What Is A Wood Cockroach?

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What Is A Wood Cockroach?

Typically when we think of cockroaches we think about the four main pest species of roach. These four species, the American cockroach, the German cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach and the Oriental cockroach. All four of these species are considered nuisance insects that find their way inside homes, sheds, garages, business, schools and virtually everywhere else. There are around 4,500 species of cockroach around the world, and the one we’re featuring here is the wood cockroach. 

What Does A Wood Cockroach Look Like?

Wood cockroaches closely resemble American cockroaches due to their similar coloring and body shape, however, American cockroaches are typically larger. Wood cockroaches are about 3/4 to 1 inch in length.  By comparison American cockroaches measure around 1-1/4 to 2-1/8 inches long. They are dark brown with tan wings, however male wood roaches have wings that are longer than their bodies, while female wood roaches have small, nonfunctional wings. 

Where Are Wood Cockroach Habitats Located?

Wood cockroaches typically live in moist locations and can be found outside underneath organic material like leaves, loose tree bark, inside rotting logs or under branches. Wood roaches feed on decaying organic material, but if the need arises, will eat virtually anything, typically preferring starchy foods over fats and proteins. 

Unlike most other roach species, wood roaches are not light-sensitive and won’t scurry away if you turn on the light at night and can even be seen during the day. They are also less skittish than other roaches and are less likely to run away if you approach. 

Are Wood Cockroaches Dangerous?

While wood cockroaches do not breed indoors, they may come into your home searching for food, water and shelter. They often find their way inside your home when they fly towards the light emitted by your lamps and other light fixtures, or may hitch a ride on firewood that is brought indoors. 

Since wood roaches do not breed indoors there is less of a need to treat the interior of your home if you have a wood roach infestation. The best way to rid the inside of your home of wood roaches is to vacuum them up or to use a broom and dustpan to gather them up and get rid of them. If you are having a wood roach infestation outside on your property, you will need to call a pest control professional as the pesticides that eliminate household cockroaches are ineffective at eradicating wood roach populations.

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