Brown-Banded Cockroach

• The most common indication of a brown-banded cockroach infestation is seeing a cockroach. Brown-banded cockroaches are often most active at night. However, they can be found looking for food during the day.
• Due to their nocturnal nature and small size, brown-banded cockroach infestations can be hard to spot. Another sign of a brown-banded cockroach infestation is often the droppings they leave behind. Their droppings appear as dark brown or black specks or smears and may be visible along the crown molding of ceilings, around ceiling light fixtures, under and around cabinets, even behind pictures.
• You may also find the egg cases (oothecae) laid by the female roaches. These cases are less than ¼” in length, yellowish in color, and are often deposited underneath furniture or on the upper third of walls.

• Brown-banded cockroaches are believed to require less water than other species of roaches, which enables infestations throughout a structure. They can be found in bedrooms and living areas, as well as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Brown-banded cockroaches tend to be found higher up than most other roach species. Look for them in upper cabinets, congregating near ceilings, and behind pictures on a wall.
• They also prefer warm temperatures. So, look for brown-banded cockroaches among electronic equipment, refrigerator motors, and televisions.

• The brown-banded cockroach is about ½” in length with six legs and two long antennae.
• They are oval in shape and have two distinguishing light brown bands across their dark brown bodies.
• Female brown-banded cockroaches are shorter, stouter, and tend to be much darker than males.
• Male brown-banded cockroaches have fully developed wings that reach beyond their abdomens and fly readily when disturbed.
• Females have underdeveloped wings that do not cover the entire abdomen. Females are not able to fly.

• Yes, a brown-banded cockroach infestation can pose a number of health risks.
• Brown-banded cockroaches are known to carry and spread harmful bacteria and protozoa which cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. They can pick up germs and microorganisms on their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then transfer them into food or onto cooking utensils and food preparation surfaces.
• Recent medical studies indicate cockroach allergens can trigger allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose; and exacerbate asthma attacks, especially in children.

The most common way for a brown-banded cockroach to get inside your home is to be brought in. They often spread while hiding in furniture, food products, grocery items, and electronics.

• Vacuum often. This not only keeps your floor free of spilled food, it can also remove cockroach instars and eggs.
• Keep a clean Kitchen. Pick up spilled food and crumbs immediately. Don’t leave dirty dishes out overnight.
• Store dry foods such as cereal, crackers, and cookies in airtight containers.
• Empty garbage each evening into a sturdy container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Caulk cracks and crevices around ducts, molding, etc. in bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, and other areas of the house.

The brown-banded cockroach will feed on almost anything organic. However, when given a choice, they prefer food with a higher starch content, such as book bindings, wallpaper glue, envelopes, and stamps. They also eat body oils and skin cells and can be found eating non-food items such as nylon stockings that contain traces of skin cells.

• The brown-banded cockroach lives 18-45 weeks (average 30 weeks) and reproduces at an alarming rate.
• Brown-banded cockroaches thrive in temperatures ranging from 77° to 90°.
• Females will lay about 14 egg capsules (oothecae) during their lifespan.
• Each ootheca contains 10-18 eggs and is yellowish or reddish-brown in color.
• Oothecae are commonly attached to coarse, protected undersides of surfaces and are found in clusters in dense infestations.
• Once the young hatch, they can mature into adults in as little as 90 days.