S & W Pest Management Inc : Insect Guide

Pest Guide » Cockroaches » Brownbanded Cockroach:

Brownbanded Cockroaches
Supella longipalpa
Color: Brown, with pronounced banding across wings
Legs: Six
Shape: Oval
Size: 1/2"
Antennae: Yes
Flight: Yes

Brown banded cockroaches get their name from the two lighter bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. The female and male brown banded cockroaches do not look much alike. The male is long and thin, while the female is more oval in shape.

The brownbanded cockroach is more likely to be found in homes, hotels or apartments rather than commercial restaurants or kitchens. These insects feed on almost anything. They prefer to hide in warm, elevated areas near the ceiling, behind wall decorations, loose wallpaper, in shower stalls, underneath chairs and tables, in closets, beneath or inside upholstered furniture, and in electrical appliances such as TV sets, stereos, radios and toasters. They develop and live throughout the building, especially bedrooms, making control difficult.

It is important to note that while they do not cause structural damage to a home, they are dangerous because they 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.

Recent medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions in inner city 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 Outside:

Store fire wood away from your home and remove piles of lumber or other decaying wood that could serve as a nesting site.
Use 20-mesh screen on all windows and doors, and especially at ventilation openings for attics and crawl spaces.
Seal exterior doors with weather stripping and fill gaps in walls and floors where pipes enter using steel wool or caulking compounds.
Eliminate sources of moisture such as leaky faucets, plumbing, and free-standing water. Also, make sure that your sprinkler system does not spray directly onto the foundation of your home or business.
Secure garbage in trash cans.

Prevention Indoors:

Inspect all incoming food goods, boxes, and used furniture and appliances for the presence of cockroaches or their egg capsules.
Avoid storing food items in cardboard boxes on shelves. Cardboard is a preferred hiding place for cockroaches.
Store paper bags in the garage or room other than the kitchen, utility room, or bathrooms.

If you would like to make an appointment with S & W Pest Management, please fill out the online appointment form or call 1-877-989-BUGS.