Brown Banded Cockroach

Specific name: Supella longipalpa

Description

Brown banded cockroaches are small cockroaches, averaging between 10-14 mm in length. Their body is light brown with two distinctive light yellow bands that run along the backside of their wings. The adult females are shorter and wider than the males.

Habitat and Biology

Brown banded cockroaches require less moisture than most cockroaches and prefer dry habitats with temperatures of 80 degrees or higher. They live exclusively indoors near humans and infiltrate residential homes through furniture and boxes. Brown banded cockroaches commonly dwell behind kitchen cabinets, near heat producing appliances and inside closets.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the brown banded cockroach has three stages:

• Egg

The life cycle from the egg to the adult stage is around 160 days. Adult females glue egg cases on protective objects such as furniture or kitchen cabinets. Each egg case contains 14-18 eggs and is 5 mm long.

• Nymph

Nymphs emerge from the eggs and undergo a series of molts over two months before reaching the adult stage.

• Adult

The adult lifespan for the brown banded cockroach is around 10 months.

Feeding Habits

Brown banded cockroaches are gluttonous and will eat anything organic including books, leather and glue. They prefer starchy foods, however they are scavengers and will eat anything available including decaying matter.

Diseases

Brown banded cockroaches have been known to carry 33 kinds of bacteria, parasitic worms and other human pathogens. Brown banded cockroaches crawl through sewers, picking up bacteria on their hind legs and spreading it to food and kitchen surfaces.

Signs of a Brown Banded Cockroach Infestation

• Odor

Brown banded cockroaches produce a foul odor when infested inside residential homes. The odor is a combination of secretions and fecal pellets produced by the cockroaches.

• Egg Case

Brown banded cockroaches glue egg cases in safe protected areas including furniture, picture frames and under kitchen appliances. Egg cases are tan and around 5 mm long.

• Feces

Brown banded cockroaches leave behind feces in areas where activity is high. Brown banded cockroach feces resemble flakes of pepper.

Brown Banded Cockroach Control and Prevention

Create a less desirable habitat for cockroaches

• Sanitize kitchen surfaces and vacuum regularly.
• Clean appliances and areas where food builds up.
• Empty pet food containers before bedtime.
• Dispose of full trash bags frequently and use trash bins with tight fitting lids.
• Keep food in containers or sealed bags.
• Fix leaky plumbing and eliminate water supplies.
• De-clutter the home and garage, discarding of old boxes and papers.

How to get rid of brown banded cockroaches with Insecticide sprays

• Indoors: Spray a residual insecticide along baseboards, doorframes, corners of the home, under appliances and under furniture.
• Indoors: Use an aerosol flushing insecticide in tight areas such as cracks and crevices of kitchens and bathrooms. Brown banded cockroaches like to hide in snug areas.
• Outdoors: Apply a residual insecticide around the perimeter of the home.
• Warning: Pesticide is poisonous and should be handled by a pest control professional. Always read the label and follow instructions before use.

Baiting

• Cockroach baits are available in gels, dusts and granules.
• Use baits in areas where cockroaches frequent the most.
• Baits should be checked regularly. Sometimes cockroaches prefer some bait to others and can even build up a resistance to the chemicals.
• Switch out the bait if cockroaches are not taking the bait after two weeks.
• Make sure cockroach baits are kept out of reach of children and house pets.
• Warning: Pesticide is poisonous and should be handled by a pest control professional. Always read the label and follow instructions before use.

 

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