Smokybrown Cockroaches in Georgia
Smokybrown roaches are dark brown or black in coloration with a dark shiny area directly behind their head (pronotum). They range from 1.25-1.5 inches in length with both the males and females being capable of flight. Juvenile roaches have a color similar to the adults later in life, but they will have a white band on their back and tips of their antennae when they are in their initial juvenile stages. They will not have wings until they reach their adult stage; they also cannot reproduce until reaching adulthood. The antenna of these roaches will be roughly the length of the body and can even be longer than the body. Compared to many other roaches smokybrown roaches are relatively strong fliers; their wings are often longer than the full length of their body.
Outside they are foragers feasting mainly on decaying plant material. However, they will eat dead insects, feces, other cellulosic/starchy material, sugars, and a collection of other organic materials. Inside the home, in addition to looking for water, they feed on crumbs that are left lying around, food that has fallen under appliances, dishes stacked in the sink, and even pet food that is not properly stored or picked up at night. One reason these roaches are so common inside is their search for a water source. Just like humans, they need water to survive.
Smokeybrown Cockroach Facts and Identification
What Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Look Like?
Smokybrown cockroaches are about 1.5 inches long with a shiny, dark brown to mahogany-colored body. Both males and females have fully developed wings that extend beyond their bodies. They are uniformly colored with no distinct markings, giving them a smooth, polished appearance.
Signs of a Smokybrown Cockroach Infestation
Signs of a smokybrown cockroach infestation include spotting these large, shiny, dark brown cockroaches, particularly in moist, dark areas like attics, basements, or crawl spaces. You may also notice droppings that resemble small black specks, shed skins, or egg cases (oothecae) around infested areas. A musty odor is often present in severe infestations. Since they are nocturnal, you’re more likely to see them at night.
Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors
Where Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Live?
These roaches are most commonly found outside. They tend to live in leaf litter (leaf piles) and mulch around homes. Their dark color helps them stay camouflaged and protected from the untrained eye. They like damp dark locations and are commonly found in basements. They tend to be attracted to sources of water so leaking or dripping pipes and roofs, leaf piles in the gutters or on porches, heaps of wood, and trash can attract these roaches to your home. They make their way into the home under broken or missing door sweeps, through cracks or crevices, using plumbing voids, etc. Once inside they can be found all around the home, but they are seen most commonly in areas with high humidity and warm temperatures like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Diet
Smokybrown cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers with a diet that includes decaying organic matter, such as leaves, wood, and dead insects. They also feed on human food scraps, pet food, and even paper products. Their preference for moist environments means they often consume water-damaged materials.
Life Cycle
The development time of a smokybrown cockroach from egg to adult varies greatly, depending heavily on temperature, but averages about 600 days. Females produce egg cases called oothecae, each containing around 24 eggs. After hatching, nymphs undergo gradual molting stages over about a year before reaching adulthood. Adults typically live for 6-12 months, thriving in warm, humid climates. Commonly found in the southern U.S., these roaches are known for invading homes through cracks and living in dark, moist spaces like attics and crawl spaces.
Behaviors
Since they are opportunistic insects these roaches come inside in search of food, water, or shelter. These roaches are primarily active at dusk and night when their dark coloration really helps to keep them hidden. They remain in safe, dark locations during the day before coming out to forage at night. These areas can include but are not limited to inside tree holes, under mulch, under garbage cans, under pine straw, and on the inside of gutters. Any area with a fairly high moisture content is great for their occupancy. Always contact a professional cockroach exterminator when you are dealing with an infestation.
Are Smokybrown Cockroaches Dangerous?
Smokybrown cockroaches can spread bacteria and allergens, potentially triggering asthma or allergic reactions. They contaminate food, kitchen surfaces, and other household areas. These pests are also known to carry pathogens like Salmonella, which can cause foodborne illnesses. While they do not bite or sting, their presence in homes can pose significant health risks, making prompt cockroach pest control essential.
How To Get Rid of Smokybrown Cockroaches
To get rid of roaches, we use targeted treatments like baits and insecticide sprays specifically formulated for cockroaches, concentrating on areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and under appliances where the roaches hide. Pest control experts like Active Pest Control can apply insecticides and treatments to safely remove the pests from your home, with specialist knowledge, including how to get rid of cockroaches from air vents and how to keep you, your family, and pets safe.
Smokybrown Cockroach Prevention Tips
To stop smokybrown cockroaches from entering your home, seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations. Next, reduce moisture levels and humidity by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers, as these roaches seek harborage in damp areas. Keep gutters clear, trim trees and shrubs away from the house, and store firewood away from the foundation. Regularly clean and declutter indoor spaces to eliminate hiding spots. If you notice persistent roach activity despite your efforts, it’s important to know when to call an exterminator for cockroaches, especially if you spot multiple roaches or signs of a large infestation. We recommend seeking professional pest control help at the very first sign of an infestation to avoid the problem escalating.
Our team of cockroach pest control experts understands how distressing an smokybrown cockroach infestation can be. We are proud to provide our Georgia community with quick, effective, and long-lasting cockroach control services year-round.
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Smokybrown Cockroach FAQs
Are Smokybrown Roaches Hard to Get Rid of?
Smokybrown cockroaches are difficult to eliminate due to their ability to hide in dark, moist areas like attics, basements, and wall voids. Their nocturnal behavior makes detection harder, and they often require a combination of baits, insecticides, and professional pest control for effective removal.
What is the Difference Between Smokybrown & American Roaches?
Smokybrown cockroaches are smaller (about 1.5 inches) with a uniformly dark, shiny brown color, while American cockroaches are larger (up to 2 inches) and reddish-brown with a yellowish marking on their thorax. Both are common types of cockroaches in Georgia, but American roaches are more common indoors.
Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Bite?
Smokybrown cockroaches rarely bite humans, and if they do, it’s typically in extreme infestations where food sources are scarce. However, bites are uncommon and generally not harmful. These pests are more of a nuisance due to their potential to spread bacteria and allergens.
