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Smoky
Brown Cockroach
Characteristics –
Size: As large as 1-1/2 inches in length.
Color: Dark mahogany brown.
Behavior –
This cockroach is a ready flier and easily travels from trees onto houses. It is
commonly attracted to homes to feed on improperly maintained trash containers
and pet food on patios and decks. Once by the house, the insect may then enter.
Habitat – The smoky brown cockroach usually invades the
attic or crawl space where it finds conditions similar to those found within a
tree hole. Once populations grow large inside these areas, the cockroaches
regularly venture down into the home. The occasional cockroach may wander into a
home from harborage outside but chronic infestations are most always associated
with attic or crawl space populations. Research has shown that attics and crawl
spaces that have good ventilation are less likely to have these cockroaches
living within them. The smoky brown is a common pest of homes along the Gulf
Coast from central Florida to eastern Texas. It is also found in a few areas of
Southern California, especially in the Los Angeles area.
Tips for Control – The best way to control smoky brown
cockroaches is to determine the source and treat it directly, usually with a
cockroach bait product. To keep these cockroaches from invading, the following
steps are helpful:
 | Ensure the attic and/or crawl space has sufficient ventilation. Research
has shown that proper ventilation creates an environment unsuitable for
cockroaches and other pests. It also improves the heating and cooling
efficiency of the home.
| Make sure that all foundation and attic vents are equipped with
tight-fitting screens.
| Seal as many exterior cracks and holes as possible on the outside of the
home.
| Do not allow pet food to sit out overnight. Pick it up after outdoor pets
are finished eating.
| Store firewood as far from the house as possible, locating it off the
ground and covering it with a tarp or plastic.
| Eliminate piles of lumber and debris where cockroaches could harbor. |
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