NOXIOUS INSECTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD. 



COCKROACHES. 



(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. COCKBOACH (Blatta ger- ices, under base boards, into drawers 



and cracks of old furniture in fa<$, 



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) 



