When Is Cockroach Season in Arizona?

Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in the world. There are around 4500 species of a cockroach, but the ones that are associated with humans are only 30. They are commonly regarded as dirty pests and can live in the coldest of temperatures, in the Arctic in the hottest of climates, and a desert.

In this article, we’ll discover when is cockroach season in Arizona and what are the most common species found in the state. We’ll also discuss the distinguishing features of a cockroach, their desired habitat around the world, and when and how these cockroaches dominate and infest a house. 

Signs to Know There is an Infestation: When Are Cockroaches Prevalent in Arizona?

If you see the following signs, it is when they have infested your home.

• Smell: You will notice an oily odor around the house. 
• Diurnal sightings: A cockroach is a nocturnal animal. However, if you see them coming out during the day, there is a high chance that they have bred enough to come out and hunt for food, even during the day. Moreover, this may be a sign of trouble as cockroaches coming out during the day may indicate a heavy infestation. 
• Droppings: Cockroach droppings appear as coffee or pepper-shaped particles. They may become larger over time, but it is best to keep an eye on them in the early days to avoid a bigger nuisance.  
• Spotting dead ones: If you see dead cockroaches, that is also a sign of a heavy infestation. 

There are multiple ways to get rid of a cockroach infestation. First, you can take matters into your own hands and employ a few methods. On the other hand, you can call a professional team who are experts in these services and ask them to terminate the infestation at your house. 

There is no specific cockroach season in Arizona. Most often, they are present throughout the year and can pop up in your house at any time.

How to Best Identify a Cockroach?

Cockroaches are one of the most resilient insects in the world. They have existed for hundreds of years and may continue to live for a hundred more because of their adaptability to the environment. Here are a few distinguishing characteristics of a cockroach. 

Cockroaches’ Size

Adult cockroaches vary in size depending on the species, typically ranging from 1 to 5 centimeters in length. Their coloration spans from black to reddish-brown, with different species exhibiting different shades.

Some species are rather small, however, this is why they may be harder to find unless you are out in the middle of the night for a snack in the kitchen, where they might get out in search of food. They can hide in small cracks and holes.

Cockroaches’ Aspect

They have a flattened body which helps them creep into holes and crevices. It is divided into two body parts, a thorax, and an abdomen. They are separated based on segments that cover the whole body. 

On top of its body, a layer of an exoskeleton is present, which is responsible for protecting the animal from harm. It also helps in providing security to its organs. An interesting thing about this exoskeleton is that there is a thin layer of wax present on top of it that helps prevent water from affecting the body. This is how cockroaches can survive even underwater. 

They have six pairs of legs and usually a long pair of antennae. The legs are covered with small spine-like structures that make them sharp. These spines are responsible for helping them move across difficult paths, while the legs allow them to run quite fast. Even the baby cockroaches match the speed of that of an adult. On average, a cockroach can run up to 3 miles an hour. 

They have two pairs of wings. One of them protects the inner pair of wings, which helps in the actual flight of the animal. The wings are sometimes used by the cockroach, while some of them tend to remain on the ground. 

Cockroach’s Preferred Habitat

Cockroaches are present all over the world in large numbers. Of the 4,500 species of cockroaches, there are 30 to 35 that are associated with humans and mainly considered pests. Almost every continent breeds cockroaches. Researchers believe that there are around 10 billion cockroaches in the world. The country with the largest number of cockroaches is China which may carry about 6 billion cockroaches in a year. 

A cockroach is a resilient animal. They can even withstand extremely low temperatures in the Arctic, even as low as -122°C. Being highly adaptable, you will find them across the seven continents developing certain characteristics to live in that certain climate. 

Some of the cockroaches live in leafy terrains, vegetation, wood that has become rotten with holes and crevices, stump holes, cavities that are present under the bark, under piles of logs, and even in dirt and debris. If there is a present source of water, they can manage to survive even in arid regions.

In contrast to these types of cockroaches, others have developed mechanisms to survive near water. They are mostly aquatic and can dive to get near a food source. They are also found in forests, where they hide during the day from other predators and come out at night to hunt and eat. 

However, most cockroaches prefer a tropical climate. This is why they infest homes pretty easily and can remain in buildings for years if left unattended. 

Cockroach’s Behavior

Cockroaches are capable of fast breeding. A single female cockroach can produce around 30,000 cockroach babies in just a single year. They produce eggs that transform into nymphs. These nymphs go through 6 or 7 instars and come out as mature adults within four months. 

Their behavior is quite social. They release pheromones which help the cockroaches to find each other and group. Their purpose of grouping is to hunt in search of food, find a place to hide, and even identify a species that is different from one cockroach to another. 

Many researchers say cockroaches tend to group because they make collective decisions. For example, they may send out signals for a specific group to remain seated where they are or call for more action when there is a food source nearby. 

The cockroaches are nocturnal. They come out at night, hunting and searching for food sources in groups. However, you might see some of them during the day if they wish to get a hunt that early. 

Types of Cockroaches in Arizona

There may be many cockroaches in the world, but how many are in Arizona? Unfortunately, Arizona is home to many cockroaches. It is the most infested part of the United States, specifically Phoenix. 

In the United States, there are about 80 to 90 different species of cockroach. Out of this number, 12 of them alone are present in Arizona. The climate of Arizona varies from region to region. Some parts of it have a humid climate, while there are other parts that have a changing climate that does not carry a lot of cockroach species. Let’s take a look at the most common species.

1. German Cockroach

German cockroaches mostly reside in the bathrooms and kitchens of most houses. You can identify them with the bands behind their heads, two black stripes. They are the most common type found in the state and measure only about half an inch. 

Both the males and females are distinguishable based on their sizes; the females are longer than the males. However, they both do not carry any wings, which is why you will mostly find them on the ground. They can infect a house quite easily because of their heavy breeding capabilities. On top of that, they tend to trigger allergies and cause diseases like Salmonella. This and their hefty infestation make them a danger to the human population. 

2. American Cockroach

American cockroaches have the largest body among cockroaches. They can grow up to 3 inches long. Females have bigger bodies than that of males. You can identify them based on the yellow bands behind their heads. As for the color, the body of these cockroaches may have a reddish-brown shade. 

These are also quite common in the state but may not have a liking towards infestation. This is because they are mainly found in damp surfaces like a gutter or a sewerage line. However, in a dry climate, they may come outdoors and are found exclusively on the ground.

These cockroaches are also capable of flying as they carry wings. Rarely would you find them flying. The interesting thing about these cockroaches is that they are not only common in Arizona, but they are abundantly present all over the world.

3. Brown-banded Cockroach

Brown-banded cockroaches are one of the smallest cockroaches in the state, measuring up to half an inch. You can identify them based on the light brown bands on its back. However, only males have wings. The females do have wings, but they are rudimentary and cannot help them in a continuous flight.  

They do prefer warmer climates which makes their infestation in homes a given. However, they are not usually found in homes as much as they infest restaurants and such sites. 

4. Turkestan Cockroach

These cockroaches measure up to an inch and are mostly dark brown to black in shade. They do not just have long wings but were once considered exotic animals. They are not native to the state and come from the lands of Africa. However, you can find them in Arizona because they have developed the mechanism to stay in the region.

They do not generally have a habit of infestation. Being exotic in their time, they were usually kept as pets by many enthusiasts. However, due to improper management, people have not been able to keep them in a secure place, causing an unwanted infestation. This is why they have become quite common around the state, such that they may easily infest homes, restaurants, and even garages. They carry wings but do not engage in flight so often.   

5. Oriental Cockroach

Oriental cockroaches also have a dark brown to blackish body but a glossy exterior. They can cause quite trouble in homes because they easily infest due to their hefty breeding. Plus, they can live up to 2 years if left untreated. 

They often come out in damp places, which is why they are commonly found in basements and sewers.

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