Cockroaches have been around for 400 million years and they will probably outlive us all. We have four main types here in New Mexico and there are approx. 4,000 living species of cockroaches in the world.
The American Cockroach is actually an immigrant. It was introduced via ships in the 1600’s. You frequently hear them called “Waterbug” or “Palmettobug”, but a roach by any other name is a still a Cockroach. They do infest residences, but they are more common in large commercial buildings such as restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, food processing plants, and hospitals. They do enjoy summer evenings outside, are especially fond of sewers and drains. Comprehensive regular pest control will keep them at bay.
The German Cockroach is the most common type of cockroach. They are quite prolific and are know to be the cause of outbreaks of illness. They are found worldwide. They prefer warm and humid places. There favorite rooms in your home would be the kitchen first and then the bathrooms. They frequently hitchhike into to your home or business via paper products or paper packaging. Glue is a delicacy to them. A regular pest control program is important to keep them away.
The Oriental Cockroach is actually thought to be of North African origin and is now found worldwide. The enjoy the great outdoors and like to nest under debris, landscaping stones and porches. They can withstand freezing temperature quite well. They enter your home through gaps under your doors and voids around pipes. They like crawl spaces, basements, and cellars. Regular pest control procedures can keep them out of your home.
The Turkestan Cockroach hitchhiked into the United States with the household goods of military personnel when they returned from the Middle East. The Turkestan cockroach is a desert species which also inhabits semi-desert locations which makes them right at home here in New Mexico. They are found indoors and outside and are capable of carrying bacteria which cause dysentery.