Pest Facts: Smokey-brown Cockroach
Description
The Smokey-brown cockroach gets its name from the uniformly shining brownish black to dark mahogany color. They are typically found outdoors in most southern states.
Pest Facts
- Color: Shiny brownish black to dark mahogany
- Legs: Six
- Shape: Oval
- Size: 1 to 1 1/2 inches
- Antennae: Yes
- Flying: Yes
- Region: Southern United States
Habits
Smokey-brown cockroaches are found outdoors in the south in dark, protected, moist areas. These cockroaches lose moisture through their cuticle more readily than other cockroaches and avoid areas where there is a lot of wind movement.
Habitat
Smokey-brown cockroaches prefer to live in dark, protected, moist areas outdoors and are commonly found around eaves and gutters due to their good flying abilities. They are typically found under debris, loose mulch, leaf litter, and wood piles.
Threats
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage. Medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions, especially in children. They were even shown to cause asthma in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches.
Prevention
Good sanitation and habitat reduction, along with an outdoor baiting or treatment program, and some sealing of cracks and proper screening around doors and windows can usually reduce or eliminate a cockroach problem. The reduction of moisture sources is also helpful.
