Huge cockroaches in the apartment - where do they come from and how to drive them away?

As a rule, many people dislike cockroaches, and as soon as someone notices them in their kitchen, they immediately begin to spray all kinds of chemicals. And we are talking about simple red cockroaches, which everyone has seen at least once in their life.

But there are a huge number of insects of this species. And their sizes reach incredible numbers. Thus, the largest cockroach is comparable in size to a mouse and, surprisingly, they are voluntarily brought into the house and raised.

In our article you will find information about the largest cockroaches in the world and see their impressive photos.

Appearance and features

Photo: What a Madagascar cockroach looks like

The Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), also known as the hissing cockroach, grows up to 7.5 cm in length when mature. These cockroaches are one of the largest species of cockroaches. They are brown, wingless and have long antennae. Males have large bulges in the chest and antennae that are moister than those of females.

Unlike most other cockroaches, they do not have wings. They are excellent climbers and can climb smooth glass. Males are distinguished from females by thicker, hairier antennae and pronounced “horns” on the pronotum. Females carry a carton with eggs inside and release young larvae only after the eggs hatch.

Like some other forest-dwelling cockroaches, parents and offspring usually remain in physical contact for long periods of time. In captivity, these insects can live 5 years. They feed mainly on plant material.

While many insects use sound, the Madagascar hissing cockroach has a unique way of creating a hiss. In this insect, sound is created through the forced displacement of air through a pair of modified abdominal spiracles.

Spiracles are breathing pores that are part of the respiratory system of insects. Because the airways are involved in respiration, this method of sound production is typical of the respiratory sound produced by vertebrates. In contrast, most other insects produce sound by rubbing body parts (such as crickets) or vibrating a membrane (such as cicadas).

The largest beetle in the world

The Titan Lumberjack is the largest beetle in the world and is one of the largest insects of our day. Some sources describe individuals with a body length of up to 22 cm, but their average body length is 15 cm. The weight of these large beetles can reach 30 g. The color is dark, has a brown or even crimson tint. They have wings.

The lifespan of a beetle is 3-5 weeks. These beetles do not feed, but live off the fat reserves that they accumulated during the larval stage. The titan lumberjack beetle has whiskers, and in males they are much longer and can reach half the body length.

The titan woodcutter beetle lives throughout the Amazon and is nocturnal.

Features of reproduction

Some species can be fertilized using the principle of parthenogenesis. This is a kind of “immaculate conception” and an exception to the rule. There is also a myth that all representatives of cockroaches are hermaphrodites. Actually this is not true. To produce offspring, a female needs to have sexual contact with a male at least once.

Red and black cockroaches reproduce in a classic way. The external characteristics of males and females vary greatly. To correctly determine who is who, you don’t have to be an entomologist. Females cannot fly and look much larger than males. The latter have pronounced reproductive organs in the back of the body.

The frequency of reproduction largely depends on the mating season. In black and red cockroaches it is not fixed, so the insects mate at the first opportunity. They do not have any fights for the female.

The female herself lets you know when she is ready to mate. Sexually mature individuals secrete a specific secretion that attracts males. Red and black cockroaches peacefully break into pairs.

Black cockroach, 2-3 cm

The average length of males is 2.5 centimeters, and females can reach 3 centimeters. In appearance they resemble ordinary red cockroaches. But their peculiarity and distinctive feature is their size and glossy surface.

Most often they are black, but they can also be brown. In general, this species of cockroaches does not fly, but sometimes they use undeveloped wings to attract a male or female. You can only take off a couple of centimeters.

It is very difficult to meet them on a wall or ceiling; due to their weight, they prefer to move on the floor. The black cockroach outdoors , but prefers to do this in more greenhouse conditions.

What species end up in houses?

Not all types of cockroaches want to get into the house. But if red-haired Prussians made their way into the home, then a serious struggle awaits. Those residents who have already removed cockroaches remember their agility. It is difficult to find out where exactly these insects entered the house. But the main reasons for their appearance in the apartment are known:

• dirty dishes in the sink that haven’t been washed for a long time;
• garbage with food remains that is rarely taken out of the house;
• neighbors who already have cockroaches.

There is an increased risk of insect pests for those who live close to canteens and cafes. There are cases when cockroaches are simply brought home from work. Maintaining a clean home (especially the kitchen) is the main means of preventing the appearance of disgusting insects. Even one cockroach that gets into a house can quickly multiply. By the way, it also happens that insects appear in those who zealously monitor the cleanliness of their home.

Threat to people from black cockroaches

The settlement of unwanted insects in an apartment is not always a consequence of the carelessness of the owners. The body of black cockroaches is designed in such a way that it easily digests fabric, paper, electrical insulation, and wood.

The fact that pests damage property is not the worst thing. At night, cockroaches crawl on sleeping people and get into the ear or nose. They cannot get out on their own; attempts to get out cause pain to the person. You have to seek medical help.

The population is small, they move at night, so encounters with humans are infrequent. It’s an unpleasant sight to turn on the light in the kitchen at night and see: dozens of black cockroaches scattering from the table, crawling around the table, getting into the dishes, eating up the leftover food, leaving their excrement everywhere.

In addition to feeling disgusted, it is also a health threat. Black cockroaches live and breed wherever there is an innumerable amount of bacteria, and their favorite food is rotting foods. Then they crawl around the apartment, leaving pathogens in their path. A person becomes infected with diphtheria, typhoid fever, helminthiasis, and gastroenteritis.

Bacteria are carried on the paws, villi, antennae, and are excreted in feces. Black dots of excrement spoil the appearance of wallpaper, appliances, and tiles. In addition, they smell extremely unpleasant, the aromas are harmful to the bronchi and lungs, and cause allergies.

Lifestyle

The largest cockroach in the world lives up to 1-1.5 years, in captivity - up to three. Rarely, adults can live up to 5 years.

Their diet consists of rotting remains of fruits, berries and green plant particles. Most often, these insects live under logs in the forest, on tree branches and in rotten stumps.

Reproduction

These cockroaches are viviparous insects. After the female is fertilized, she does not lay eggs, but carries the offspring in her stomach. After 50 - 70 days, 20-40 small white cockroaches with black eyes appear. Their size is only a few millimeters. After a few hours, the outer cover hardens and the larvae become brown.

The largest cockroaches carefully treat the larvae that have just emerged. They stay near their mother for a couple of days, then spread out. Until the larvae scatter in different directions, the female, protecting them, hisses angrily at other insects and animals.

The chitinous covering of the larva does not grow, so the cockroach grows in it. Periodically, the nymph molts: the old shell cracks, and a light, grown larva emerges from it. She has a soft new shell and begins to eat her former shell.

While the nymph does this, her integument hardens and turns brown. Young insects molt 6 times, the last time 5-6 months after birth.

You can breed Madagascar hissing cockroaches at home. They can serve as food for terrarium pets: lizards, snakes, spiders, amphibians; As food, cockroaches are valued for their high calorie content and lack of odor.

Many exotic lovers keep these cockroaches as pets.

Madagascar sizzling

It is often represented as the largest cockroach in the world. But that's not true. There are even larger “animals”. But the “Madagascar” takes root well at home, does not fly and makes funny sounds if disturbed.

Interesting!

The “Madagascar” has earned its reputation as the largest due to the fact that individual specimens can grow up to 10 cm. But these are extreme, record sizes. The usual size of a hissing cockroach is 6 cm for a female and 5.5 cm for a male.

Habitat

Gromphadorhina portentosa, also known as the Madagascar hissing, is endemic to the island of Madagascar. This is a forest species, living on trees and bushes. It feeds on soft parts of plants and fruits. Lifespan in nature is 1 – 2 years. In captivity, it lives on average 2-3 years. Sometimes they live up to 5 years.

Description

Adult insects are brown in color, but their pronotum and posterior segments are darker than the main background. The male can be distinguished from the female by the presence of “horns” on the prothorax. Wings are absent in both sexes.

Madagascar sizzling Madagascar sizzling Madagascar sizzling

Interesting features

Madagascar cockroaches are not so simple. There are points that can make it difficult to keep these insects as pets:

• Madagascar is home to about 20 species of cockroaches of similar size and appearance, and they all hiss;
• merchants in stores often confuse who they are selling and often sell mismatches or hybrids;
• although the “Madagascars” cannot fly, they crawl well even on vertical glass;
• when fighting for a female, rivals try to bite off each other's mustache, since without a mustache the male cannot attract a female.

On a note!

If you just need an exotic hissing insect, then its appearance is not important, but you need to be careful in selecting a pair for breeding.

Hiss

Helps the owner determine the sex of the cockroach. The female hisses only in a dangerous situation. Males almost always hiss:

• in the fight for the female;
• during courtship;
• during mating;
• in case of danger.

The louder the male hisses, the more chances he has to please the female.

In addition to the “Madagascars”, there are other types of huge cockroaches.

Features of keeping giant cockroaches

Madagascar cockroaches are interesting and unpretentious pets. You can use an aquarium or a plastic box to keep them. The container should have a lid, partially replaced with a mesh for ventilation. A layer of peat and sand or a coke substrate is formed at the bottom. Cardboard boxes are placed inside the insectarium as shelters for pets; egg trays are especially convenient.

The optimal temperature is 25-30 0, humidity – 60-70%. It is necessary to moisten the substrate with warm water from a spray bottle. Insects prefer to live on branches. Clean branches and pieces of bark must be placed in the aquarium

Adequate nutrition is important for the survival of young animals. The diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein foods

This prevents cannibalism. The following products are useful for pets:

• crackers;
• bran;
• vegetables – carrots, cucumber, cabbage;
• fruits - apples, bananas, pears;
• meat;
• boiled eggs.

You need to feed insects 2-3 times a week. Food should not spoil; it must be removed and replaced. If there is a sufficient amount of juicy fruit, a drinking bowl is not required. The substrate is changed every month. Clean bedding prevents the appearance of mites and mold.

Large black cockroaches are one of the most unwanted guests in our homes. Garbage in the house, unwashed dishes, dampness in the bathroom can be called factors that provoke their appearance. But sometimes situations develop in such a way that insects can be found even in apartments with ideal conditions and almost sterile cleanliness

.

Reasons for the appearance of insects in the apartment

Reasons for the appearance of cockroaches Many residents of large cities wonder: where do black cockroaches come from in an apartment? There are several reasons for the mass settlement of insects in a new territory:

• there is a garbage chute in the house or a trash can nearby;
• the building has many floors, all of them are connected by ventilation hoods;
• food is stored in the apartment without protective bags;
• apartment owners often do not throw away food waste on time;
• pest control was carried out in the neighboring rooms, and all the cockroaches ran to the neighbors;
• the neighbors carried out repair work, covered up all the cracks in the ceilings, thereby forcing the insects to move into the nearest apartments.

Interesting!

Domestic cockroaches do not like noisy construction work, and while the apartment is being renovated, there is nothing special to profit from there. Therefore, if the residents of one of the apartments are engaged in reconstruction, it means that soon their closest neighbors will be visited by unwanted guests.

Body structure

If black cockroaches are infested in the house, it is difficult to confuse them with other types of pests. First, determine the length and color of the body of insects: on average 3-5 cm, but there are individuals whose size is up to 9 cm, the body color is rich black with shine. Males are slightly smaller than females. The external structure is similar to the anatomical features of representatives of other species: the body is divided into segments (chest, head, abdomen).

Structure of the head department:

• Eyes of complex structure
• Mustache
• Oral apparatus
• Simple eye.

Males have better vision than females. The antennae of insects are mobile, since with their help the functions of smell and touch are realized. Their length varies: females have shorter antennae than males. The thoracic region consists of several segments: prothorax, metathorax, mesothorax. The back covers the insect's head. Number of paws – 3 pairs.

The structure of the foot is quite complex: there are claws and a sucker. This allows the pest to move across different surfaces. Pests also have wings. The abdominal section is segmented, with only the first seven sections being large in size, the rest being reduced. The anus is located on the last segment. Sensitive processes - cerci - are also located here. The male is distinguished by the presence of protrusions called styli. They are located on the ninth abdominal segment and provide protection to the external genitalia.

The influence of special bacteria that inhabit the intestines allows us to digest foods that seem inedible to us.

The structure of the nervous system is unusual: there are several nodes, the largest nerve node implements the function of the brain. The respiratory system consists of a certain number of openings located on the abdominal segments, they are called stigmas.

Redheads (Blattella germanica)

If we consider the types of domestic cockroaches, this is the most popular family. It is also known as Prussians. No living space is immune from the appearance of red cockroaches.

It is worth noting that it is very difficult to get rid of them - insects know how to hide well, reproduce with incredible speed, and chemicals or traditional methods of killing cockroaches are ineffective.

Types of cockroaches

You can meet red cockroaches almost everywhere:

• Living spaces;
• hospitals;
• public places;
• utility rooms;
• country houses.

The body of the cockroach is slightly elongated, the chitinous shell has a reddish tint, which can range from light to very dark. Representatives of such an interesting family live near a large amount of food. Incredibly, they easily manage to penetrate even closed containers.

Types of red cockroaches

Interesting facts from the life of red cockroaches - they can find food almost everywhere. Even if you carefully hide all the leftover food, insects will easily find a few grains of sugar spilled a long time ago or stale bread crumbs.

The presence of water is vital for representatives of this family. They can go without food for a long time, but if the taps in the apartment are faulty, then the cockroaches will calmly continue to visit, constantly visiting the source of life-giving for them. They will not disdain indoor plants either - young shoots may be completely eaten

They will not disdain indoor plants either - young shoots may be completely eaten.

What to withdraw?

If you find this type of insect in your home, you should check thoroughly to see if there are any leaks from pipes or stagnant water. You may need to call a locksmith and have a professional inspection done.

At the same time, do not forget to pay attention to the risers - this is one of the most likely “routes” for cockroaches to get into your apartment. After this, you can go to your neighbors and find out all the issues mentioned above

The fight against black cockroaches can be quick and effective, or it can take a long time.

Below is a list of tools that can be used with success:

GET from cockroaches

One of the best preparations for domestic insects. The emulsion is diluted in water immediately before use strictly in the specified ratio. All suspected habitats are being processed.

The cost of one bottle is approximately 750 rubles.

Apply dotted or drip onto the surface of the floor and cabinets. It is not effective when there are large numbers of insects. Reviews are contradictory, but the majority are positive.

The price of one tube (75 ml) does not exceed 200 rubles

.

Dohlox gel

Odorless, non-toxic to people and animals. When used correctly it shows excellent results. A long-acting drug that is effective even in large populations.

It is insects that have the highest level of adaptability to environmental conditions. And speaking specifically about cockroaches, they actually know how to adapt and live in conditions of severe chemical pollution. What can we say, cockroaches can easily survive a nuclear explosion!

These pests disgust even the most persistent people, especially if they are found in their own home. However, there is a type of cockroach that is completely harmless to humans; it is often elevated to the rank of a full-fledged pet.

Cockroaches according to Aesop's dream book

A cockroach - this annoying and indestructible inhabitant of the Earth in real life is unlikely to bring you misfortune by appearing in a dream.

In the old days, the cockroach was called the “baked resident.” Because this insect loves warmth. It was believed that if there were a lot of cockroaches in a hut, this promised the owners great profit and prosperity.

The appearance of this insect in real life in a dream promises you surprise, profit, news.

Trying to catch a cockroach in a dream - in reality this means that you are doing everything possible to maintain peace and harmony in the house.

A dream in which you are trying to prevent an invasion of cockroaches with the help of chemicals - in real life, circumstances will force you to leave the business you have started, otherwise a streak of disappointments, setbacks and failures awaits you.

If you dreamed that many cockroaches had settled in your house, this dream means prosperity and good luck in business.

Killing a cockroach is good news.

Seeing a dead cockroach in a dream is a sign that all your hopes for a favorable outcome of events are unlikely to come true.

If a cockroach fell on you in a dream - success, fulfillment of desires.

Seeing large, black cockroaches in a dream means that a powerful and very influential person is plotting intrigues against you.

A dream in which you caught a cockroach on your table means that in reality your hard work will be rewarded. You can count on a substantial cash reward.

If in a dream you saw a huge cockroach trying to attack you, this means that in reality you will have to fight for your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones.

White cockroach is considered a symbol of deception and forgery.

Living next door or how to eliminate disease carriers

If cockroaches do appear in the house, there is no need to wait until they move to another apartment. They managed to leave behind many eggs and offspring. We urgently need to get rid of all reminders of an encounter with an unpleasant insect.

The first instinctive extermination is mechanical. It is carried out after the fact: saw - killed. It helps from one representative, but the method only works locally. This method cannot get rid of the entire family of longhorned beetles.

Previously, heat treatment was a popular method. Black domestic cockroaches were frozen out of the building. The method is not suitable for residents of houses with central heating. Not technically feasible.

The use of drugs of natural origin is ineffective, but is used all over the world. Repellents do have an unpleasant odor for cockroaches, but they only repel them and do not help get rid of them at all. The safety of the drug, unfortunately, has been proven not only for people, but also for insects.

Self-made traps, as well as specially made ones, are relevant. For example, a jar of butter is often used. The treat is placed inside a coated jar. After the meal, the cockroach will not be able to get out of it. Also, on the way to the bait, adhesive tape is laid out, so that a cockroach cannot just run across it. A small individual will stick completely, the largest cockroach will leave only its legs. Not a very effective remedy to get rid of barbels forever.

Insecticides kill insects outright. Chemicals entering the body destroy the insect in a matter of minutes. It can survive if it has time to drink water. But even after this, he will bring the remains of chemical components to the nest, thereby dooming his entire family to death.

Folk methods for exterminating cockroaches include boric acid. It is relatively safe for humans, accessible and effective. She is placed around the apartment for several days near areas infested with red and black neighbors.

There are about 5 thousand species of cockroaches in the world. Among them, the Blaberidae family stands out, uniting the largest insects. Up to 20 species of hissing cockroaches are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Their sizes are 50-90 mm, some giants grow up to 100 mm. The largest cockroaches in the world lack wings. They live in the forest floor, feeding on fruits and fallen leaves. Exotic lovers in all countries have these unpretentious and interesting creatures at home.

What do small cockroaches look like?

Many people, entering the kitchen at night, saw small red or black pests running away, scared away by the light turning on. Cockroaches are small and fast, so it is quite difficult to see them in such a situation. Therefore, few people know how detailed the common Prussian looks like, which lives in almost every apartment in the CIS countries. To find out what a Prussian or black cockroach looks like, it’s easier to look at photos posted on the Internet.

Photos of cockroaches found in apartments

The most frequent guests in our homes are black and red pests. They have adapted well to our climate, and people leaving behind dishes with leftover food and water create ideal conditions for an increase in the pest population. Below in the photo you can see a male red cockroach.

Prusak, as our people are used to calling red pests, is the most common pest. Black pests are inferior to them in the speed of reproduction, so they are much less common, and the red Prussian also eats the larvae that the black pest has laid.

When the larvae hatch, they differ from the adult insect in their small size, darker color, which will change after several molts, and the absence of wings. The Prusak is completely covered with a durable chitinous shell, which provides excellent protection in various dangerous situations and often saves the pest from being hit by slippers. The Prusak has long and sensitive antennae that help it find food, water and a mating partner. The size of Prussians rarely reaches more than 2 cm, the female is slightly larger than the male.

When the female is fertilized, she begins to build an ootheca (a sac where eggs are laid). The Prussian lays about 40 eggs in it and carries it with him for several weeks, after which he hides it in a dark and damp place a few days before the nymphs hatch. Within 1-2 months, nymphs molt about 4 times and become capable of procreation. During molting, the pests turn white and acquire a dark color within a couple of hours. The Prusak does not have a particularly long lifespan, and rarely live beyond a year.

Prussians are synanthropic creatures - this means that they feel more comfortable in a human home than in the wild.

Prussians have many names and in each country they call him differently. We called him the Prussian during the war with Napoleon, when it was believed that the pest was brought from Prussia. In Germany, on the contrary, the Prussian is called Russian and they believe that the pest came from us.

The Prusak has cerci (lateral processes) on the back of the body, which were present in ancient insects and served for protection; most insects lost the cerci during evolution as unnecessary.

Black house pests are distinguished by their larger size; they can reach 3-4 cm in length. Black representatives of this species have a more rounded body shape. Females have short wings and a wide abdomen, while males have slightly longer wings and can increase their jump distance by helping with their wings, but they are not able to fly.

We also have an American pest, which is more often found in nature (forests, steppes, vegetable gardens), but can enter a person’s home and adapts well to a new habitat.

In houses, they prefer to gather in large colonies and hide in dark and hard-to-reach places near sources of food and water.

Representatives of cockroaches in our homes

Sometimes white representatives of this species are found, but people do not realize that the white pests running around the kitchen are actually ordinary Prussians who have recently shed their old shell, and the new one has not had time to acquire a dark color.

A Turkmen pest is found in Kazakhstan, which is often kept in terrariums by exotic lovers. This species grows up to 7 cm and is orange in color.

Egyptian or ash insects are interesting because they feed on wood, like termites. They live in northern Africa.

Banana pests are bright green in color, which helps them hide from predators in the vegetation. Africa is considered the homeland of this species.

And of course, you can’t miss the Madagascar giant, which is often kept in terrariums. This species is also often bred as food for other exotic animals.

Reproduction and development

Many insects typically reproduce sexually, and cockroaches are no exception. To begin with, the female cockroach lures the male by secreting a special substance that is produced by her glands. After the male fertilizes the female, his gametes will be stored by the female for a long time, so in the future the female will be able to do without repeated fertilizations for some time.

During her life, a fertilized female can lay larvae up to 6 times. The lifespan of these insects can reach several years. They reproduce all year round and in any environmental conditions.

A pregnant cockroach carries a fertilized egg, which is called an ooteca. The female carries the ootheca within herself and only a few weeks before the larvae mature, she hides the egg in a secluded place. The number of larvae in the ooteca varies depending on the species; for example, the ooteca of the domestic red cockroach contains about 20 larvae.

When cockroach larvae are fully mature, they emerge from the egg and immediately begin to live with the adults. The larvae eat the same food as the adults. In order to answer the question: “What do cockroach larvae look like?” it is necessary to know the developmental features of these insects. The fact is that during the development process, the nymph is forced to go through up to 6 molts before it becomes an imago. After the nymph goes through all stages of development, it turns into a sexually mature insect that is capable of producing its own offspring.

During the molting process, the larva sheds its old shell. The first few hours after molting or birth, the insect is very vulnerable and noticeable: the color of the cockroach has not yet appeared and it is completely white (except for the eyes), the shell has not yet hardened, so the insect is very soft. It can take about 4 months for an insect to develop from egg to adult (imago). It’s not difficult to guess what a small cockroach looks like, because its appearance is not much different from an adult. But, nevertheless, there are a number of differences between the imago and the small cockroach:

• The larvae are smaller;
• Darker color;
• They have no wings.

How to identify domestic cockroaches?

Over hundreds of years, domestic cockroaches have adapted to certain living conditions - they die in cold and extreme heat, cannot live without water, and eat almost everything (in severe hunger they do not even refuse metal products). But exotic species of pests have a narrowly targeted diet.

Other indicators of domesticated cockroaches:

• have wings, but cannot fly;
• don't jump;
• develop incredible speed (except for black ones);
• usually settle in groups;
• hiding in secluded places;
• avoid human presence.

There is such a thing as a sea cockroach, but it has nothing in common with domestic and other cockroaches. The reason is that it belongs to the order of crustaceans.

Appearance of a sea insect:

Not only familiar-looking cockroaches may appear in our homes. Occasionally, no one is immune from this, exotic species of insects appear in houses that should not exist in our latitudes. Many of them bite humans and especially children, which is why it is so important to learn how to correctly recognize the type of arthropod.

Large black cockroaches in the apartment, how to get rid of them?

Temperature below minus ten

destructive for cockroaches. In an unheated room in winter they die. But this method of control, of course, is only suitable for exterminating them in country houses in the off-season.

Since ancient times, in our country they have been fighting cockroaches: laying out

in their habitats
, orange peels, bay leaves, elder flowers, pyrethrum, boric acid
mixed with boiled egg yolk. The pungent odor of these plants and substances is, in theory, due to cockroaches.

In practice, these traditional methods are not very effective.

. - one of the most ancient animals on the planet, they safely survived the dinosaurs. Evolution is taking place before our eyes: our ancestors successfully used these means, and today you can see insects crawling on them.

Killing cockroaches with a slipper is a fascinating activity, but you can’t exterminate many of them this way. You will finish off the whole pack, while the cocoons lie in a secluded place. Soon a new generation will emerge from them.

Application against poisonous cockroaches is somewhat more successful. Spray the spray in the places where they feed, you can sweep up the corpses of insects with dustpans.

The disadvantages of this solution are obvious: chemical poisons are harmful

not only for insects, but also for humans.
Before chemical treatment of a room, you must close the doors and windows tightly and leave it for a while. Children can be poisoned
by insecticides .

Among other means of struggle, we will mention adhesives, labyrinths, electrodes; , the fumes of which paralyze an insect passing through a line drawn on the floor.

IMPORTANT! The most effective remedy today is special gels. They are squeezed out of plastic syringes onto paper or stands in places of mass pilgrimage of cockroaches

The smell and taste of the gel is attractive to insects, they eat it with pleasure

. Then they die in droves from poisoning.

Among such products, popular trademarks are “”, “”, “”, “Sturm”, . Unlike aerosols, such products are safe for humans

.

If cockroaches have been living in an apartment for many years and nothing takes them out, specialists will be able to remove them. Professional sanitary services will cost several hundred rubles to comprehensively treat the premises with substances harmless to humans. In the future, if you keep your house clean, the problem will be eliminated for years.

To eliminate this danger, it is necessary to agree on sanitizing the entire house

Particular attention should be paid to eliminating sources of high humidity: eliminate hot and cold water leaks in the basement, atmospheric moisture entering the entrance, through the roof, windows, cracks. It is necessary to ensure that municipal services provide timely and accurate waste removal.

But the main thing is cleanliness, constant cleaning of the premises in your own home.

.

Wash dishes immediately, do not accumulate them in the sink. After lunch, immediately sweep the crumbs off the table. Store bread, cereals in sealed bags, and other products in the refrigerator. Take out the trash daily, preferably several times a day, especially if the garbage disposal is on the floor. You can't accumulate it in a bucket.

Understand the reasons for high humidity in the restroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Find water leaks and fix them.

Dampness can also be the result of condensation of vapors in the kitchen. Ventilate more often.

A clean house will not have cockroaches. Their presence in the apartment eloquently testifies to the lifestyle of its owners. Change your habits, harmful insects will leave you alone.

Types of domestic cockroaches

All cockroaches prefer warmth, so they live in any country except regions with permafrost (the exceptions are Lapland and steppe). They migrated from the wild to human homes several hundred years ago. In Russia they appeared in the 17th century (second half).

The scientific name for this type of cockroach is synanthropic.

We owe its prevalence in our latitudes to Russian soldiers who returned from Germany after a 7-year war. Insects were localized in the warriors' backpacks and behind the cuffs of their sleeves. Since the battle took place in Prussia and Swabia, the Russian people called them Prussians, and the Serbian and Croatian people called them Buba Swaba.

No matter how strange it may seem, the Germans call red cockroaches hare. Our modern compatriots gave him a common name - Stasik.

Distinctive features of red longhorned beetles:

• the oval-shaped body reaches a length of 1.5 to 2 cm;
• color – from light red to dark brown;
• small head with large eyes, elongated mustache and strong jaw;
• number of paws – 3 pairs (front, middle, hind);
• wings – transparent inner and hard outer;
• life expectancy – from 5 to 6 months;
• number of moults – 6 times (once a month);
• type of movement – ​​horizontal and vertical;
• after one mating, the female is able to produce up to 300-400 eggs (this is about 8-10 times 30-40 eggs).

Red representatives of cockroaches develop in stages:

1. Gestation takes place in a special compartment called the uterus, which is located at the back end of the body and is called ooedema.
2. After birth, translucent individuals called nymphs appear.
3. Over time, shedding occurs and the color changes to red.

The growth period from hatching from the egg to sexual maturity is 60 days.

For a comfortable stay, red barbels need secluded places. The female lays eggs in them in order to completely hide them from prying eyes. The form of life is large families. Favorite places:

• in the trash can and garbage chute;
• under the sink, where humidity is always high;
• in the cracks of walls, floors;
• behind the baseboards;
• under and behind cabinets, wall shelves;
• inside kitchen furniture;
• in storage rooms;
• behind the refrigerator and inside household appliances;
• in the basement.

The red type of cockroaches is considered omnivorous, since individuals absorb all types of food products. But most of all they love sweets. If there is no food, they do not disdain paper, soap, plastic, and even dead relatives. They can live up to 1.5 months without food, and only 7 days without water.

Prussians are especially harmful to humans - they are distributors of numerous bacteria that are characteristic of diseases such as tuberculosis, helminthiasis, herpes, etc. Due to their small size, sauerkrauts easily penetrate the auricle and settle there.

Appearance of the red insect:

Black

It is assumed that this type of domestic cockroaches came to us from Asian countries (Turkey). Black individuals do not really like to live in apartments, preferring basements. This is due to the urgent need for moisture.

They are capable (unlike red ones) of staying in water for a long time, moving from floor to floor through sewer pipes, which is why they are called sewer pipes.

Only persecution or a sharp cold snap can force them to go up to the apartment. Most often they climb through the toilet, holes in the bathroom and sink, but they can also move by land.

Favorite places in private buildings are the cellar, wall voids, under the porch or floor.

Characteristics of black cockroaches:

• size in length from 2.5 to 3 cm;
• color - from dark brown to black;
• 2 pairs of wings – do not function;
• ability to run - only on a horizontal surface;
• number of lines – 8-10;
• due to the weight of its own oval-shaped body, it cannot develop fast speed;
• lays eggs randomly, without hiding or protecting future offspring.

The stages of development are identical to the previous species, life expectancy at sexual maturity is 6 months (females live 20 days longer). During this period, about 10 oothecae are laid, but only 15 eggs each.

Black cockroaches do not reproduce as quickly and prolifically as red cockroaches, making them easier to get rid of.

The peculiarity is that a long period of time passes from the appearance of eggs to sexual maturity - if it is warm, then it is 200 days, if it is cold - 700-800 days. Based on this, the species can live up to 2 years.

What to eat:

• organic waste;
• paper, even to the point of eating wallpaper from the walls;
• cardboard;
• rubber;
• plastic;
• indoor flowers;
• Leather Products;
• fabrics.

Black cockroaches have a strong, specific smell similar to mold.

Appearance of a black cockroach:

White

There is not a single species of white cockroach in nature, although people see them. In fact, these are ordinary red Prussians of a white or grayish hue, which are in the molting stage (the process lasts from 4 to 10 hours). As soon as the chitinous shell is shed, the color becomes the usual brown.

But there are other factors that influence the lightening of the coating of cockroaches:

• reaction to reagents containing chemical additives, most often insecticides;
• increased background radiation - radiation changes the cellular structure, disrupting all chemical processes in the pest’s body;
• consumption of chlorine-containing substances.

In these cases, the color is restored for a long time - until the harmful substances are completely eliminated from the body. The period depends on the amount of water consumed - the more water, the faster the purification from reagents occurs.

What does a “white” cockroach look like:

Furniture

Few people know about this species of cockroaches, as they are often confused with ordinary red cockroaches. The main difference is the presence of transverse stripes on the wings, which is why they are called brown stripes.

They were discovered for the first time in the middle of the last century. The main diet consists of paper, sawdust, paper glue, and book bindings. The place of residence is exclusively furniture. External and morphological characteristics are completely identical to the Prussian (size, structure, etc.).

Where are they most often found:

• bookstores;
• libraries;
• archives;
• offices;
• paper production workshops;
• waste paper collection points;
• apartments and private houses - especially if there are a lot of old book editions stored in the closets.

Features of reproduction and life:

• the number of oedemas in a female is 15-18;
• each clutch consists of 12-15 eggs;
• development period from larva to adult (full adulthood) - from 3 to 9 months;
• The lifespan of sexually mature individuals is from 3 to 10 months.

The main condition for normal life is the presence of water, so furniture bugs often migrate from the room to the kitchen and back during the day.

The peculiarity of the female is that the color has a reddish tint, the body is less elongated.

Appearance of the furniture pest:

Egyptian and Turkmen

At home, both of these species are found mainly in hot climates, therefore in Russia exclusively in the southern zone. Place of residence – house, apartment, cattle pen, barns.

Differences between them:

Diet for both types:

• plants – dry and fresh;
• plant residues;
• excrement.

Egyptian and Turkmen cockroaches are often bred to feed small rodents.

What does Egyptian look like:

Appearance of Turkmen:

American

It is not considered domestic because it loves to live in natural conditions, but if one day it gets into a house or apartment, it will settle there forever - it instantly adapts to new conditions. This is why the American cockroach is found in our homes and is perceived as a domestic species.

Its features:

• body length – 4-5 cm;
• color – reddish-red, but has a yellow outline along the front back;
• thanks to the well-developed muscles of the paws and wings, it can fly and jump high;
• on the territory of a private house (on the street) it feeds on flowers and other plants, fallen leaves, and trees;
• in the house/apartment eats paper, soap, leather goods, food, especially sweets.

In private houses and apartment high-rises, an American lives in a cellar, basement, storm drain, attic, mainly in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen, where there is always access to water.

Lifespan:

• in the stage from egg to adult – 6 months;
• from puberty to natural death – 11-12 months;
• total life expectancy is 17-18 months.

American cockroaches are capable of reproducing by parthenogenesis, that is, asexually (without the participation of a male). Only this species of domestic barbel takes care of the offspring in the first days.

Features of fertility:

• Americans spread very quickly, since only 25-30 hours pass from the moment of fertilization to the release of eggs (in other species it takes several weeks);
• reproduction occurs mainly in the summer (if it is a hot climate, then constantly);
• in 2-3 months, up to 13-17 oedemas can form, each of which contains up to 20 eggs.

This type of cockroach is very aggressive and mobile, therefore, upon contact with a person, it gives a painful bite, while simultaneously releasing enzymes that cause a severe allergic reaction.

American appearance:

Flying cockroaches, names and photos

Despite having wings, not all cockroaches can fly. And even representatives of flying species do not know how to glide in the air, but only make small and short flights. Flying cockroaches:

Red cockroach (Blattella germanica)

It has a brown-red color and a body length of 1-1.6 cm.

Lapland cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus)

A species that lives in Europe and the USA. Males are 1.3-1.4 cm long, females are 9-10 mm long. Individuals are colored gray-yellow and brown-yellow.

Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai)

It lives in the tropics and subtropics of hot Asia, as well as in the southern states of the USA.

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

It is similar to the Prussian, but differs in longer length - from 35 to 50 mm.

Cockroaches Megaloblatta longipennis and Megaloblatta blaberoides

They live in the countries of Central and South America. The length of the insects reaches 9 cm, width - 4.5 cm. The wingspan is 18-20 cm.

Cockroach Blaberus giganteus

A species native to South and Central America. Males grow up to 6.5-7 cm, females - up to 7-8.5 cm.

What is the largest insect?

Chan's megastick insect or Phobaeticus chani is the longest and largest insect in the world . The body length of the largest specimen was 35.7 cm, and the length of the insect with elongated limbs was 56.7 cm. Chan's Megastick lives in Malaysia. The species is named after the naturalist Chan Chiul-yeong, who first studied and classified this species in 2008. Until now, this species of large insects has been little studied, and nothing is known about their lifestyle.

Features of keeping domestic giants

Under natural conditions, Madagascar cockroaches live in a humid tropical climate. Not being able to fly, they are constantly on the plant litter and hide under leaves or remnants of bark from possible enemies. Considering how the largest cockroaches in the world live, it is worth creating an insectarium microclimate. Insects will feel good in any sufficiently large aquarium, but the following conditions should be observed.

1. It is necessary to isolate the cockroach from the possibility of getting out. It is worth covering the aquarium ¾ with glass and about ¼ with a fine mesh. This will leave room for ventilation and make it possible to feed your pets.
2. The bottom is covered with a mixture of peat, sand and coconut substrate. You can use pieces of birch bark for shelter. Be sure to place several large branches so that your pets can feel at home.
3. The substrate is always kept moist. To do this, it is convenient to use a spray bottle with a fine cloud.
4. Using an infrared emitter for terrariums, the temperature is maintained at 25-30 °C.
5. You can purchase any electronic device as a humidifier or use incubator baths. Humidity is kept at 60-70%.
6. It is useful to use a fan to evenly distribute moist air throughout the entire volume and regulate it.

Cockroaches are unpretentious guests; if normal conditions are created, then new pets can be observed very quickly.

Gromphadorina portentosa Cockroaches do not excite anyone with their appearance, except perhaps disgust, but, nevertheless, there are types of cockroaches that are kept as pets. One of these is the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). Madagascar cockroaches are the largest cockroaches in the world. They can also be seen in the wild if you take ecotourism to Madagascar. Madagascar cockroach The largest cockroaches in the world reach up to 9-10 cm in length. This is the maximum length. On average, the body of males reaches a length of 5.5 cm, and that of females - 6 cm. Madagascar cockroaches do not have wings, their body color is yellow-brown. In the wild, the lifespan of these insects is no more than 2 years, and at home – 5 years. They feed on fruits, leaves of trees and shrubs. Cockroaches live both on branches and in leaf litter on the ground. Madagascar cockroaches In addition to their large size, Madagascar cockroaches have another feature - they hiss loudly when they sense danger. In captivity, cockroaches demonstrate their ability to hiss when they are touched with a finger. Thanks to their slippery shell and ability to scare away with hissing, cockroaches manage to escape from insectivorous animals and birds, but not always. The same hissing is accompanied by the efforts of males to attract females during the mating season. These insects engage in fights for females. Males push each other hard and thereby cause significant damage. The fight ends when one of the fighters lies on his back with his paws up. This means he is defeated.

female Madagascar cockroachMadagascar hissing cockroaches are active at night. During the day they hide in the bark, in cracks or under leaves. Insects love warmth, and temperatures below 25 degrees are poorly tolerated by them. These representatives of the fauna reproduce by gestating eggs in the ooteca. This is the name of a special section on the abdomen, located at the very tip. Gestation lasts about three months, after which small white cockroaches hatch. Hardening and browning of the skin of newborn cockroaches occurs within the first few hours after birth. At one time, one female hatches 20–40 babies. The growth of a cockroach takes a long time - about six months. During this time, molting occurs six times. When a cockroach becomes an adult, molting no longer occurs.

Based on materials:

eco-turizm.net

Where do they live?

The habitat of large black cockroaches is the island of Madagascar. Insects are active at night, and during the day they hide under anything that can serve as protection from the scorching sun - old stumps, large stones, leaves.

A smooth shell protects black cockroaches from predators: if it presses against the bark of a tree, a stone, or another surface, it is very difficult to grab it. A sharp hissing sound protects cockroaches from insectivorous insects.

In addition to Madagascar, there are 3 more types of hissing cockroaches:

1. Tigers. They are called so because their chitinous cover has a characteristic color - the chest is black, and the sides are spotted with bright orange.

1. Broad-horned. Males have a growth on the front back. The body is terracotta or dark brown in color, and the front back is black. Among mute mutes, broad-horned ones are the largest. The size of an adult female can exceed 8-9 cm, and a male 7-8 cm.
2. Gromphadorhina picea. Cockroaches of this species are also found in Madagascar, but there are very few of them and there is no information about insects in official sources.

In nature, black Madagascar cockroaches live for about 2 years. At home, where good care is provided and all conditions are available, insects can live 2 or even 3 times longer.

During the period of maturation (about 6 months), the larva can molt up to 7 times. After shedding its chitinous shell, its body remains soft for 4-5 hours. All this time she is defenseless and requires careful treatment.

American cockroach

The size of the American cockroach can reach four centimeters. They feed on almost everything and are highly fertile. The considerable growth rate and ability to survive make us talk about this representative of the cockroaches seriously.

American cockroaches can move everywhere, even on the ceiling. When in danger, this insect exudes a stinking liquid that causes an instant allergy in the enemy. It can be considered one of the longest-livers among the entire cockroach family. If you find this creature in your home, immediately contact the appropriate service to remove them. An American cockroach can even attack a pet in a fight for food! Agree, such creatures are very unpleasant neighbors.

We have listed the most famous types of cockroaches. Next, let's talk about those that can cause surprise and even amazement when meeting.

Various facts and myths about cockroaches

Cockroaches - why are they dangerous?

Cockroaches are not only unpleasant in appearance, but also carry many dangers. The odor from the glands secreted by the cockroach is unpleasant and very harmful to many osmatics. Moreover, the fumes from these glands can cause various allergies.

Types of cockroaches photo

In addition, cockroaches are carriers of many bacteria. Therefore, when they eat food, for example, left on the table, they contaminate this food.

When there is a shortage of food, cockroaches are able to feed on plants, as well as paper and skin. Therefore, an abundance of cockroaches will not benefit the books and plants in the house.

Cockroaches - what do they eat?

Cockroaches are omnivorous insects. The most convenient food for them is leftover food. Cockroaches are also very attracted to sweets. But, in the absence of food abundance, cockroaches look for food among the garbage, where they are able to feed on rotting food and other waste. If there are no food remains in the garbage, cockroaches can feed on plants, as well as paper and even skin.

Cockroaches - how do they reproduce?

Cockroaches reproduce sexually. But sometimes, female cockroaches are capable of pathogenesis, when a normal individual grows from unfertilized eggs, often a male.

small cockroaches photo

Thus, the sex ratio of cockroaches is regulated. After the female is fertilized, she bears the so-called ootheca, i.e. a special capsule containing eggs. She deposits it in a place inaccessible to other insects.

Some species of cockroaches, for example, Madagascar cockroaches, are viviparous.

Do cockroaches fly?

All types of cockroaches have wings, but few cockroaches can fly. In particular, red and black cockroaches are flying. These cockroaches fly during the breeding season. Also, cockroaches fly towards light sources.

Do cockroaches bite?

Because Cockroaches are omnivorous insects - they are able to feed on any food of animal origin. During sleep, when a person is inactive, a cockroach is quite capable of trying to bite a person.

Cockroaches live without a head

Cockroaches are very hardy insects. This fact has been experimentally proven - a cockroach lives without a head for several weeks, after which it dies of hunger.

Cockroaches eat bedbugs

There is a misconception that cockroaches eat bedbugs, but this is not true. Cockroaches are omnivores, and bedbugs are blood-sucking, so under normal conditions they do not compete for food. But, if cockroaches do not have any food, they can also eat bedbugs.

Life cycle of a cockroach

The American cockroach has three life stages: egg, several larval instars, and adult. The life cycle from egg to adult averages about 600 days, and the adult life span can be an additional 400 days.

Nymphs emerge from the egg in about six to eight weeks and mature in about six to twelve months.

Adults can live up to one year, and an adult female will give birth to an average of 150 children in her lifetime. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity affect the development time of the American cockroach. Outdoors, the female prefers moist, hidden places.

Eggs: Female American cockroaches lay their eggs about a week after mating. At the peak of her reproductive period, she may lay down two capsules per week. Females produce on average one ootheca per month for ten months. The female deposits a capsule near a food source, sometimes sticking it to the surface using a special secretion from her mouth. The deposited ootheca contains water sufficient for the development of eggs. When stored, the shell of the egg turns brown or black after a day or two. It is about 8 mm long and 5 mm high.

Nymph: The nymph stage begins when the egg hatches and ends with the emergence of the adult cockroach. The number of molts of the American cockroach varies from six to 14. The first instar American cockroach turns white immediately after hatching, then turns grayish-brown. After molting, subsequent cockroach nymphs are white and then reddish-brown, with the posterior edges of the thoracic and abdominal segments being darker in color. The wings are absent during the nymphal stages, and the wing flaps become visible in the third or fourth instar. Complete development from egg to adult takes about 600 days. Nymphs, like adults, actively obtain food and water.

Adult: The adult American cockroach is reddish-brown in color with a pale brown or yellow stripe along the edge of the pronotum. Males are longer than females because their wings extend 4–8 mm beyond the tip of the abdomen. Males and females have a pair of slender, articulated paired appendages at the tip of their abdomen. Male cockroaches have cerci with 18 to 19 segments, while females have 13 to 14 segments. Male American cockroaches have a pair of palps between the cerci, but females do not.

The heaviest beetle in the world

The Goliath beetle is the heaviest beetle in the world. The body length of males is 11 cm, and that of females is 8 cm. The body weight of this beetle reaches 50 g, and some sources describe individuals weighing 100 g. The color of the beetles is varied, mostly black with a white pattern, but some have brownish tints.

These beetles live in Southeast and Central Africa. Their interesting feature is that the color variation also changes depending on the habitat. Darker color variants of goliath beetles are found in Central Africa. In the South and West of Africa, on the contrary, lighter individuals are found.

These heaviest beetles in the world have wings and spend a lot of time in flight. They descend to the ground quite rarely, only in search of food, and females also lay eggs in the ground. The lifespan of beetles is about 6 months. They feed on overripe fruits and leaked tree sap. They are active during the daytime.

Reproduction of different species

Knowing the basic life cycle of cockroaches will help prevent their appearance and make it easier to eliminate unwanted guests. One female is capable of giving birth to 40 young individuals. Their number depends on the number of larvae in the egg carried by the female. Outwardly, such an egg looks more like a bag. All types of cockroaches breed in the apartment all year round.

During her life, the female lays eggs up to 4 times. Detecting such masonry is problematic. Another feature of the life activity of these creatures is their ability to leave marks at sources of food and water for their relatives.

But getting rid of any type of cockroaches is difficult. Even expensive drugs are sometimes unable to cope with this task. Exterminators advise taking preventative measures to prevent these creatures from appearing in your home, because destroying them will be quite problematic.

How do they reproduce?

Just like any domestic cockroaches, the inhabitants of Australia reproduce sexually. A special role here is played by the ootheca, where the female lays her eggs after fertilization. Reproduction does not occur too often, and in one year from 20 to 40 nymphs are born. Based on the fact that the lifespan of an adult can reach up to 10 years, their full development ends only after 3-4 years. During this time, insects acquire reproductive organs, noticeably increase in size and molt several times, shedding the old chitinous cover.

In general, this species is characterized by an incomplete type of transformation. Those. The larvae are born not similar to their parents, and only after each molt do they acquire more and more similar external characteristics. Female rhinoceros cockroaches spend quite a long time with their offspring. Up to 9 months they teach them basic skills, and in the evenings they bring fallen leaves for dinner.

Reproduction

Large Madagascar cockroaches are viviparous species. The female carries the ootheca in the genital bursa of the abdomen. To gain the attention of a partner, males engage in battles. In the heat of battle, opponents' paws or antennae are bitten off. Males push the opponent with cone-shaped outgrowths. The defeated contender falls on his back and gives up the female to the winner.

After fertilization, embryo maturation occurs in the insect's body. A special capsule is formed in the abdomen - the ootheca, in which the eggs are located. Periodically, the female pushes it outside for ventilation. Pregnancy lasts up to two months, its duration depends on temperature - when it gets colder, the appearance of offspring is delayed. 20-50 small larvae emerge from the abdomen of the cockroach. They are white in color, the body is soft, without a shell. During the day, the larvae darken and become covered with a chitinous layer. During the first days, the female stays close to the offspring. Protecting children, she hisses especially sharply and loudly.

Description of the Prussians and the structure of their body

Red cockroaches, typical representatives of a large suborder of cockroaches. Their appearance, behavioral characteristics and biology are in many ways similar to those of most of their relatives, even those whom other enthusiasts proudly and enthusiastically keep at home and carefully look after.

Due to its wide distribution, this insect has many different names. Even if you don’t remember all the popular nicknames, there are more than 20 of his names commonly used in different countries.

Bearing the name Prusak in Russia, the red cockroach immediately makes it clear that it is somehow connected with Germany. That’s right, the main invasion of cockroaches in Russia coincided with the Napoleonic Wars, and it was believed that it was from Prussia that these insects entered Russia.

There, in Germany, cockroaches are called Russian, suggesting the opposite direction of the invasion.

The structure of the red cockroach as a whole is typical for the entire suborder of cockroaches. The photo shows the main parts of the insect's body, the cephalothorax, abdomen, head, of which, when viewed from above, only the head remains open, everything else is completely covered by the wings:

This is interesting

Red cockroaches cannot fly, but when falling from a height, they actively flap their wings, reducing the speed of their fall and ensuring a normal landing. Red cockroaches are also very resistant to radiation, being the main candidates for survival on the planet in the event of a nuclear war.

A very important organ of the cockroach is the antennae, which are sensitive to odors and allow the insect to communicate with other individuals. The red-haired and mustachioed cockroach constantly cleans this wealth, and with injury and the loss of one antennae, it loses part of the information about the surrounding world.

Female cockroaches differ from males in having a slightly denser build and a short abdomen. In general, they seem somewhat larger and more massive:

This is interesting

The closest relatives of cockroaches, mantises and termites, have a lot in common in body structure with ordinary kitchen guests. Moreover, when meeting, the mantis will not miss the opportunity to feast on its neighbor on the systematic ladder.

The size of the red cockroach is small, the body length of an adult insect reaches only 1-1.5 cm. Compared to most of its relatives, the red cockroach is considered a small species.

A characteristic feature of the Prussian body structure is the cerci, small tail-like projections at the end of the body. This is a sign of relative primitiveness, since cerci are found mainly in very ancient insects.

See also our experiments on cockroaches:

We catch cockroaches and test various means on them - see the results...,

On a note

Prussians should not be confused with maggots. Large red cockroaches, occasionally brought to our ports with bananas from tropical countries, have even managed to multiply and form stable populations in some southern cities, but they belong to a completely different species. At the same time, red and long cockroaches need approximately the same conditions and therefore are often found together. In general, brown color is the most common in the entire suborder of cockroaches, and a red cockroach can belong to almost any species.