Cockroaches and Termites

"Humans, it seemed, were like cockroaches. They could thrive anywhere."
- Christopher Golden

Introduction

The order Blattodea includes 500 genera of cockroach and 300 genera of termite. These critters exist on every continent, and act as omnivores and detritivores, living in crevices, vegetation, litter, and even in water. A small number of species have cozied up to urban spaces, and have become major pests of homes and other structures. Both cockroaches and termites have an affection for warm, humid places, burrowing, vibrational communication, and trail following. They are social creatures, living longer and having more energy when living in groups.

Cockroaches, also called "Roaches", are primarily nocturnal critters, foraging for food and water during nighttime hours. They are scavengers, and will eat almost anything that comes from a living organism, including plants and animals. They are roughly oval in shape with a shield-like plate that covers their thorax and posterior region of the head. Antennae have many segments, are long and slender, and serve as tactile sensors and air-speed measurement tools. They also are used to smell food and find mates.

Cockroaches engage in behaviors to keep their antennae clean, which improves their ability to smell and sense physical obstacles. Their mouthparts are adapted for chewing. Forewings are typically leathery, and hind wings are membranous. A few species of cockroach can fly short distances, or glide through the air on warm nights, but typically species have no wings, reduced wings, or otherwise just do not use them to fly. Young nymphs are similar in looks to adults, but are smaller and wingless. Cockroaches can range in size from less than 0.5 inches long to almost 2 inches long.

Cockroach Behavior

Female cockroaches produce egg sacs called oothecas that protrude from the tip of their abdomen. These ootheca can hold from 12 to 25 eggs, which have around a 30-day incubation period. The ootheca is typically dropped when the eggs hatch, but can be discarded earlier. If it is released before the eggs are ready to hatch, it is left strategically placed in a moist crevice or other protected area. In most species, growth from hatching to the adult form takes between three and four months, but in a few species the nymph stage lasts for years. These critters tend to hide in dark spaces that are warm, especially in narrow cracks where surfaces touch them on both sides. They tend to congregate in corners while foraging, generally travelling along edges of walls or other surfaces to find food and water.

Cockroaches prefer warm, moist areas and love to hide in wood piles and similar debris in the garden.

Female cockroaches will produce oothecas, or egg sacs, that protrude from their back ends.

Nymph cockroaches are much smaller than adult cockroaches.

Different species of cockroach will exhibit unique behaviors; some are harmless to human habitations and landscapes, others are quite destructive and invasive. Cockroaches are typically depicted as large, dirty, disgusting critters, though a majority of species are small and inoffensive to humans. They are capable of tolerating a very wide range of climates, making them one of the earth's greatest survivors. Some species have elaborate social structures, which involve common shelter, social dependence, information transfer, and recognition of kin. Some cockroaches even exhibit parental care of their young.

Cockroach Species

Cockroaches belong to the order Blattodea, and out of the 4,600 species, around 30 are known as pests of human habitats. They are ancient critters, their genetic history dating back to around 320 million years ago.

Blatta orientalis
(Oriental Cockroach)
With a worldwide distribution, this cockroach prefers damp locations in and around human habitations.

Blattella asahinai
(Asian Cockroach)
Common in the United States, this species is nearly identical in looks to the German Cockroach; predominately found outdoors in plant litter and damp areas.

Blattella germanica
(German Cockroach, Croton Bug)
Black to tan bodies to 0.6 inches long. Can barely fly. Pests of buildings like restaurants, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Blattella vaga
(Field Cockroach)
Found in many areas worldwide. Primarily an outdoor species. Flies readily and is attracted to lights. Tan body with a black area between the eyes.

Drymaplaneta communis
(Common Shining Cockroach)
Native to Australia, these cockroaches feed on organic matter and are commonly found under the bark of eucalyptus trees. Found in homes and garden spaces.

Eurycotis floridana
(Florida Woods Cockroach)
To 1.6 inches long, these cockroaches can spray a foul-smelling substance up to 3.3 feet. Mostly active oudoors, rarely comes into buildings.

Luridiblatta trivittata
(Three-Lined Cockroach)
Native to the Mediterranean, this species is found in leaf litter in landscapes. Can invade structures during drier parts of the year.

Nauphoeta cinerea
(Lobster Cockroach)
Mottled brown to ashy grey bodies to 1.1 inches long. The common name is derived from the lobster like design on the body. Primarily an outdoor species.

Panchlora nivea
(Green Banana Cockroach)
This tropical species can reach up to an inch long, and are pale green to yellowish in color. Strong fliers. Primarily an outdoor species; not considered a pest.

Parcoblatta pensylvanica
(Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach)
Dark brown cockroaches; larger males have the ability to fly. Occurs in open, timbered areas with little groundcover. Rarely breed indoors.

Periplaneta americana
(American Cockroach)
Native to Africa and the Middle East, these critters typically reach 1.6 inches in length. Omnivorous; cannot fly. They are common household and garden pests.

Periplaneta australasiae
(Australian Cockroach)
To 1.4 inches long, these cockroaches are predominately brown, and can be found worldwide. Often lives around the perimeters of buildings, and scavenges as needed.

Periplaneta brunnea
(Brown Cockroach)
These cockroaches have a worldwide distribution, and are reddish-brown to 1.5 inches long. Considered a household pest.

Periplaneta fuliginosa
(Smokybrown Cockroach)
To 1.4 inches long, with a shiny, mahogany body. They are pests of homes.

Periplaneta lateralis
(Turkestan Cockroach)
Orange, brown, or dark black cockroaches to 1.2 inches long. Males can fly and are attracted to lights.

Pycnoscelus surinamensis
(Greenhouse Cockroach)
Native to tropical and subtropical regions, this species prefers the warm environments of greenhouses, and reaches up to an inch long. Crop and garden pest.

Polyzosteria limbata
(Botany Bay Cockroach)
Native to Australia, this species has a wide back, and looks a bit like a roly-poly or pill millipede.

Supella longipalpa
(Brown-Banded Cockroach)
These cockroaches are tan to light brown, to half an inch long. Pests of homes and other structures.

Termites

There are approximately 2,972 species of termites that have been documented and are still living, 2,105 of which are in the family Termitidae. There are three main types of termites: Subterranean, Dampwood, and Drywood. All three feed on wood products. Subterranean termites live in soil and need constant contact with the soil to get the moisture they need to survive. They build nests in soil and infest wood that is in contact with soil, or access wood farther away from nests using earthen shelter tubes. Dampwood termites nest in very moist wood and soil and are most often found in cool, humid areas along coastlines. Drywood termites nest above ground, typically in dry wood like lumber, utility poles, fences, and dead tree limbs.

Subterannean termites require moist environments to survive.

Dampwood termites are typically found in decaying wood or places with high moisture.

Drywood termites can infest dead wood in trees near bodies of water.

Termite Behavior

Termites, like ants, form caste systems within their nests. Workers (fertile or sterile) are responsible for foraging, food storage, and brood and nest maintenance. They are all female, and are likely to be found feeding on infested wood. Soldier termites are tasked with defending the colony, equipped with highly modified powerful jaws that are so large they cannot be used for feeding. Instead, soldiers are fed by the workers. Finally, the reproductive caste includes a fertile adult female and fertile adult male, known as the queen and king. These rulers form lifelong partnerships and are parents to all termites in the colony. Nests are typically made using fecal matter, chewed substances, and soil.

Worker termites are female and are typically light in color.

Soldier termites develop pincers so large that they cannot feed themselves.

A queen (largest) and king (second largest) termite surrounded by workers and soldiers.

Termite Species

Termites, commonly called White Ants, are a type of cockroach in the order Blattodea. There are almost 3,000 species of termite, divided into three groups: subterranean, dampwood, and drywood. The following list includes commonly encountered termite species in western North America.

Amitermes floridensis
Florida Darkwinged
Subterranean Termite

Coptotermes formosanus
Formosan Termite

Coptotermes gestroi
Asian Subterranean Termite

Cryptotermes brevis
West Indian Drywood Termite, Powderpost Termite

Cryptotermes domesticus
Domestic Drywood Termite

Gnathamitermes perplexus
Long-Jawed Desert Terite, Tube-Building Termite

Heterotermes aureus
Desert Subterranean Termite

Hodotermopsis sjostedti
Asian Dampwood Termite

Incisitermes minor
Western Drywood Termite

Marginitermes hubbardi
Light Western Drywood Termite

Neotermes castaneus
Southern Dmpwood Termite, Florida Dampwood Termite

Pterotermes occidentis

Reticulitermes arenicola

Reticulitermes flavipes
Eastern Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes hageni
Light Southeastern Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes hesperus
Western Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes lucifugus

Reticulitermes tibialis
Arid-Land Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes virginicus

Tenuirostritermes cinereus

Zootermopsis angusticollis
Pacific Dampwood Termite, Rottenwood Termite

Zootermopsis laticeps
Arizona Dampwood Termite, Wide-headed Rottenwood Termite, Southwestern Rottenwood Termite

Zootermopsis nevadensis
Nevada Termite

Cockroaches and Termites in the Home and Garden

Termites and cockroaches are present in every terrestrial climate around the world, and are generally found outdoors. Typically, they are organisms that work within their environments to survive, and don't cause any issues that would affect humans. However, if populations are high outdoors, when inclement weather arrives, cockroaches and termites may take shelter in nearby buildings. This is where the worlds of humans and these organisms collide. Termites cause physical damage to buildings, using their powerful jaws to eat wood. This can cause issues in the structural integrity of homes and businesses, and can also be devastating for landscape trees. Cockroaches, although generally harmless to humans, do carry diseases that can be passed on to humans. Indoor infestations have been identified as risk factors for the development of asthma in children, for example.

Controlling Cockroaches

Managing cockroaches is not an easy task. For infestations that have been generally allowed to grow undisturbed for a long period of time, professional pest management services are typically required. However, cockroaches can be managed by home gardeners by following a few general guidelines:

Know Who You're Dealing With
The first step in any pest management program is to know which species are present. It is also very helpful to locate all of the areas in which they congregate. The more hiding places that are identified, the more successful the control program will be. Most cockroaches are tropical in origin, and prefer warm, dark, hiding places with access to water.

Restrict Access
Reduce the food and water sources available to cockraoches in areas where they are unwanted. Having crumbs on countertops or spilled spices in cabinets, and keeping snacks in their original packaging (most of which is not re-sealable) are all factors that draw in cockroaches. When they do not have access to food sources like these, they are more likely to leave the area alone, and also more likely to depend on the sustenance offered by bait traps.

Gettin' Sticky With It
Sticky traps or glue boards can go a long way in detecting and monitoring populations. Place them in several locations and monitor them regularly to determine where pest control efforts are most needed (and where they will be most effective).

Clean, Clean, Clean
Cockroach populations thrive where food and water are available. Keep garbage and trash in containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep under-sink areas clean in bathrooms and kitchens. Fix any leaky pipes or other sources of moisture, and increase ventilation in areas where moisture and condensation are problematic. Vacuum often, concentrating on cracks and areas where cockroaches can hide.

No More Hiding Places
Cockroaches are most active at night, taking shelter in dark, warm areas during the day. Limiting these hiding spaces is essential to management of their populations. Seal any openings in cupboards, along baseboards or near doors and windows, and use door sweeps to fill in cracks at entry and exit points.

Trim and Proper
Locate trees and shrubs around buildings that have foliage or branches that reach out to the structure. Pay special attention to areas near vents and crawlspace entrances, and eliminate any shrubby groundcovers like ivy near homes and other buildings. These plants are notorious for harboring cockroaches as well as other unwanted visitors like rats and mice.

Get Gravel-Happy
In addition to clearing debris and dense plant material from the outside of a structure, it can also help to put down gravel in a strip about 6-12 inches wide around the entire building. Gravel helps to reduce moisture, which makes the area less hospitable for unwanted guests.

Just Bait It
If all of the above suggestions do not work after a season or so of fighting these intruders, baits can be used. Bait is the primary product used to treat infestations, and can be packaged as pastes, gels, and granules. They are not effective against all cockroaches, for example females with egg cases who do not do much feeding, and Brown Banded cockroaches. These products can take as much as 7 days to start working. Place baits where cockroaches are likely to encounter them while foraging for food. Pesticides and insecticides alone will not solve a cockroach problem, so do not use them as a first attempt. Instead, use them as a safety net.

Controlling Termites

Termite control can be completed partially by homeowners, but in some situations, especially if these organisms are threatening the structural integrity of your home or business, it is best to call a professional pest company for help. Home remedies for termite prevention and control include:

Set Boundaries
Create and maintain a 12-inch barrier of smooth concrete, coarse sand, or gravel between the soil and structural wood beneath a building. This includes having a gravel strip around the base of structures. This will help to keep these areas free of moisture, and also not provide a medium that termites can tunnel through or hide in.

The Right Stuff
Choose the best materials for building foundations and outdoor structures. Termite-resistant wood is ideal, and at least using concrete footers for fences and structures that contact soil is recommended. This tip works because termites will typically only consume wet wood that is in direct contact (or almost direct contact) with moist soil.

Don't Pile It Up
Remove piles of firewood or unused construction wood, untreated fence posts, and buried scrap wood near structures. This gives termites a direct pathway to use to get to the wood in homes from their home in the soil.

Tip Top Shape
Keep foundation cracks repaired, plumbing leaks fixed, and faulty grades flattened. Exterior defects in structural wood should also be fixed. All wood that is exposed to the elements should be treated or properly finished using sealants or paint.

Remove Shelter
Destroy any shelter tubes when you see them. These transportation corridors are typically built between soil and wood structures in order to keep termites safe and to maintain moisture along their journey between the nest and feeding areas.

For more information about creating a comprehensive, sustainable pest management system on your property, consult the following page:

Pests & Pest Management