Physical characteristics

The brown-banded cockroach is around 1/2 inches in length, and is light brown to brown in color. The females are much darker, more rounded and slightly smaller than the males. There’s a dark brown bell-shaped pattern on the pronotum, the shield covering insect’s back behind its head, and the wings grow more pale toward the tips, but there are two tan-colored lateral bands, one behind the pronotum and another one-third of the way toward the tail.

Cockroach_Brownbanded

Brown-banded Cockroach

Behavior

This roach, which could be mistaken for the German cockroach, is more likely to be found behind picture frames, moldings where a wall meets the ceiling and other high-up places, along with closets, inside appliances near the motor, inside light switches and in furniture. It prefers warm places over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The males are decent flyers; the females, not so much.

Treatment

Control cockroaches using exclusion –block potential entry points, especially keeping in mind the brown-banded cockroach’s preference for warm and high-up places, and inspect what you bring into your house for roaches or egg casings. Clean up food and water that could attract roaches, and reduce harborage spots by eliminating clutter. Your Clark technician can help you determine the best course of action to remove them from your environment.


Latin name: Supella longipalpa