
Powder Insecticides (Desiccants)
It is a method using diatomaceous earth and boric acid powder. They cause death by destroying the exoskeleton of the cockroach.
It should be applied in dry areas where cockroaches travel frequently.
Fumigation
In cases of extreme infestation, professional fumigation using phosphine gas or sulfuryl fluoride may be necessary.

Natural Control Methods

There are several natural control methods that can help manage American cockroach populations without using toxic chemicals. The main ones are

Essential Oils and Natural Repellents

Peppermint oil, tea tree oil and lavender oil have significant repellency as sources of odor.
When we mix these oils with water and spray them on the points where cockroaches can enter your home, we can prevent their entry.
Boric Acid and Baking Soda

When cockroaches consume boric acid, their digestive system is disrupted, leading to dehydration and death.
If a cockroach consumes baking soda mixed with sugar, it creates gas in its stomach and cannot digest this gas, resulting in the death of the cockroach.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

It has a structure that damages the exoskeleton of cockroaches and causes them to dry out. This damage results in the death of cockroaches.
It is more preferred for use in homes with pets and children.

Natural Predators
Encouraging natural predators in environments such as gardens and open spaces can help to reduce populations.
Traps and Physical Barriers
You can catch cockroaches by setting non-chemical sticky traps at entry points.
Sealing walls, floors, cracks and crevices prevents entry into houses.
Environmental Control
Removing food sources, such as garbage and crumbs left out in the open, reduces feeding opportunities and reduces their chances of survival.
Repairing leaks and reducing humidity levels dries up water sources and drives them away from the area.