Pest Information - Roaches
There are over 4,000 species of roaches but only 12-14 are associated with humans. This site will focus on the roaches most commonly found in Hawaii. Learn about their Appearance, Habitat, Diet, Health Risks, and Reproduction.
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Oriental Roach
Scientific Name
Blatta orientalis
AKA: Water bug
Appearance
Adult Oriental cockroaches are shiny, dark brown or black, about 1 to 1-1/4-inch long and have nonfunctional wings incapable of flight. Females are about 1-1/4-inch long, broad and have only little pads for wings.
Habitat
Due to their large size and slow development, large infestations of these insects are not common within houses. However, during certain times of the year, they may move inside a house from outside sources.
Diet
They can live without food for a month if water is present, but die in two weeks without food and water.
Type of Damage
Roaches can foul food and produce an unpleasant odor.
Health Risks
Some homeowners are allergic to roaches, and the pests can contaminate food with certain bacterial diseases that result in food poisoning, dysentery or diarrhea. Cockroaches can cause childhood asthma.
Life Cycle
Adult females can live up to one year, during which they produce an average of 150 young.
Interesting Facts
Unlike other pest cockroaches, oriental cockroaches cannot climb up smooth surfaces (they lack sticky pads on their feet).