Smokybrown Cockroach

Description: Smokybrown cockroaches are 1 to 1-1/4 inches long when mature, uniformly dark brown-to-mahogany and characterized by fully developed wings that completely cover their abdomens. The pronotum is black. Nymphs are red brown; the younger ones have white markings on their backs and the first four or five capsule ootheca is dark brown-to-black, 3/8 inch long, and typically has 10 to 14 eggs per side.

Biology: During her lifetime, the female smokybrown cockroach produces approximately ten egg capsules each of which contains about 20 eggs. Using secretions from her mouth, the female firmly attaches the egg cases to some surface or object and covers them with surrounding materials

Habits: Smokybrown cockroaches typically are outdoor pests commonly found in southern states as far west as central Texas. Outdoors they often are found in wood piles, flower planters, palm trees, water oaks and vacant buildings. Indoors they seek warm, humid areas without air circulation, such as garages, attics and crawlspaces.

Control: Smokybrown cockroaches enter structures from outdoors. Many types of cardboard and plastic sticky traps are available to help pinpoint sources of cockroach infestation and to monitor areas about which occupants have complained but infestations can not be visually detected. Sticky traps are not intended for control but, rather, to guide and evaluate control efforts as part of the inspection process.