How to Get Rid of Wood Roaches – The cockroach is the disgusting creature that causes people to feel hate the most often. What if, however, we told you that not all roaches are nefarious intruders?
One significant exception to the cockroach cliché is the wood roach (also known as the tree roach).
Knowing whether you’re up against a wood roach and how to deal with them is crucial because, of course, even exceptions might be unwelcome.
Let’s take a closer (but not too near) look at these animals and discuss ways to prevent them from entering your house.
What do Wood Roaches look like?
The Blattellidae family includes the Parcoblatta genus of roaches, which are the brave wood roaches. The Pennsylvania wood roach, Virginia wood cockroach, western wood cockroach, and other native North American wood cockroach species are among its 12 species.
Don’t be misled by the species’ locational names; they are found throughout the US in various states. The size, color, and states that different species of wood roaches live in distinguish them from one another.
The largest roach is the Pennsylvania wood roach (Parcoblatta pennsylvanica), which can grow to a length of 1.3/4 inches. Other species are considerably smaller; their length ranges from 0.5 to 1 inch. Any species’ males can fly fairly quickly, however they can’t get very far, and females are completely denied this amusement.
Wood roaches are not a problem in the home. They are outdoor cockroaches that live under the bark and other moist areas of the forest and infest rotting wood.
They will never leave their home forest if the conditions are right, but in the event of a drought or a shortage of sufficient food, they go in quest of a better life in a house close to the forest.
The distinctions between cockroaches vs wood roaches
A wood roach behaves differently inside than a typical cockroach, like an American or Oriental cockroach, would. “Wood roaches are not secretive; they are active both during the day and at night, and they are less likely to run out of sight when approached,” say experts from Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Additionally, they will roam the house without gathering in one particular area. The entomologists reassuringly add that a wood roach infestation is only temporary since, unlike their pest brethren, they do not breed inside; rather, only the atmosphere of their home in moist woods is conducive to their reproduction.
According to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture entomologist Jeffrey K., any wood cockroach that finds itself indoors may make you uneasy and shuffle through the trash or sink in search of something organic, but it will surely die within a few days.
As transient visitors, wood roaches wouldn’t damage the home or the furniture and, of course, wouldn’t consider biting someone.
To be completely honest, this is a huge relief. However, seeing these creatures is not pleasant, thus getting rid of them is required.
The method by which wood cockroaches enter your home
The preference for living in wood sets wood roaches apart from other varieties of cockroaches. They’ll settle in your woodpile, hollowed-out stumps, and old, decaying trees.
In their wanderings in quest of food, they will enter your home if they come across an entrance since they are drawn to light. They typically enter through poorly sealed doors or by accidently being brought in with your firewood.
Causes of Wood Cockroach Issues
Wood cockroaches can transmit and spread disease, much like any other cockroach species. If they come into your house, they might contaminate your food and spread germs on your counters.
If there are a lot of cockroaches in your home, some people who are allergic to them may experience bad effects.
Understanding Wood Cockroaches
It might be challenging to distinguish between different cockroach breeds because they tend to flee or hide rather than remain put so you can inspect them. The size and color of a wood roach help you differentiate it from other cockroach species.
These characteristics make it easier to recognize wood cockroaches:
- Wood cockroaches have a distinct, lighter-colored thorax and are chestnut brown in appearance.
- Their thorax has a light, yellowish tint, and this color is carried over to the front of their wings, where it serves as an outline.
- They are little in stature. While females can only reach lengths of one half to three quarters of an inch, males often measure around one inch.
How to Get Rid of Wood Roaches
You rarely need to treat the interior of your home because these roaches don’t reproduce there. These roaches are resistant to the chemicals used to control house roaches, which makes sense.
- Pick up any wood roaches that have gotten into your home with a vacuum or a broom and dustpan, then throw them away.
- Keeping wood cockroaches out of your home is the best course of action:
- Bring the wood inside just when you are prepared to burn it.
- Keep wood stacks off the ground and away from your house.
- To prevent them from entering, close up any cracks and tiny openings.
- Maintain the screens and weatherstripping on your windows and doors.
- To avoid attracting men at night, draw the blinds closed or switch off the lights.
- During the late May and June mating season, when the males are frequently in flight, try to avoid using your porch light.
- Before taking the firewood inside, inspect it.
- Put sweeps on all your doors, even garage doors.
- Fill in any minor gaps around your home’s exterior, especially those around pipes, utility lines, and windows.
Although wood roaches, like all roaches, have a repulsive appearance, they are actually much less dangerous than other roaches since they never hide at night or fall on you while you’re sleeping.
If you maintain your home and yard clean, they are not difficult to get rid of wood roaches, unlike the most common pest, cockroaches, which will constantly try to take over your warm and welcoming home.