The ultimate cockroach website for those who want to identify their cockroaches!

http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th2.htm

Not for the squeamish!

States there that though the Common or Oriental cockroach (the most common large black b*****s one sees around) can't fly even though the males do have wings - the females only have vestigial wing stumps. The next most common, the German cockroach, is capable of flying but rarely does and some experts describe them as being reluctant to fly and others reckon that they can really only glide if they fall from a height but that the reason they are reluctant to fly is that they can't take-off from a standing start.

SM

I am pretty sure cockroaches can fly

Yes, some species are very capable fliers and the Canary Islands are inhabited by more than 2 species of roaches. IE:Common & German.

The American cockroach is a big light brown monster and I've definitely seen an American roach in Tenerife, it was crawling on the floor during the daytime outside the toilets in the Parque Santiago shopping mall, they are at their worst during September and if you ask any of the locals in the Canary Islands, they will tell you that they fly in through open windows.

The name American does not mean it's exclusively found in America, the species is thought to originate from Africa and was taken to America on cargo ships and it was finally identified in America hence given the name, but today it can be found all around the world in countries with a tropical climate as they need the high temperatures to survive and the Canary Islands are only a hop, skip and a jump away from Africa.

The Asian roach is virtually identical to the German roach and also is a good flier, it is thought that it interbreeds with the German variety, but unlike the German roach, the Asian variety are attracted to light and will fly towards the light
The German cockroach is called the "Russian roach" by the Germans and experts agree this pest probably originated from Asia, not Europe.

I had a very bad experience a few years ago with a roach, so bad that I developed a phobia about them and paid for an early flight home from Tenerife and since then, I have read an awful lot of data about them to try and overcome my fear.
I've seen a cockroach since, in the street, that's fine, just not on me please.!.."¦we all have our little fears and pet hates.

Sanjiiiiiiiiiiii

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_cockroach
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefMedia.aspx?refid=461516326
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_cockroach

you see them beacuase its close to africa x

I am terrified of the little blighters! Seen them both times in Tenerife, we had one in our apartment last year in Los Cristianos (only 1 though in the whole week, but 1 was enough!) Just have to accept if you go to the warmer climates that these little pests will be around - but usually find that if have cockroaches don't tend to have mosquitos.

I hate them too, we saw a few last March and even had one in the shower and it took ages for my Husband to kill it, I then had him searching the room for the next hour before I could go to sleep and yes they do fly! shudder lol
The cockroaches and timeshare touts should be stamped on.
Dawn

^^ unless they are female, then it would be very silly to stamp on them, as they carry their eggs under their wings, and unless you destroy each one you will spread them wherever you go !!!!!!!!!

An old wifes tale

lol...... that maybe so.......... but i'm sure it wasn't an old wife that told me that

Very true. Never stamp on a cockroach as the eggs can remain on your shoe and could hatch at a later date . Just think they could be on your clothes if you pack shoes in a case.

Toonman

Hi

I have been abroad several times and always avoided the Canary Islands because I am petrified of Cockroaches. I wish I was brave enough to go. I think as I have read reviews where people have said they had about 15 of them crawling around in their apartments. I have been to greece,spain,portugal and the USA and not seen one.

How common are they really in Tenerife and are they as common as people say?

Thanks
Angie

woo they are common and they are the size of rats :

have been to tenerife about 7 times and can honestly say have only ever seen about 3 and they are more scared of you than you are of them get booked up its loverly in the canary islands

I know but when you are scared of that sort of thing etc.

Maybe I will be brave and book up. What area did you stay in? can you recommend a good hotel?

Cheers
Angie

We have been to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, both in January, and didn't see any cockroaches. Perhaps it depends on the time of year.

luci

Family have been going for last 26 years, probably 20 times in last 4 or 5 years,can't recall seeing any in apartments or hotel, you may see odd one when you go out in the evening but nothing compared to 10,15 years ago. Book yourself a holiday, go and enjoy

I've been to Spain, Canaries, Greece and seen cockroaches in all at some stage, they just scuttle away from you. They were in the street in Cyprus. We went to Gran Canaria in October and didn't see one.

If your really nervous buy some spray when you get there.

Sarah

We've been to Tenerife several times, and haven't been bothered by them.

Ive been to Tenerife about 6 times now and Ive seen ONE in all that time!

Loads of little cute little lizards mind, but no cockroaches!

Where does this myth come from that the Canaries are full of cockroaches?

OK it used to be but the Councils are waging a war with the Timeshare touts now so there are very few to annoy people

Seriously, I have holidayed here for over 25 years and lived here for 1 and have probably seen all of half a dozen in all that time.

Don't let others fill your head with these silly stories, come and try it for yourself, you are missing so much