Classification
Species category: Cockroach
Scientific name: Periplaneta americana
Family: Blattidae
The largest of the common cockroach species, it can grow up to 50mm. Reddish-brown in colour, this species can fly and its wings span the length of its body.
Behaviour
Gregarious and nocturnal, they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices. Generally, they like moisture and prefer warmer, humid environments but can also live in dry conditions. Cockroaches are extremely fast with incredible reaction times.
Although the main harbourages are often outside of the building itself, this cockroach will typically forage for food in the inhabited parts of buildings, along ducts, service pipes and crevices.
Region
Originating from tropical Africa, the American cockroach now has a world-wide distribution.
Habitat
It prefers a warm, humid, dark and well-hidden environment and is often found in sewers and septic tanks. Typically, it will live in drains, ducts, and in other underground structures. As it feeds on a large variety of foodstuffs, it will thrive wherever food is stored and prepared.
Risks
American cockroaches transmit bacteria as they walk, transferring pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli to every area they scurry across. Cockroaches also shed cuticles, faeces and other cockroach debris which are known as asthma and allergy-triggers.
Species category: Cockroach
Scientific name: Periplaneta americana
Family: Blattidae
Description
The largest of the common cockroach species, it can grow up to 50mm. Reddish-brown in colour, this species can fly and its wings span the length of its body.
Behaviour
Gregarious and nocturnal, they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices. Generally, they like moisture and prefer warmer, humid environments but can also live in dry conditions. Cockroaches are extremely fast with incredible reaction times.
Although the main harbourages are often outside of the building itself, this cockroach will typically forage for food in the inhabited parts of buildings, along ducts, service pipes and crevices.
Region
Originating from tropical Africa, the American cockroach now has a world-wide distribution.
Habitat
It prefers a warm, humid, dark and well-hidden environment and is often found in sewers and septic tanks. Typically, it will live in drains, ducts, and in other underground structures. As it feeds on a large variety of foodstuffs, it will thrive wherever food is stored and prepared.
Risks
American cockroaches transmit bacteria as they walk, transferring pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli to every area they scurry across. Cockroaches also shed cuticles, faeces and other cockroach debris which are known as asthma and allergy-triggers.
