Can turks infest my house?

[INCA]

can they?

 

[fresnowitte]

I have found none in my house an I have 2 enclosure one of which is actually in my kitchen. It will be a year sense I first ordered Turks in March. But I do use tall glass tanks wrapped in paper bags to house mine in.
I have not had the need to use vaseline or the product they sell to keep them from climbing out.
They don't climb.

 

[INCA]

well cuz i heard the babies can climb smooth surfaces

 

[fresnowitte]

Not unless it is plastic and has scratches or if you use a tank that has silicone in the corners all the way to the top. But in glass they do not climb if there is no silicone.
If they did I would have by now seen some signs of them.
An I would have moved. :lol:

 

[LittleRob]

http://www.clarkpest.com/ They could hook you up if they get loose.

 

[brunoboy]

http://www.clarkpest.com/ They could hook you up if they get loose.

lol :lol:


I personally think any roach has the potential to infest----maybe not so much in cooler climates----but still, they could survive. Lots of warm, dark places for any roach to live in housing and they can survive on anything. really.

BUT if you are consistent and constantly aware of your care for them ----it's possible to keep them from escaping.

 

[fresnowitte]

Plus I think keeping them well feed, hydrated, warm, and happy they don't really have a need to escape.
Unless they can foresee the future. :lol:

 

[LJean]

I don't like to even read posts like this, LOL blech!

 

[Elaina]

what are turks?

 

[fresnowitte]

Fast breeding, fast moving, non climbing roaches.
But have very good nutritional value.
Check out this chart;
http://www.feedersinc.com/insect-comparison/
More about them with pic.
http://www.feedersinc.com/archives/category/feeders/roaches/turkistan-roaches-blatta-lateralis/

 

[kittysmom]

it would depend on your location if you lived up north them i would say no if you live down south i think any thing would be able to. by the way arnet turks found in tx anyway

 

[patrickb]

Turks are classified as a pest species in a few states. I think Arizona, southern California, New Mexico and Texas.

Some things to note. As Barbara mentioned, they just don't escape nor are they really inclined to try and escape. Aside from user error (ie: you knock the bin over on its side) they really aren't going to get loose. Turks are much like wood roaches and they prefer being outdoors (probably because of the humidity) and will usually head back outside if they should get loose. They are also very dependent on humidity and temps to breed and grow. Only a few places in a home could provide both of those (compressor and drain pans on the fridge, a leaky bathroom sink) and that means they are limited to where and how they breed. Infestation, no probably not. Can they survive and possibly have babies once or twice, possible. In reality, conditions are not right in the home for them to do this, much less truely infest.

The room I keep my Turks in ranges from 82-92 degrees during the summer months. During this time of the year it is 68-82 degrees with the average around 78 or so. I have noticed a HUGE drop in production during these colder months now and see very few females carrying an ooth and a lot less hatchling nymphs. Below a certain temp, they just seem to cut off the breeding. I think in an average home they may do ok during the summer, but come winter they would be wiped out.

I live in an old home and always have a problem with American Cockroaches coming from the outdoors during this time of the year. I can't stand them and am very skeptical of Turks because of this. With all that being said I keep em and have no problems doing that. I think they could infest given the right conditions, but even my old beat down home wouldn't suffice for them. Lack of food and moisture coupled with the lower average temps, they wouldn't survive through the winter.

 

[fresnowitte]

Thank-you for that post Patrick that was very well said. :wink: