NOXIOUS INSECTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD. 



OOOKROAOHES. 



{Periplaneta orientalis Linn, and Blatta germanica Stephens; Order, 



Orthoptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Black, flattened, soft-bodied insects, in damp places 

 about the home; in the kitchen and laundry especially. 



Description and Life-history. — The common Cockroaches of the 

 house are imported species, being natives of Asia and Europe. 



When full-grown, they are about two- 

 thirds of an inch long. The eggs are 

 laid in small packets, and the young 

 roaches resemble the adults, except 

 that they are smaller and lighter in 

 color. The roaches attack provisions 

 of all kinds; are almost omnivorous, 

 in fact. They feed at night, retiring 

 during the day-time into crevices and 

 corners. 



Remedies. — Pyrethrum (see p. 9) 

 can be used against these pests with 

 good effect. Dr. Riley says : 



Just before nightfall, go into the in- 

 fested rooms and puff it into all crev- 



FiG. 59. CooKBOAOH (Blatta yer- ices, under base boards, into drawers 

 ■niamca. ) 



and cracks of old furniture — in fact, 



wherever there is a crack — and in the morning the floor will be cov- 

 ered with dead and dying, or demoralized and paralyzed, roaches, which 

 may easily be swept up or otherwise collected and burned. With clean- 

 liness, and persistency in these methods, the pest may be substantially 

 driven out of the house, and should never be allowed to get full posses- 

 sion by immigrants from without. 



Kansas Notes. — Common, and often seriously troublesome, 



throughout the State. 



(108) 



