Small cockroaches in an apartment are quite a big problem, because getting rid of uninvited guests is extremely difficult. Small cockroaches differ significantly from larger red locusts in appearance, but have similar behavioral characteristics, which include being predominantly nocturnal and lacking selectivity when choosing a food source.
Like other parasites, small domestic cockroaches are carriers of dangerous infectious diseases; it is imperative to combat uninvited guests.
What do small cockroaches look like? What are the features of exterminating these insects and how to get rid of an unpleasant neighborhood? Let us consider these issues in more detail.
What do small cockroaches look like?
Stages of growing up of cockroaches.
It is worth mentioning right away that small cockroaches are the same inhabitants of houses, but which have not yet reached the state of an adult animal. They differ slightly in appearance from individuals that have reached maturity.
They have the same structure: 6 paws, a pair of whiskers and a chitinous cover. The dimensions are often only a few centimeters. The color is dark, black or brown. Other features directly depend on the type of insect.
The white cockroach is also found in homes. It is also not a separate species, but only a pest that was caught at the moment of molting.
Sex differences
To determine the sex of a cockroach, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- Dimensions. Males are small in size.
- The presence of wings. Female cockroaches have underdeveloped wings. The wings of males are fully formed. Therefore, some insects take to the air to get to food or water.
- Leads. Males have a genital plate at the back, with which they fertilize females. Females do not have such an organ.
These differences are inherent in domestic insects that are found in apartments and houses. Exotic species have more differences. For example, Madagascan males have horns, which they use to fight for females. As for how exotic cockroaches reproduce, this process is no different from the process of reproduction of domestic cockroaches.
Difference between small cockroaches and adults
Cockroaches big and small.
There are several differences from the adults and the small cockroaches that have just emerged. Here are the differences that are immediately visible:
- size, definitely smaller than other individuals;
- absence of genital appendages;
- behavior, some run around a large female, others on their own.
Ootheca deposition process
Among the breeding features of domestic cockroaches, the deposition of ootheca is also distinguished. To place the leathery pouch, insects choose places that are maximally protected from humans and sunlight. Therefore, it is very difficult to find cockroach eggs.
Each type of arthropod cares for the clutch of eggs differently. Under natural conditions, black species get rid of the ootheca almost immediately, so not all embryos survive. It also happens that the entire masonry dies. The ootheca of the domestic insect is protected. After all, females lay it only after the embryos have strengthened and formed.
The degree of maturation of the embryos can be determined by how the larvae of domestic cockroaches look.
One ooteca can contain 20–60 larvae. The duration of their maturation depends on living conditions. By the way the masonry looks, it is easy to determine how suitable the conditions are for the development of insects.
Where do small cockroaches live?
Cockroaches of different ages.
Small, young cockroaches live where the conditions are most suitable for them. It should be warm, cozy and have enough food. Water must be available. Most often they appear in the kitchen or bathroom. But there are:
- inside furniture;
- under the covering of walls and floors;
- in household appliances;
- under baseboards and in niches;
- in places where cleaning is rarely carried out.
What does the appearance say?
In an apartment, 2 types of cockroaches can live in the kitchen - black and red. The latter are often called Prussians. They don’t get along under the same roof, so you shouldn’t rush to rejoice at the sudden disappearance of black insects. This may mean that they were replaced by red Prussians.
The body length of a black cockroach rarely reaches 5 cm, usually about 3 cm. Pests prefer to settle in basements and sewers. In multi-storey buildings, apartments appear when the basement is highly infested, mainly on the first and second floors. Rarely do insects appear above the 3rd floor.
The size of red cockroaches is usually less than 2 cm. However, not all are the same. In a colony, females are always larger than males; there are also larvae of different generations, which gradually increase in size.
On a note!
If you see a cockroach in the kitchen, and after a while small insects, you need to take active action until the colony of Prussians increases significantly.
Features of fighting methods
Large and small cockroaches.
It is necessary to combat even the smallest insects, because they will grow up and breed.
But the good news is that they have a thinner shell and weaker protection, so it’s easier to nail them, and the drugs penetrate more actively.
Even if the small cockroaches quickly disappear, you need to repeat the treatment procedure after 2 weeks. They can slow down their life activity and simply move to more distant places for a while. Without food, with enough moisture, mustachioed pests can live for about a month.
The remaining methods of control are identical to those used to clear the premises of adult individuals.
Mating process
The moment when a female is ready to mate is determined by the male by the smell she gives off. Special glands are responsible for the production of pheromones. Female representatives have such glands. Insects also attract partners using their wings.
Mating lasts 1–3 minutes. At this time, the insects are in contact with their backs. For fertilization, the male uses the genital plate. As soon as the process ends, the male representative goes in search of food or a new female.
In the future, the female does not require assistance from the male. After all, the elements necessary for reproduction are present in her body. If only one individual remains in the house, then within 2–4 weeks the premises will be filled with pests. Therefore, information about how longhorned beetles reproduce should be taken into account.
The female moves with a leathery sac (ootheca), which contains the embryos, until the cockroach larvae are fully mature. The offspring located in the egg are protected from toxic substances and water.
Crayons and powders
The most affordable are special crayons and powders against cockroaches.
They are convenient to apply, but almost impossible to treat hard-to-reach areas.
It is also not possible to treat the entire room. Both crayons and powders can be used indoors and are harmless to people and animals. But, if there are a lot of cockroaches in the house, these remedies may be ineffective. They can be used as a prophylaxis after treatment with stronger drugs. The following products have proven themselves to be effective:
- "Mashenka";
- "Tornado"
- "Super Fas";
- "Clean house";
- "Phenaxik".
Ultrasonic repeller
The repeller is a rather expensive device, which in turn does not kill insects, but only helps create unacceptable living conditions for them.
The device creates an ultrasonic field of a certain radius, safe for people and animals.
However, the effect of such exposure is very controversial. Ultrasonic waves do have some effect on cockroaches, but only when their level becomes noticeable to animals and people. The devices use low frequency ultrasound. This is probably why the instructions for many devices indicate that repellers are recommended to be used in conjunction with other products, and the effect of their use does not occur immediately. In other words, the manufacturer is betting that a certain number of insects have already been poisoned, and the reduction in their number is supposedly a consequence of the use of a repeller. However, some users report positive results. Popular models are:
- "Typhoon";
- "Banzai";
- Zenet;
- "Ixus";
- "Pest Project";
- Air Comfort.
Killer composition: flour + alabaster
An effective remedy for cockroaches - red, rather unpleasant insects - is a combination of alabaster and flour in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should be sprinkled on the areas where insects are most concentrated. When alabaster enters the body, it hardens and turns into plaster, which causes the death of mustachioed individuals.
Cockroaches are small, brown and black insects that cannot stand the smell of ammonia, so a washed floor with the addition of this substance will repel them for a while.
Spectacular pets
Not everyone may like decorative cockroaches, but meeting them will definitely be unforgettable. Exotic cockroaches come in different varieties; one of the most popular species is the six-spotted cockroach, also native to the Americas. It is considered very impressive because the back of this representative of the cockroach fraternity is of an unusual orange hue. The name in this case is also dictated by the appearance features. The front back is decorated with two large and four small spots; they form a symmetrical pattern, which immediately allows the insect to be identified as Eublaberus distanti.
Although these representatives of the class of insects are not able to climb on slippery surfaces, their cage should be securely covered with a lid. The fact is that six-pointed cockroaches jump perfectly. They also need:
- Shavings.
- Branches (so cockroaches can climb).
- Bark for shelter during the day.
- High humidity.
More similar to the original colors of the car beetle (Lucihormetica subcincta). In appearance, it really does resemble a small ladies' car: two large yellow spots look like a headlight, and a small border along the back completes the impression, giving the image even some beauty.
But only males are the carriers of spots. This species is native to Colombia, so they feel good only at high temperatures. “Cars” do not grow very quickly - they can reproduce only a year after birth, and in total they live for about 4 years.
Exterminators
The last and most effective measure is to call the appropriate services.
Professional exterminators will carry out high-quality treatment of premises with stronger and more effective preparations.
Most offer at least a one-year warranty. But it is important to understand that all your attempts will be in vain, and the effect will be short-lived if you do not carry out prevention and destruction together with your neighbors .
Insecticidal gels
This insecticide format is in high demand due to its ease of use. As a rule, the gel is placed in a special plastic tube with a long tip spout. The gel is applied pointwise around the perimeter of the apartment in small drops: under baseboards, on cabinets, mezzanines, and so on. The substance acts on the domino principle: one cockroach, having tasted the poison, will certainly infect its fellows, provoking an entire epidemic.
The gel contains a fatty substance that prevents drying, a fragrance to attract insects and an insecticide. The advantages of the gel include the following:
- Speed of action.
Within a week, only unpleasant memories will remain from cockroaches.
- Long lasting effect.
The product remains active for several months (up to a year), so you don’t have to worry that after insecticidal measures the pests will start again.
- Protection from being eaten by animals or children.
A special bitter substance is added to gel insecticides, which repels pets - you don’t have to be afraid that your beloved Murka will lick off all the cockroach poison. The most popular gels are:
- Raptor;
- Global;
- Absolute.
These are insecticides based on chlorpyrifos, a toxic substance that, when entering the body orally, blocks the functioning of the insect’s nervous system. There are gels that kill parasites not only from the inside, but also from the outside:
- Combat;
- Dohlox;
- Brownie.
The principle of action of these drugs is based on the content of a special substance, which, upon contact with the chitinous shell, blocks the functioning of the nervous system. A few hours later, when the cockroach returns to its relatives and manages to infect them, complete paralysis occurs. So, according to the domino principle, an entire population dies out.
What affects the rate of reproduction
Undoubtedly, information about how quickly domestic cockroaches reproduce is significant for people who are faced with a similar problem.
The reproduction rate of domestic cockroaches is affected by their species. Red insects spread faster.
The rate at which a domestic cockroach reproduces is influenced by external factors. The embryo development process stops if the room temperature decreases. Their development resumes as soon as heat begins to flow to the ooteca.
Therefore, freezing is considered a popular way to get rid of breeding insects. To implement it, you need to open all windows for a while. But this method is available only to owners of country houses and people who can temporarily move to another premises.
Chemicals affect the speed at which the mustachioed pest reproduces. The larvae are located in a leathery sac, which protects them from toxic fumes and harmful components. But the ootheca can withstand 1-2 attacks. If the procedure is repeated 2-3 times within a month, then development will stop completely.
Some chemicals contain special regulator components. The cockroach breeding regulator works very simply. It affects the ability of insects to subsequently reproduce.
Sanitary and hygienic standards also influence the rate of reproduction. If the insects do not find food or water, they will leave the residential building.
