INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD. 



Cockroaches. 



Cockroaches are among the most omnivorous as 

 well as omnipresent of the insect pests of the house- 

 hold. Their flattened bodies especially fit them to 

 dwell in cracks and crevices, in the walls of houses 

 in cities, and beneath the loose bark of fallen trees 

 in the woods. Here they find congenial retreats and 

 flourish abundantly. They take a great variety of 

 food. In dwellings they destroy provisions of every 

 kind, although, as a partial recompense, perhaps, 

 they are also said to prey upon Bed Bugs. 



As has been so often the case with our injurious 

 insects, we are indebted to Europe for the cock- 

 roaches that are most obnoxious. The American 

 Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) occurs commonly 

 in the fields and woods, and occasionally is found in 

 houses. But the Oriental Cockroach (Periplaneta 

 orientalis) and the Croton Bug or German Cockroach 

 (Phyllodromia germanica) — both imported species — 

 prefer the city dwelling, where, around the steam 

 and water pipes of the kitchen, laundry or bathroom, 

 they can run about undisturbed. They are noctur- 

 nal in their habits, remaining concealed during the 

 day, and sallying forth in search of food during the 

 night. 



The life-history of the Croton Bug has been admir- 

 ably portrayed by Dr. C. V. Riley at Fig. 140. The 



