Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Description: Male Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are 7/8 to 1-1/4 inches long, and females are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long when mature; both are chestnut brown. Males have fully developed wings; the wings of females cover about half of their abdomens. The pronotum is edged in creamy white. Nymphs are usually red-brown to dark brown. The purse-shaped egg capsule ootheca is yellow-brown, approximately 1/2 inch long, strongly bowed. and typically has 16 to 18 eggs per side.

Biology: During her lifetime, the female Pennsylvania wood cockroach produces about 30 egg capsules each of which contains about 32 eggs. The female deposits the egg capsule in protected areas, e.g., under the loose bark of dead trees, logs, stumps, etc. Nymphs hatch during the summer and overwinter in protected sites, maturing in the spring when the adults mate. Development time from egg to adult averages 318 days.

Habits: Adult males are strong fliers. They are attracted to lights, gaining entry to structures through cracks and gaps near the light source. Females can not fly and do not congregate around light but can crawl into structures through exterior openings. Adults and nymphs frequently are brought indoors on firewood. Wood cockroaches are more of a problem in structures located near woods.

Control: Control is seldom warranted as these cockroaches do not survive within structures. The occasional wood cockroach found within a structure can be removed with a vacuum; there is no need to apply a product indoors. A preventive strategy including caulking or otherwise sealing all exterior cracks and gaps, repairing screens and ensuring that they fit tightly, installing door sweeps on exterior doors and screening vents is the best course of action.