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In this issue…
1. Silverfish
2. German Roaches
3. Q&A
4. Quick Facts
Silverfish are small, soft insects without wings, that are brown or silver-gray, and are about 1/2 to 1 inch long. The abdomen has three filaments extending from it. Silverfish prefer to live outdoors under rocks, bark and leaf mold, in the nests of birds and mammals, and in ant and termite nests. They are not often seen indoors because they are nocturnal and can run very swiftly. However, many are found in houses and are considered a pest, or at least a nuisance, by homeowners. Usually they are found trapped in a bathtub, sink, or washbasin. They prefer vegetable matter with a high carbohydrate and protein content. When indoors they will feed on almost anything, including dried beef, flour, starch, paper, gum, glue, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, molds and breakfast cereals.
Adults lay eggs in small groups containing a few to 50 eggs. The eggs are very small and deposited in cracks and crevices. A female normally lays less than 100 eggs during her lifespan of two to eight years. The eggs usually hatch in two weeks, but may take up to two months to hatch.
The young nymphs are very much like the adults except for size. Several years are required before they are sexually mature, and they must mate after each molt if viable eggs are to be produced. Populations do not build up rapidly because of their slow development rate and the small number of eggs laid.
Sanitation alone will not eliminate an infestation, although it may prevent new ones from starting. A large infestation usually means the house has been infested for some time.
Removing old papers, boxes, books, and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places. Moth crystals placed in boxes in the attic may also help.
Adult German cockroaches are light brown except for two dark stripes, which begin just behind the head and run lengthwise on the body . Young roaches are wingless and nearly black with a single light stripe running down the middle of the back. The adults are about 5/8 inch long. The capsules containing the eggs are light tan and usually produce about 36 baby cockroaches.
German cockroaches are the most common roaches found in houses and restaurants. Most cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. The younger cockroaches are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble the adults. They eat food of all kinds and may be carried into the house on egg cartons, soft drink cartons, sacks of potatoes or onions, used furniture or appliances, beer cases, etc.
Once they are in your home, German roaches generally develop in kitchens and bathrooms. During the day, these roaches may be found hiding clustered behind baseboard moldings, pictures and clocks, in cracks around cabinets, closets or pantries, and in and under stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers. German cockroaches do not like motion and usually avoid light, so if you are seeing them in the daytime while you are moving about the room, you probably have a larger population than you realize. They also prefer to hide within five feet or less of their food and water source.
German cockroach females carry the egg capsule on the under side of their abdomen until their capsules ready to split open. During the last three or four days prior to dropping her egg case, the female German cockroach does not venture out for food or water. The case is then placed in a isolated location, with the nymphs emerging within the hour or as long as a week. A female may produce four to six cases during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days, and nymphs develop in 40 to 125 days. These roaches produce more eggs and have more generations per year than other roaches, and only a few are needed to develop into problematic infestations.
Inspect sacks, cartons and boxes, etc., brought into the house, and destroy any roaches or egg capsules that you may find. Sanitation is critical in roach control. Clean up spilled foods and liquids, avoid leaving scraps of food on unwashed dishes and counter tops. Keep food in tightly sealed containers, rinse cans and bottles before putting them in the trash and transfer garbage outdoors as soon as possible.
Q&A: What are the most common household pests and what steps can I take to help keep my home pest-free?
Common household pests include insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, flies, pantry pests, bees and wasps. Remember, most pests need food, water and a place to live. Eliminating any one of those elements will help significantly in controlling the pest. There are a number of steps homeowners can take to help keep their homes pest free:
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