The Smokybrown Cockroach Is One Of The Most Commonly Encountered Insect Pests In Central Texas Where They Can Establish Breeding Sites Within Homes.
Cockroaches are not hard to come by in central Texas, as multiple cities in the region have been named as being among the most roach-infested cities in the US. In Waco, for example, pest control calls concerning cockroaches far outnumber the national average. Social workers and police officers regularly report roaches as being the most significant and threatening insect pests found in impoverished homes. In fact, roaches have literally been found nesting in the ears of children living in infested homes in the city, and in nearby Fort Hood, military housing authorities have long struggled to control roach pests within homes located on the base. The most common species of roach pests regularly found within Waco homes include American, Oriental, German and brown-banded cockroaches. The smokybrown cockroach is another frequently encountered roach pest species in Waco homes, and although these roaches prefer to dwell outdoors, they have been known to establish breeding populations within houses.
The smokybrown cockroach is most abundant in central and eastern Texas, and in addition to invading homes, these roaches annoy and terrify residents by flying toward artificial lights on porches and along residential streets. The 2 inch long American cockroach species is the largest roach pest in the US, but the smokybrown is not far behind, as both males and females grow to the startling size of 1 ¼ to 1 ½ of an inch in length. Unsurprisingly, smokybrown cockroaches are often mistaken for American cockroaches due to their similar brown to dark brown color, comparable size, preference for humid indoor locations, ability to fly, and their tendency to access homes through sewer and septic pipes. Once indoors, smokybrown cockroaches are most frequently found in attics and fireplaces where rainwater often leaks indoors. Smokybrown cockroaches can be differentiated from American cockroaches by their particularly long antennae, which exceeds their body length.
Have you ever spotted roaches flying toward your porch lights?
