There are 57 known species of roaches in the United States.

Most species are nocturnal, so you may have them, but never see them. If you find feces that look like grains of pepper or oval, brown egg cases, then you know that you definitely have them. Roach eggs are carried by the female under her body until the eggs (about 40) are ready to hatch.

The nymph or young roach becomes an adult in two to three months. Roaches normally live for nine to 10 months but some species can live as long as three years depending on the environment and food supply.

Cockroaches love warm, damp areas but dislike lighted rooms. Roaches can feed on just about anything including paper, leather fabrics, and food.

While seemingly harmless, roaches can transmit serious diseases like typhoid fever and cholera. The germs responsible for these diseases are picked up by roaches and then carried on to food. Roaches also transmit dysentery, the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine caused by bacterial or viral infection. Roaches can also pass on parasitic worms, the viruses of poliomyelitis, and other microorganisms such as those carrying hepatitis A and leprosy.

“A report by the US Agricultural Department cited studies which show that millions of people are allergic to cockroaches. Reactions can range from a runny nose and skin irritation to difficulty in breathing, shock, and in extreme cases, even death,” said the editors of “Health Alert”, a publication of the Health Action Information Network.

To reduce the chances of having roaches: avoid dampness within the house. Keep your house clean and tidy. Store food in closed containers. Trash should be in closed containers and disposed as soon as possible. Remove clutter such as newspapers, piles of boxes, and especially anywhere you have already seen roaches.

Be sure to call your local pest exterminator when you see roaches. It can be hard to them out of your house completely once they are there.

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