Pest or Vermin:
Cockroaches
All Cockroaches
Appearance:
12-15mm, mid brown, with a yellow brown thorax having two dark brown stripes. Long
antennae. Wings full length in male but 2/3 length in the female.
Food:
various, Omnivorous including any organic matter including human waste.
Habitat:
The insect prefers a warm moist environment, inside tray wash plant, inside
switch boxes, motor housings, panels inside machines, fridge motors, conduits etc.
The insect is often found in steamers and around the linings of provers, it can also
exploit small gaps squeezing into joints. It will take up residence inside drink
dispensing machines, optics, beer and drink coolers, hollow legs of tables and
equipment. It can sometimes be found behind door seals and in voids.
Breeding:
The female carries the ootheca until hatching, it is often seen hanging out of the
abdomen. 4-8 ootheca are produced each containing 30-40 eggs. Incubation is
approx 17 days at 30c. There are 6-7 Nymphal stages to adulthood. The longevity
of the insect is 128 days for male and 153 for the female.
Diseases:
Pests and vermin may carry diseases. A disease is an abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism. It is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs
Damage:
This cockroach exploits bad hygiene practices and proofing defects, it can
contaminate food contact surfaces and food material with vomit and defecated
material. It carries diseases mechanically and infests food products causing cost
and possible litigation.