Announcing The Winner. . .

Following is the winner of the unannounced First Annual Ecuadorian Halloween Creepiest Story Ever. Doug Witt, a close friend of Dan's, (which in itself should tell you a lot about Doug) submitted the only entry in the unannounced contest, and is, therefore, the winner. Doug's ad libs are in italics. CAUTION: IF YOU HAVE A QUEASY STOMACH, YOU MAY WISH TO SKIP READING THIS ENTRY. I did. Thanks, Doug. Do you need a hobby?

German cockroaches are the most common insect found in the Unites States. (Not sure about Ecuadorian cockroaches)

These are the most prevalent of species dwelling with humans, found commonly in homes, apartments, supermarkets, food processing plants, and restaurants. Ships, especially cruise ships can be heavily infested.

They are seldom found outside and prefer corners and cracks where their feet and back touch the edges.

This is the most common cockroach and adults measure from 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length.

They are light brown with two dark stripes running lengthwise down the upper back.

German cockroaches have "ears" on their tails known as caudel cerci. These ears are directly connected to their feet, bypassing their brains. When they "hear" footsteps (vibrations) they are running before they even think about it.

They are related to termites.

German cockroaches are nocturnal in nature and like to congregate together in their harborage areas.

They can be found in warm humid areas, such as kitchens, and dish washing areas. as well as bathrooms.

They can be introduced via cardboard boxes, paper bags, second hand appliances, TVs and microwaves. They are often transported by man.

REPRODUCTIVE ABILITIES

A female German cockroach needs to mate only one time to produce seven egg cases.

Egg capsules contain 18-50 nymphs.

The German cockroach can grow from egg to adult in about 55 to 68 days, but have been observed to grow from egg to adult in as little as 36 days.

The egg requires 14 days, and seven nymphal instars require 60 days.

The German cockroach produces more eggs per capsule than any other pest cockroach species.

Females carry their egg capsules until they are ready to hatch.

The nymphs are about 1/8 inch long when they hatch and are uniformly dark in color.

FEEDING HABITS

The German cockroach will feed on almost anything with nutritious value including wood, soap, dog food, grease, paste, glue, and toothpaste.

They can survive for 1 year on a bar of soap.

The female will stop feeding when she is ready to hatch her young.

They live within 12 feet of food source.

They will climb to the top of their environment if they sense chemical treatment.

HEALTH RISKS

They are known to carry over 20 diseases and are most commonly implicated as carriers of salmonella.

There is also compelling evidence to implicate cockroaches as vectors of infectious hepatitis.

Also some individuals have been found to have allergic reactions to roaches including nausea, vertigo, burning sensations, and in two cases anaphylactic shock.

TREATMENT

Sanitation is the cornerstone to effective long lasting control of German cockroaches.

This requires cooperation of the people living in the home as well as a complete interior treatment.

Conditions conducive to roach infestations need to be removed, and often items in pantries and cupboards need to be removed to allow access to the harborage for the technician.

For those of you who actually read to the end of this post, you can now go take a shower to wash off the creepiness.