4 LEAFLET 144. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



them unattached about the places she frequents. The capsules of 

 the croton bug (fig. 4, a) and of the tropical cockroach, which are 

 hardly one-fourth of an inch long, often contain from 25 to 30 eggs. 

 Roaches of all species are very small when hatched but so resemble 

 the broad and flattened shape of the parent insect that they can be 

 identified easily as cockroaches. It is only after they reach maturity 

 that the wings are well developed (except in the adult female oriental 

 roach, which has only short wing pads). Cockroaches develop rather 

 slowly and are capable of subsisting under unfavorable food conditions 

 for long periods. As a result, roaches in all stages of growth are usually 

 present at the same time. The German roach may pass through two 

 or three generations a year, but most roaches require about 1 year to 

 become mature. 



Habits 



Cockroaches are nocturnal in habit. They hide during the day in 

 sheltered, darkened places, where they congregate in large masses. 

 In the home they usually hide near the sink and the drainboard, behind 

 the kitchen cabinet, behind radiators, under the trim of doors and win- 

 dows, etc. They forage at night, when all is still and dark. If 

 disturbed, they run rapidly for shelter and disappear through cracks, 

 through holes in wall plaster, down along water or steam pipes, and 

 through similar openings. After dark, when they have come out to 

 feed, enter the room suddenly, turn on the light, and watch them run 

 for their hiding places. Knowledge of where they conceal themselves 

 is usually the key to their control. 



Roachy Odor 



The offensive, sickening, or fetid odor associated with cockroaches 

 is due largely to an oily liquid secreted by scent glands. This oil 

 leaves the characteristic roachy odor wherever the insects are abun- 

 dant. Food is ruined by it, and dishes over which cockroaches run 

 may seem apparently clean yet give off the odor when warmed unless 

 thoroughly washed in hot water and soap. The pellets of excrement, 

 as well as the inklike liquid emitted by roaches from their mouths, 

 contribute to the development of the nauseating odor. 



Control 



Cockroach ehmination is not difficult if the sources of infestation 



can be controlled. In loosely constructed buildings or where a mild 



climate permits roaches to develop outdoors, houses are constantly 



being reinfested from outside by crawling and flying roaches. No 



control will keep a house free from roaches continuously if sources of 



reinfestation exist. 



Prevention 



One of the best ways to prevent roaches from becoming established 

 in a home is to watch carefully all baskets or boxes of food supplies and 

 laundry brought into the house. Roaches hide among packages and 

 about clothing and are frequently carried from place to place. Kill 

 these stray roaches with a fly swatter, or, if they are encountered 

 unexpectedly and no weapon is at hand, crush them underfoot, Trade 

 at roach-free stores. 



