SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BEES &THEIR PREVENTION METHODS...

Bees

	Beekeepers use smoke to calm bees when they are collecting honey or relocating a hive.	Bees make honey to feed their young and so they have something to eat during the winter.
There are about 20,000 different species of bees in the world. Bees live in colonies and there are three types of bees in each colony. There is the queen bee, the worker bee and the drone. The worker bee and the queen bee are both female, but only the queen bee can reproduce. All drones are male. Worker bees clean the hive, collecting pollen and nectar to feed the colony and they take care of the offspring. The drone’s only job is to mate with the queen. The queen’s only job is to lay eggs. Bees store their venom in a sac attached to their stinger and only female bees sting. That is because the stinger, called an ovipositor, is part of the female bee’s reproductive design. A queen bee uses her ovipositor to lay eggs as well as sting. Sterile females, also called worker bees, don’t lay eggs. They just use their ovipositors to sting. Bees see all colors except the color red. That and their sense of smell help them find the flowers they need to collect pollen. Not only is pollen a food source for bees, but some of the pollen is dropped in flight, resulting in cross pollination. The relationship between the plant and the insect is called symbiosis. Certain species of bees die after stinging because their stingers, which are attached to their abdomen, have little barbs or hooks on them. When this type of bee tries to fly away after stinging something, part of the abdomen is ripped away.

Bumble Bees

	Bumblebees are considered to be beneficial insects because they pollinate crops and plants. They are very social bees and live in large "families". Unlike honeybees, bumblebees can sting more than once because their stingers are smooth and do not get caught in the skin when they fly away.
		Size: 1" Shape: Oval, bee shaped Color: Black with yellow stripes	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Bumble Bee Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Species: Bombus

DIET

Worker bees gather both pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the larvae and other members of the colony.

HABITAT

Bumblebees often nest in the ground, but can be found above ground around patio areas or decks. They will sometimes build their nests in attics or under roof beams. If disturbed, bumblebees will buzz in a loud volume, and they will aggressively defend their nests.

IMPACT

As part of the aggressive defense of their nests, bumblebees will chase nest invaders for long distances. The bumblebee sting is one of the most painful stings. Swelling and irritation can last for days after you are actually stung.

PREVENTION

• Bumblebees can be prevented through inspection of potential nesting areas and removal of potential nesting materials.
• Because bumblebees will sting when threatened, homeowners are advised not to address the infestation themselves. A pest management professional or beekeeper should be called in to help.

Carpenter Bees

	Carpenter bees are solitary bees. They build nests just for themselves and only feed their own young. They get their name from their ability to drill through wood. Carpenter bee stingers are not barbed, so they are able to sting over and over again.
		Size: 1" Shape: Oval, bee shaped Color: Blue-black	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Carpenter Bee Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Species: Xylocopa

DIET

Worker bees gather both pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the larvae and other members of the colony.

HABITAT

Carpenter bees bore through soft woods to lay eggs and protect their larvae as they develop. Female carpenter bees will chew a tunnel into a piece of wood to build a nest gallery. The bits of wood she chews and deposits outside the nest are called "frass". The tunnel openings usually look about one or two inches deep, but they can be up to 10 feet long! These tunnels usually have several rooms where the bees hold their eggs and food.

IMPACT

Carpenter bees do not pose a public health threat, but they can do cosmetic damage to the wood where they build their nests. Carpenter bees are beneficial because they pollinate plants that are ignored by Honeybees.

PREVENTION

• Carpenter bees can drill into almost any wood, but prefer bare wood, so painting and staining wood can sometimes deter them.
• However, they will sometimes attack stained or painted wood, and their nests can be hard to reach, so a pest management professional or beekeeper should be called in to help.

Honeybee

	Honeybees live in large "families" and are found all over the world. The honeybee is the only social insect whose colony can survive many years. That is because they huddle together and eat honey to keep themselves alive during the winter months. Honeybees pollinate more than 100 crops in the U.S. Their wings flap 11,000 times per minute, which is why it sounds like they are "buzzing". Honeybees can only sting once, because their stingers are barbed and tear off when they try to get away.
		Size: 1/2" Shape: Oval, bee shaped Color: Golden yellow with brown bands	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Honeybee Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Species: Apis

DIET

Honeybees produce honey from pollen and nectar of the plants they pollinate. They store the honey in honeycombs in their nests, which they use to feed their young in colder months.

HABITAT

Honeybee nests vary in size. They typically build their nests in tree crevices, but will occasionally build nests in attics or chimneys.

IMPACT

Honeybees do sting, but they only sting once. The sting can be extremely painful if the stinger is not immediately removed from the skin. Persons allergic to insect stings will have a more severe reaction.

PREVENTION

• Because honeybee colonies can be extremely large and removal can be very messy, only a pest management professional or experienced beekeeper can safely remove a honeybee nest.

Killer Bee

	The Africanized Honeybee, also known as the "killer bee" lives in South America and the Western and Southern United States. They have been known to chase people for over a quarter of a mile once they get excited and aggressive. Even though they are called "Killer" bees, their venom is no more dangerous than regular honeybees. Their attacks are more harmful because they tend to attack in greater numbers, increasing your chance of having a severe allergic reaction to the venom released when they sting you. "Killer bees" can only sting once, because their stingers are barbed and tear off when they try to get away.
		Size: 1/2" Shape: Oval, bee shape Color: Golden yellow with darker bands of brown.	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Africanized Honey Bees Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Species: Apis

DIET

Worker bees gather both pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the larvae and other members of the colony.

HABITAT

Africanized bees have small colonies, so they can build nests in unique places. They have been known to live in tires, crates, boxes, and empty cars.

IMPACT

Their venom is no more dangerous than regular honeybees-they just tend to attack in greater numbers, dramatically increasing the odds of having an allergic reaction to the venom. If you are chased by Africanized honeybees run in a zigzag pattern and seek shelter in a house or car. Do not jump in the water! They will just wait around until you come up for air.

PREVENTION

• Because of the aggressive nature of these pests, a pest management professional or beekeeper should be called in to help.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WASPS AND THEIR PREVENTION METHODS

Wasps

There are 4,000 kinds of wasps in the United States. Typically, Wasps are most active during the day and usually return to their nests at dusk. Most wasps live less than one year and some only live for a few months. Queens sometimes live for several years.

Common home remedies for stings include coating the sting site with a meat tenderizer/water solution rinse, baking soda paste or even rubbing the site with an aluminum based deodorant!

Bald-Faced Hornet

	Bald-faced hornets get their name from the large white patches on their faces. They can be found across the United States. Its main predators are bears and raccoons.
		Size: 3/4" Shape: Wasp Color: Black and white	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Bald-Faced Hornet Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Species: Dolichovespula maculata

DIET

Bald-faced hornets eat nectar and fruit juices.

HABITAT

Bald-faced hornets house their colonies inside large nests that they build hanging from trees, bushes, vegetation and occasionally from buildings. A single mated queen starts a new nest each spring by laying eggs inside a small nest made from paper strips and loose bark. The workers then gradually expand the size of the nest until it is larger than a basketball by the end of the summer. The queen lives deep in the nest, so she is always protected.

IMPACT

Bald-faced hornets are aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that invades their space. They have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again. Their stings also carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch or swell for about 24 hours. Humans are at the same risk of allergic reactions from a bald-faced hornet sting as with other hornet stings.

PREVENTION

• Do not leave sweet drinks or meats out in the open.
• Call a pest management professional if you find hornets around your house.

European Hornet

	European hornets are much larger than other wasps. Unlike most other stinging insects, European hornets will fly at night. Queens are the only females to reproduce. Most other hornets are female workers who build the hive, gather food, feed the young, and protect the colony. There are few males (also called drones) in the hive. Since their job is to mate with the queen, males typically die soon after mating.
		Size: 1 1/2" Shape: Wasp Color: Black with yellow markings	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: European Hornet Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Species: Vespa crabro

DIET

Their diet consists mainly of large insects such grasshoppers, flies, bees, and yellow jackets. They also eat tree sap, fruit and honeydew. And, unlike other species of hornet, the European hornet will hunt in groups.

HABITAT

Nests are typically built in hollow trees, but they are often found in barns, sheds, attics, and hollow areas of house walls. Unlike its cousins the yellow jacket and the bald-faced hornets, European hornets rarely build nests that are free hanging or in unprotected areas, such as tree limbs. They use decaying wood fiber to build a shell around their nest as protection. As winter approaches, the worker bees die off and the Queen will leave the existing nest and find an empty log or other sheltered spot to spend the winter.

IMPACT

European hornets can do a great deal of damage to trees and shrubs, because they strip the bark to get to the sap. They also use the bark fiber to build their nests. They have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again. Their stings also carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch or swell for about 24 hours. A European hornet sting has the same risk of allergic reactions from as with other wasp stings.

PREVENTION

• Do not leave sweet drinks or meats out in the open.
• Call a pest management professional if you find hornets around your house.

Yellow Jacket

		Size: 3/8" to 5/8" Shape: Wasp Color: Black with yellow stripes	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Yellow Jacket Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Species: Vespula vulgaris

DIET

Yellow jackets eat spiders and insects. They will also feed on human food, especially meats and sweets. Unlike bees, wasps do not make honey or store food.

HABITAT

Yellow jackets like to be where humans live. They usually build their nests underground, around garbage and in cool, dark spaces. They also build nests in trees, shrubs and in holes in walls. Most yellow jacket colonies only remain active for one year. Then the queen flies off to start a new colony. The remaining bees die in the fall and the nest is abandoned. Look for yellow jacket nests during the day, because you can see them flying in and out, but destroy nests at night, when they are dormant and all there.

IMPACT

Wasps help farmers by eating pests that can destroy crops. They are dangerous because they can sting multiple times, injecting venom into the host. For most people a yellow jacket sting just causes a welt and temporary pain, but their sting can cause allergic reactions to people sensitive to this venom.

PREVENTION

• Do not leave sweet drinks or meats out in the open.
• Call a pest management professional if you find yellow jackets around your house.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ANTS .....& SOME PREVENTION METHODS

Ants

	There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world. An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. If a second grader was as strong as an ant, she would be able to pick up a car! Some queen ants can live for many years and have millions of babies! Ants don’t have ears. Ants "hear" by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet. When ants fight, it is usually to the death!	When foraging, ants leave a pheromone trail so that they know where they’ve been, Queen ants have wings, which they shed when they start a new nest. Ants don’t have lungs. Oxygen enters through tiny holes all over the body and carbon dioxide leaves through the same holes. When the queen of the colony dies, the colony can only survive a few months. Queens are rarely replaced and the workers are not able to reproduce.
Although ants are frustrating when they get into your home or when you’re having a picnic, ants do help the environment. They are social insects, which means they live in large colonies or groups. Depending on the species, ant colonies can consist of millions of ants. There are three kinds of ants in a colony: The queen, the female workers, and males. The queen and the males have wings, while the workers don’t have wings. The queen is the only ant that can lay eggs. The male ant’s job is to mate with future queen ants and they do not live very long afterwards. Once the queen grows to adulthood, she spends the rest of her life laying eggs! Depending on the species, a colony may have one queen or many queens. Ant colonies also have soldier ants that protect the queen, defend the colony, gather or kill food, and attack enemy colonies in search for food and nesting space. If they defeat another ant colony, they take away eggs of the defeated ant colony. When the eggs hatch, the new ants become the "slave" ants for the colony. Some jobs of the colony include taking care of the eggs and babies, gathering food for the colony and building the anthills or mounds. Argentine Ant This species of ant is native to Argentina and Brazil and was probably introduced to the United States in freight ships around the 1890’s. These ants can be found in southern states and in California, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon and Washington. Size: 1/16"to 1/4" Shape: Segmented, Oval Color: Dark brown to black and shiny Legs: 6 Wings: Varies Antenna: Yes Common Name: Argentine Ant Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Species: Linepithema humile DIET Argentine Ants prefer sweet substances but will eat almost anything including meats, eggs, oils and fats. Also, when foraging for food, Argentine ants leave pheromone trails everywhere they go, instead of just from nest to food source. This habit ensures they do not waste time visiting the same area twice. While in other ant species worker ants are primarily responsible for gather food, Argentine queens also assist with foraging for food. HABITAT Argentine ant colonies are located in wet environments near a food source. These colonies can grow to monumental size, sometimes covering entire habitats, such as an entire garden or your whole back yard. IMPACT Argentine ants do not pose a health threat, but they can contaminate food by leaving their bodily waste behind. PREVENTION Eliminate standing water. Pests, such as ants, mosquitoes and termites, are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood. Carpenter Ants Carpenter Ants get their name because they build their nests in wood. That can cause significant damage to the wood in your house. There are nine types of carpenter ants throughout the U.S. and range in size from one-quarter inch (about the width of a pencil) for a worker carpenter ant to three-quarters of an inch (about the size of a quarter) for a queen carpenter ant. Each colony is established by a single, fertilized queen. She starts her nest in a cavity in wood, where she raises her first brood of workers. She feeds them saliva and does not leave the nest or feed herself during this time. When they are ready, those workers then get the job of gathering food to feed the next generation. Once mature, this first generation of worker ants work to increase the food supply for the colony. The colony population grows very rapidly. A colony can eventually produce 2,000 or more workers. Size: 5/8" Shape: Oval Color: Range in color from red to black Legs: 6 Wings: Varies Antenna: Yes Common Name: Carpenter Ant Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Species: Camponotus DIET Carpenter ants do not eat the wood they remove during their nest-building activities, but deposit it outside entrances to the colony in small piles. The diet of carpenter ants includes living and dead insects, meat, fats and sugary foods of all kinds, including honeydew and nectar from plants. HABITAT Carpenter ants build nests anywhere they can find water and moldy or damp wood, such as tree stumps, firewood or in the plants around your house. Carpenter ants also build nests inside, usually entering buildings through wet, damaged wood, although it isn’t uncommon for them to adapt to drier environments. IMPACT Carpenter ants don’t carry disease, but when building a nest inside a home, Carpenter Ants dig smooth tunnels inside the wood. These tunnels weaken the wood and potentially damage the wood that keeps the house standing. This kind of damage can be very expensive to fix. PREVENTION Eliminate standing water. Pests, such as ants, mosquitoes and termites, are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood. Odorous House Ants This ant gets its name from the strong, rotten coconut-like smells it gives off when crushed and the fact that they commonly nest in or around houses. Native to the United States, these ants are very social, living in colonies of up to 100,000 members. Size: 1/16"to 1/8" Shape: Segmented, Oval Color: Brown or Black Legs: 6 Wings: Varies Antenna: Yes Common Name: Odorous House Ant Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Species: Tapinoma sessile DIET Odorous house ants like to eat dead insects and sugary sweets, especially melon. HABITAT Typically living for several years, these ants commonly make their homes in exposed soil, under stones, logs, mulch, debris and other items. They will also nest in wall and floor cracks. IMPACT Odorous House ants do not pose a health threat, but they can contaminate food by leaving waste behind. PREVENTION Avoid using other individuals' combs, hats, towels, etc. Eliminate standing water. Pests, such as ants, mosquitoes and termites, are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood. Pavement Ants Although these ants can live inside, they get their name because they make their nests in or under cracks in pavement. They are typically found in the eastern half of the United States, California and Washington. Pavement ant colonies average 3,000 to 4,000 members and have several queens. Size: 1/8" Shape: Segmented, Oval Color: Dark Brown to Black Legs: 6 Wings: Varies Antenna: Yes Common Name: Pavement Ant Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Species: Tetramorium caespitum DIET These ants will eat almost anything, including insects, grease, seeds, honeydew, honey, bread, meats, nuts and cheese. HABITAT This ant gets its name because it most commonly nests in soil next to and beneath slabs, sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Indoors, pavement ants nest under a building’s foundation and within hollow foundation walls. IMPACT Pavement ants do not pose a health threat, but they can contaminate food by leaving waste behind. PREVENTION Eliminate standing water. Pests, such as ants, mosquitoes and termites, are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood. Red Imported Fire Ants Red Imported Fire Ants are more aggressive than other ant species and have a painful sting. These ants and their telltale mound nests should be actively avoided. Red Imported Fire Ants can adapt to many climates and conditions in and around their environment. For example, if the colony senses increased water levels in their nests, they will come together and form a huge ball or raft that is able to float on the water! Size: 1/8" to 3/8" Shape: Segmented, Oval Color: Dark Reddish Brown Legs: 6 Wings: Varies Antenna: Yes Common Name: Red Imported Fire Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Species: Solenopsis invicta DIET They primarily feed on vegetation. HABITAT Red imported fire ants will build their nests in mounds of soil outdoors, in landscape areas or near a building’s foundation. They occasionally enter buildings through holes or cracks in walls and foundations. IMPACT The sting of a Red Imported Fire Ant is painful and often results in a raised welt that becomes a white blister. Persons allergic to insect stings will react more severely. They are frustrating, not only because of the physical pain they can inflict, but because their mound-building activity can damage plant roots and lead to loss of crops. PREVENTION Eliminate standing water. Pests, such as ants, mosquitoes and termites, are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COCKROACHES &THEIR PREVENTION METHODS...

Cockroaches

	Cockroaches have been around since the time of dinosaurs! A cockroach can live almost a month without food. A cockroach can live about two weeks without water. Some female cockroaches only mate once and stay pregnant for life!	A cockroach can live for up to one week without its head! Cockroaches can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes! Cockroaches can run up to 3 miles an hour.

American Cockroach

	The American cockroach is the largest cockroach found in houses. Females can hatch up to 150 offspring per year. Cockroaches don’t get their wings until the become adults.
		Size: 2" Shape: Oval Color: Reddish brown, with a yellowish figure eight pattern on the back of their head	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: American Cockroach Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Dictyoptera Family: Blattidae Species: Periplaneta americana

DIET

American cockroaches will eat just about anything, including plants and other insects.

HABITAT

American cockroaches live in warm, dark, wet places, because they need to be near water. They are often found in sewers and basements, around pipes and drains.

IMPACT

Cockroaches crawl through dirty areas and then walk around our homes tracking in lots of bacteria and germs. They can contaminate food by shedding their skins. Their cast off skin and waste byproducts are allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and other illnesses, especially in children.

PREVENTION

• Keep cooking, eating and food storage areas clean and dry.
• If you see cockroaches, it is best to call a pest management professional due to the illnesses they can spread.

Brown-banded Cockroach

	Brown banded cockroaches get their name from the two light bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. The male’s wings are larger than the female’s wings. Brownbanded cockroaches often hide their eggs in or under furniture. They usually live 5-6 ½ months.
		Size: 1/2" Shape: Oval Color: Brown, with light bandds of color across wings	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Brown-banded cockroach Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Dictyoptera Family: Blattellidae Species: Supella longipalpa

DIET

Brownbanded cockroaches prefer to eat starchy foods, such as wallpaper paste and book bindings. Sometimes they’ll eat non-organic things, like nylon stockings!

HABITAT

Brownbanded cockroaches prefer warmer, drier, and higher locations than most cockroaches. While most cockroaches prefer to live in kitchens and pantries, Brownbanded cockroaches will live in any room in the house. They do not need much moisture and avoid light whenever the can.

IMPACT

Cockroaches crawl through dirty areas and then walk around our homes tracking in lots of bacteria and germs. They can contaminate food by shedding their skins. Their cast off skin and waste byproducts are allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and other illnesses, especially in children.

PREVENTION

• Keep cooking, eating and food storage areas clean and dry.
• If you see cockroaches, it is best to call a pest management professional due to the illnesses they can spread.

German Cockroach

	German cockroaches can be found all over the world. They are the most common cockroach in the United States. Each German cockroach can live about 100-200 days.
		Size: 1/2" to 5/8" Shape: Oval Color: Brown to Dark Brown	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: German Cockroach Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Blattodea Family: Blattellidae Species: Blattella germanica

DIET

Cockroaches are attracted to sweet and floury foods. They also eat non-organic items such as toothpaste and books!

HABITAT

German cockroaches live in warm and damp places, like kitchens, bathrooms, and places where people eat and drink.

IMPACT

Cockroaches crawl through dirty areas and then walk around our homes tracking in lots of bacteria and germs. They can contaminate food by shedding their skins. Their cast off skin and waste byproducts are allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and other illnesses, especially in children.

PREVENTION

• Keep cooking, eating and food storage areas clean and dry.
• If you see cockroaches, it is best to call a pest management professional due to the illnesses they can spread.

Oriental Cockroach

	Oriental Cockroaches probably get their names from trade ships but they are actually from Africa. They are large and very dark compared to other cockroaches. They usually travel through sewer pipes and drains. They prefer dirty places and cooler temperatures than other cockroaches. An Oriental cockroach creates a strong smell and is considered one of the dirtiest of all the cockroaches.
		Size: 1" Shape: Oval Color: Dark brown, almost black	Legs: 6 Wings: No Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Oriental Cockroach Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Dictyoptera Family: Blattadae Species: Blatta orientalis

DIET

Oriental cockroaches feed on all types of garbage and other organic material.

HABITAT

Oriental cockroaches also live in sewers and wet, decaying areas, such as basements and crawlspaces, firewood and piles of leaves.

IMPACT

Cockroaches crawl through dirty areas and then walk around our homes tracking in lots of bacteria and germs. They can contaminate food by shedding their skins. Their cast off skin and waste byproducts are allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and other illnesses, especially in children.

PREVENTION

• Keep your home clean and dry.
• Vacuum often and seal cracks in and around your house.
• If you see cockroaches, it is best to call a pest management professional due to the illnesses they can spread.