Most people know what a cockroach is and think that they are all the same. However, there are variations of these pests, as with a variety of other animals. Wood roaches look similar to a household cockroach, but they’re primarily found outside.
Generally, they live in rotted tree stumps and logs. They can also be found in firewood, dead trees, and loose bark. Typically, these roaches like the light while regular ones run from it.
Any pest can be a nuisance if it gets into your home or does significant damage around it. In fact, wood cockroaches aren’t very secretive, like regular ones. Therefore, they are going to be just as active during the day as they are at night. Plus, they’re less likely to run away when you approach them.
They’re not going to favor a particular location in the house. Anywhere with wood (such as furniture or baseboards), can be home to a such a pest.
However, they aren’t going to reproduce or live in the home because they need a moist environment. When they’re inside, it’s often for food.
No, wood roaches aren’t the same as the household cockroach. For one, they aren’t light-sensitive and can be out in the open during daylight and when you turn on the lights at night. In fact, they could infest your light sockets because they don’t mind the warmth to a degree.
Though regular roaches are often skittish and sneaky, the wood cockroach doesn’t stay hidden. They are going to roam around whenever they want to do so.
Primarily, these pests like to live in wood, hence their name. Therefore, they’re sure to be in firewood. However, they can also live in wood siding and shingles. If you live in or near the woods, you may see them more often because the wood roach doesn’t know that your house and a tree aren’t the same things.
Generally, the wood roach looks like the American cockroach. They both feature a chestnut color with an oval shape and long antennae. Both have six legs, but they differ primarily in size. The traditional roach is between 1 1/4 and 2 1/8 inches long. However, wood roaches are shorter and only grow to about 1 inch in length.
Wood roaches don’t often live in houses, but they will venture inside to enjoy any food you may have lying around. Also, they are more prone to staying in homes if there is any wood rot or moist areas from water damage.
Typically, these pests live outside and get carried into the home. For example, they might be nesting in or around your firewood. When you go outside and carry more wood into the house, they can fall and skitter out of sight. It’s best to ensure that you don’t bring them in and keep their eggs out of your home. That way, you prevent an infestation.
Generally, the wood roach lives in North America and prefers moist, wooded areas. This can include many things, such as:
Often, the females prefer loose bark from dead trees to lay her eggs because it adds a layer of protection from predators.
Though they may get into your house, they don’t usually infest anything indoors. Males are drawn to the lights of your house, so they can crawl through windows and other openings. Usually, they only stay for a few weeks and are found most often during springtime.
Wood roaches prefer to eat decaying matter, such as leaf litter and rotting trees. They aren’t likely to eat your furniture or the structure of your home unless there is already damage, and the wood is rotting.
Since this type of cockroach is only accidental when it invades, it’s easier to keep them out of your house. Just make sure that you are keeping the weather stripping and screens in good condition, and there aren’t any holes. You should also inspect the exterior walls periodically and fill up gaps, openings, and cracks with caulk.
It’s also a great idea to cut the tree branches away from the roof of your house so that the wood cockroaches can’t gain easy access to it. They are also attracted to homes with moisture. Therefore, fix any hoses and spigots that are leaking. Make sure the gutters are unclogged and repair any issues that allow moisture to develop around the walls of the house.
You can also keep the leaves raked up and away from the home. That way, these pests don’t have a lot to munch on while on the property.
Also, consider these ways to prevent wood roaches from coming onto your property:
If you have taken all of the preventative measures and still find wood roaches in your house, it’s best to call a professional exterminator. They can help you come up with a pest-prevention plan that meets your needs.
Often, this starts with an inspection of your property to determine if they are, in fact, wood roaches. Initial treatment can include spraying pesticides and helping you find ways to keep them at bay, such as the options listed above. Another inspection is done to ensure that the pests are gone. Then, you may need a maintenance check periodically to ensure that there aren’t any new holes or openings in which the pests can get inside.
Now is the time to focus on preventing pests, such as wood roaches, from getting into your house. 24H Pest Pros can assess the situation and offer treatment. Speak to our Cockroach Exterminators now if you have an infestation.
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