Brown-banded cockroaches, like the rest of their relatives, are an annoying and unsanitary pest to have around. These cockroaches are particularly good at hiding and reproduce rapidly. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Appearance
The brown-banded cockroach is characterized by the two light brown bands that run across their bodies, which are dark brown in color. Females are generally darker in color than males. Both males and females have wings, but while the males’ wings allow them to fly, females’ wings are underdeveloped and flightless. These cockroaches are also smaller in size, only reaching about a half-inch in length.
How Did I Get Brown-Banded Cockroaches?
Brown-banded cockroaches love to infest places that are warm, dry and have lots of protection. They are sneaky, too, able to find their way into the home in multiple ways. They can enter through tiny gaps in doors, windows and walls. They can also enter via items that people bring into their homes, from luggage to furniture to groceries.
How Serious Are Brown-Banded Cockroaches?
Brown-banded cockroaches prove themselves to be quite the unwelcome guests. They settle anywhere they can find food. Food for a brown-banded cockroach can be practically anything, even other cockroaches. However, they tend to favor food sources that contain high amounts of starch, such as trash, leftover food, wallpaper glue, book bindings, paper or cardboard products, window drapes and much more.
These cockroaches are also major disease carriers. They pick up all kinds of germs, pathogens, allergens and microorganisms as they crawl through unsanitary material like sewage. Therefore, they can prove to be a major health risk if allowed to stick around. Brown-banded cockroaches are also rapid breeders, with females able to lay about 14 egg cases, or oothecas, in their lifetimes, and each egg case can contain 10-18 eggs.
Finally, brown-banded cockroaches can cause unsightly messes with their eating habits and fecal matter, which often smears the surface of whatever it touches.
Facts
Brown-banded cockroaches typically live in any place they deem to be a good secluded hiding spot. These are usually dark, out-of-the-way areas like corners, basements, storage areas, cabinets, closets, walls and ceilings. They also tend to stay away from water sources or any other place that humans frequent.
Brown-banded cockroaches are generally nocturnal, though they may also occasionally search for food during the day. One of the most common ways to find out you have them is by turning on a light and seeing them scurry or fly into dark corners to hide.
Life Cycle
Brown-banded cockroaches can live as little as 130 days and as many as 315, with an average lifespan of around 206 days. They start life in their egg capsules, which are yellowish in color, about 5mm long and are often laid in secure, hard-to-reach places like under furniture. Once the eggs hatch after 24-36 hours, brown-banded cockroaches can take anywhere from 90 to 276 days to mature, depending on living conditions.
Signs of A Brown-Banded Cockroach Infestation
One of the most common ways to identify a brown-banded cockroach infestation is by finding their droppings in the places they frequent. You may also find their egg cases, or you may find cockroaches yourself as you move around your home. Remember, if you find one, more are likely hiding nearby.
How Do I Get Rid of Brown-Banded Cockroaches?
Cockroaches can be dealt with through the use of traps, but traps are an inefficient solution that will never eradicate the problem completely. If you think you have a cockroach infestation, it’s best to call the professionals right away before the problem gets too out-of-hand. At Dodson Pest Control, we have over 75 years of experience getting rid of pest infestations, so we’ll get the job done quickly and thoroughly. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection!
