Species identification is helpful in to determine the severity of an infestation. A large nymph population may indicate an infestation, or a single hatching.
Harborage
The habitats favored by adult and baby roaches are warm, moist places in darkness throughout the day. Once indoors, the pests usually shelter in a bathroom or kitchen because of the need for moisture. These locations also offer easy access for the roach, as plumbing enters these rooms through floors or walls.
Hot and Cold
Refrigeration works by removing heat, and that heat has to go somewhere. Heat is dispelled behind and under the appliance. Water produced by the self-defrost process gathers there as well. These warm, moist areas draw nymphs, even though they can also survive the interior refrigerator temperatures. Female roaches will sometimes place egg sacs in the accordion-like folds of the refrigerator door gasket. Hatch-outs expose numerous nymphs, which immediately seek shelter nearby.
Inside Out
Nymphs find their way into the interior of the refrigerator to forage for food. No roach would really care to "live" in the interior section of your refrigerator because of the human activity and the climate. Adult roaches take cover when the light comes on. Nymphs don't react to such distractions, and move slowly. That is why nymphs may appear to be living in the interior of the refrigerator when, in fact, they reside in other areas in the appliance.
Banish Your Enemy
Cleanliness is a great deterrent on its own, but if you are dealing with more than an occasional visit, you may need to call in some help. For serious infestations, a single treatment by a certified, insured exterminator will suffice, provided you take measures to prevent the conditions that led to the initial infestation.
The Drip Cap
- Entomologists and pest control services refer to baby roaches as nymphs.
- Nymphs are dark in color and range in size from the head of a pin to a whole peppercorn.
- Once indoors, the pests usually shelter in a bathroom or kitchen because of the need for moisture.
- Heat is dispelled behind and under the appliance.
- Nymphs don't react to such distractions, and move slowly.