Cockroaches pose a serious threat to human health. They, cockroaches emit allergens that worsen asthma symptoms and transmit disease pathogens that cause diarrhea, typhoid fever, dysentery and food poisoning among other ailments. Cockroaches are also loathed by most people and evoke a stigma that creates the perception that infested homes and businesses are dirty and disgusting. This reputation can have a devastating effect on restaurants, apartment houses’ and homeowners self esteem.
Types of Cockroaches
There are six important cockroach species and many more that are not usually significant to us.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach (Blattela germanica) is the most important. This cockroach is ½” to 5/8” long, usually tan to light brown with two (2) dark stripes on it pronotum (the area directly behind the head). The female may have an egg capsule protruding from the end of her abdomen, each egg capsule contains thirty to forty (30-40) young which can become adults in only fifty (50) days. No wonder they become so numerous in a short time. They are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach (Periplanta Americana) is quite large measuring 1 ¼” to 2 1/8” long this cockroach is also known as the waterbug or palmetto bug. They are found in the north and in the south where they thrive outdoors. American cockroaches are usually a light mahogany color with a light horizontal stripe behind the head on the pronotum. They prefer dark moist areas near food sources.
Australian Cockroach
The Australian cockroach (Periplantea australasiae), typically grow up to 1 ¼” long. They resemble the American cockroach in size and color but they have pale yellow stripes at the base of the wing pads and the forward margin of the pronotum. It is not commonly found indoors but will invade when temperatures are high, it can be brought indoors on house plants.
Oriental Cockroach
The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) grows up to 1” long and is a shiny dark brown or black; it cannot fly and is a poor climber on smooth surfaces. Oriental cockroaches are very susceptible to dehydration and are usually found in basements and crawl spaces.
Smoky Brown Cockroach
The Smoky brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa) is 1 ¼” to 1 ½” long and dark uniform mahogany in color, they are found outdoors in the south, hiding in mulch, leaf litter and ground cover. The smoky brown cockroach is sometimes found dead in houses likely due to dehydration. They typically enter homes through attics and other open spaces.
Brown Banded Cockroach
The Brown banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) average 5/8” long and are similar in size and appearance except they have two horizontal brown bands on their wings. Brown banded cockroaches inhabit homes across the United States. They prefer warm climates but can be found in structures in any area. Unlike German cockroaches, brown banded cockroaches are usually NOT found in kitchens, they prefer furniture, behind picture frames, light fixtures and dropped ceilings.
There are two species, the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and the smaller more aggressive southern flying squirrel (G. vocans). Both species are nocturnal. Although they usually nest in trees, flying squirrels sometimes enter structures where they can cause serious damage to wiring and structural wood. There can be as many as 20-30 squirrels living in one structure. Their nocturnal activities can make living with them nearly impossible. Both species are active year round. The northern species has one litter of three (3) and sometimes four (4) young per year. The southern species may have two litters per year.
Lawns are beautiful whether in parks, town squares, school yards or at your home. They add peace and tranquility to our lives but they are more than that. Lawns gobble up carbon monoxide and other emissions through photosynthesis and oxygen replenishment.
Lawns are a natural air conditioner that reduces temperatures and sound. Lawns filter dust and keep it out of little noses and big engines. The root and thatch zone is a water purifier. Water percolates better through a lawn root zone than through compacted soil which reduces the chance of standing water, a mosquitoes dream home.
So remember grass is more than something to mow, soil stabilization, air and water purification, stress reduction and just plain good looks are all part of grass.
I have a sycamore tree in my backyard. The leaves started emerging earlier this month, but several have fallen off. There is a white suede-like substance covering the ones that have fallen. Any idea what this could be?
- Carolyn G.
Doc’s Answer:
This disease is known as sycamore anthracnose. It attacks most sycamore species and is considered a chronic disease. It attacks the tree especially in cool moist springs.
If your tree is vigorous it will likely re-leaf in time for summer.
Repeated defoliation over the years can cause the trees decline. There are several therapies and medicaments available to control this disease. Often a simple fertilization is all that is needed.
What used to be a pleasant interlude has become a disaster in many landscapes today. Deer damage many of our beautiful landscape plants by feeding on them especially because of the large herds we now have. They also cause damage by “bedding down” in bushes and cause considerable damage by rubbing the velvet off their antlers after they are fully grown.
Deer are usually nocturnal feeders but often will feed in the daytime. Because deer do not have upper incisors (front teeth) they must tear their food from the plant causing additional damage.
Deer Repellants
In recent years several companies have developed deer repellants some of which are excellent deterrents. They are usually applied by landscapers and arborists using power equipment. If you are already an American Four Seasons client you can easily add deer repellency to your program. If you would like only deer repellency I recommend using our organic treatment 4 times per year.
For a free consulation or to ask Doc a question call or email us today!
This is the time of the year when lady bugs can become a problem indoors. A rather new exotic insect called the Asian lady beetle moved into homes last fall to over winter in void spaces and attics. Now, since the scene is warming their hiding places, they are trying to get back outside to continue their life cycle.
Basically, these are beneficial insects that feed on aphids and other bad guy bug in the landscape. But when confined in large numbers (usually thousands) the become allergens to sensitive people. If you experience Asian lady bugs in your home this year have hour home protected next fall by a professional pest management specialist.
For a free consulation or to ask Doc a question call or email us today!
As promised here is a summary of the recent southeastern Michigan bed bug workshop from December 14, 2009.
Bed Bug Workshop Sponsors
The workshop was sponsored by Michigan Association of Housing Officials, City of Detroit’s Buildings and Safety Engineering Department and the Michigan Bed Bug Working Group.
Speakers included:
Karla Henderson – City of Detroit, Buildings and Safety Engineering
Erik Foster – Michigan Department of Community Health
Andy Murdock – Michigan Pest Management Association
Brian Rowe – Michigan Department of Agriculture
Gary Offenbacker – Property Managers Association of Michigan
Howard Asch – Michigan Association of Housing Officials
Kim James and Steve Leggat – City of Detroit, Buildings and Safety Engineering
The main take away message in my view was pro-active cooperation between all affected parties.
The speakers could not have been better chosen each one was an expert in his or her field.
Bed Bug Topics Covered:
Do bed bugs cause disease?
Where do bed bugs come from?
How do homes become infested with bed bugs?
How can you tell if your residence is infested with bed bugs?
What should you do if you find bed bugs?
What are your rights and obligations concerning bed bugs?
What you shouldn’t do if you have bed bugs?
How can you have bed bug specimens examined?
What should you know abut bed bug insecticides?
What might you do when returning from a bed bug infested residence?
How to inspect for bed bugs?
How to hire a bed bug pest control company?
Known as the Caribbean, brown, hairy or raspberry crazy ant. This new problem has been identified in Florida, Texas and Mississippi.The exact name and classification of this ant is still not known. Standard treatment do not work because of the huge numbers of ants. It has been estimated a single nest underground may be as large as a small house. If you see hundreds of small ants scurrying in erotic directions… It’s time to call a professional.
The Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Kauai are infested with an extremely invasive ant species known as the “Tiny Fire Ant“. The Tiny Fire Ant lives in areas similar to the red fire ant, but can also live in trees. This makes control a nightmare. I hope this sub tropical species does not migrate to the continental US, we already have enough trouble with our native species.
