Although a relative of the American
cockroach the smoky brown cockroach is smaller in size only growing to 1” in
size when they reach adulthood. This species of cockroach is a deep brown color
which is solid and does not have any lines or markings which make them easy to
identify. The wings of the smoky brown cockroach are found on both the male and
female and are slightly longer than their body. The young of this species is
able to be easily identified due to the long antennae which have a white tip.
The female smoky brown cockroach can produce up to 17 egg capsules in her
lifetime which each will contain around 25 eggs. The lifespan of this species
is slightly less than their relative the American cockroach and in suitable
environments can live up to 200 days.
This cockroach is not widely spread
throughout the United States and tends to stay in areas which are moist and
warm such as Texas, California Florida and other coastal states. Although this
species has been brought into the north, it is not able to adapt and survive to
the cold temperatures which are experienced in the northern states during the
winter months. The preferred food source of the smoky brown cockroach is
decaying plant material; however, once they have moved to an indoor home they
are able to survive on much of the same food sources as the American cockroach.
Outdoors this species can be found on or near wood shingles, in gutters which
have decaying organic material and under roofing shingles.
The smoky brown cockroach may prefer the
outdoors; however, they are frequently brought into a home when firewood is
transported or when items which have been stored outdoors are brought inside
from a garage shed or yard. They can also enter a home when foraging for food
and water through any small cracks or crevices as well as through open doors
and windows. Out of all of the species of cockroaches which are common in the
United States, this species tend to frequently move indoors and outdoors as
needed and will commonly migrate frequently between both. For this reason, you
may have to treat outdoor areas as well as indoor areas to eliminate this pest.
Because the smoky brown cockroach tends to
move about any room of the home or building as well as indoors and out it is
often necessary to take aggressive action when treating for this common pest
and all areas of the home may need to be treated. Both indoor and outdoor areas
typically need to be treated because this species will hide almost anywhere
they can. Preventative measures such as dusts which are placed at all entryways
and cracks around a home or other building are often effective at helping to
keep these pests out of homes and buildings. Because of the low reproductive
rate and time it takes for the egg capsules to hatch the smoky brown cockroach
is much easier to control then other species such as the German cockroach.
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