The order of dictyoptera includes all the cockroach and mantid species. There are two sub-orders, the blattodea (or Blattoptera) and Mantises (we also talk about Mantodea). These are insects with an incomplete cycle of metamorphosis, for which we have so far identified 3,500 species. The female lays its eggs grouped into egg cases known as ootheca, containing from 10 to 40 eggs, depending on the species. The larvae will moult between 7 to 10 times before reaching the adult stage. The adults have two pairs of non-functional wings, which can be used to glide in the event of danger. In regions where large species are found (the American cockroach) we find wingless individuals measuring 3 cm. These are nymphs (last larval stage) of the species, for which the imago (adult) measures 40 mm.
Treatment
Depending on the species, there are different options available to approved appliers to treat cockroaches :
- Application using a gel spray
Spraying a liquid product
Fumigation
Bait traps
THE GERMAN COCKROACH
(Blatella germanica)
THE GERMAN COCKROACH
- Length: between 12 and 15 mm long
- Appearance: Light yellow-brown, orange.
- Life span: 6 months
- Reproduction: 20 to 40 eggs per ootheca (egg case) and 5 to 8 oothecae.
- Habitat: Kitchen, rubbish chutes and waste bin units, basements, bathrooms.
Prefer high temperatures and humidity. - Diet: Omnivorous
The German cockroach is the most widespread cockroach in Europe. It represents 90% of infestations. It’s colour ranges from light brown to bronze. You can recognise it from the two dark parallel bands that stretch from its head to the base of the winds (on the pronotum).
ORIENTAL COCKROACH
(Blatella orientalis)
ORIENTAL COCKROACH
- Length: Between 25 and 30 mm long.
- Appearance: Dark reddish brown, black.
- Life span: 4 months.
- Reproduction: 12 to 16 eggs per ootheca (egg case) and 6 to 10 oothecae.
- Habitat: Cellars, basements. Wet and cool places.
- Diet: Omnivore.
The oriental cockroach is a large species, which measures around 2.5 cm long at the adult stage. It is dark brown in colour with a glossy body.
THE AMERICAN COCKROACH
(Periplaneta americana)
THE AMERICAN COCKROACH
- Length: Between 28 and 44 mm long.
- Appearance: Dark yellow brown.
- Life span: 10 months.
- Reproduction: 12 to 16 eggs per ootheca (egg case) and 12 to 30 oothecae.
- Habitat: Cellars, waste collection units and rubbish chutes, sewers.
- Diet: Omnivore.
The American cockroach is reddish brown with a yellowish brown margin behind the pronotum. We can identify the male from the female by the well-developed elytra.
