How To Identify And Get Rid of Brown Banded Cockroach

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) is small and light brown in coloration with a length of about half an inch - 13 to 15mm in length. It has two broad white stripes on both wings and abdominal segments, making it a special characteristic of this insect.

These bands are more defined in nymphs and females and hence should be used as the defining criteria.

Males vs. Females

They are sexually dimorphic with male insects being thin with broad wings that conceal the abdomen, which they can use for short hovering flights in case of any disturbances. Males are smaller and possess wings that do not span until the abdomen’s region, while females are broader and do not fly.

Nymphs

Frogs are larger, less developed in the limbs, have no wings, and are generally darker in color compared to nymphs, which have more contrasting banding. Adults are a drab greyish color, while one of the defining characteristics of the species remains the presence of black bands on their legs.

Behavior

Contrary to other cockroach species that are known to thrive in dark and damp conditions, brown-banded cockroaches are known to be attracted to warm and dry conditions. Rodents are often located in the upper sections of a dwelling, on walls, ceilings, or within electrical appliances.

It may also involve infesting furniture, picture frames, and behind wallpapers. This behavior of roaches residing in high-up places makes them easily recognizable from others such as the German cockroach which requires humid areas to live in.

Habitat

Brown-banded cockroaches are usually found in warmer environments with temperatures of about 80°F (27°C) and unlike other cockroaches, they are capable of surviving in environments that may be devoid of water.

It is common to find them in places like bedrooms, living rooms, and office spaces which can help you identify if they are around.

It is important to use various methods to get rid of brown-banded cockroaches because they are not easy to remove completely.

These pests are tenacious and may establish themselves in different parts of the house therefore, it is important to control them appropriately. Some of the ways you can control them are listed below:

Sanitation plays an essential role in controlling brown-banded cockroach populations because it prevents the presence of food sources. Clean floors often, particularly the tiles in the kitchen and dining areas with sweeping and mopping.

It is also necessary to work under the appliances, behind the cabinets, and in any other cubbyholes that might be home to crumbs or food particles. Make it a point to take out the trash and ensure the food is stored in proper containers that can be sealed. 

Cockroaches can penetrate any home, even when a gap cannot be seen with the naked eye. Look for holes and voids in walls, floors, and ceilings where water pipes, electrical and telephone wires enter or exit your dwelling, gaps down low around doors and windows, and openings at ceiling level.

These openings might be sealed using caulk or sealant to reduce the chances of cockroaches accessing the house. Closing these points not only helps to keep cockroaches out but also makes the environment less suitable for them in terms of drafts and moisture.

Cockroaches like to live and breed in dirty areas that make them hard to trace. Eliminate excess papers, cardboard boxes, and other items that offer concealment to the pests. Ensure the storage places are properly arranged and clean the rooms which are usually storage places like closets, basement, and attic.

Gaining control of clutter also minimizes available shelter for the brown-banded cockroaches hence they become easily visible and consequently eradicable. This indicates that in an environment with minimal clutter, the cockroaches are easily reached by the control measures.

Since cockroaches are especially drawn to damp areas, addressing any leaks in the home is crucial in controlling these insects. Look for and fix dripping taps, damaged pipelines, and other household equipment such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Make sure that water in sinks and bathtubs is drained efficiently and that these surfaces are allowed to dry up in case they are used. These are the things that can be done to make your home less inviting to cockroaches as well as to make it unsuitable for mold and mildew.

Bait stations are effective in brown-banded cockroach management. These stations include a substance with an insecticide that is preferred by cockroaches. If ingested they take the poison back pointing it to others in their nest to be infected with the poison.

Bait placement should be in areas where cockroaches are frequently observed, including beneath and around appliances, cabinets, and baseboards. This means that one should frequently monitor the bait stations and replace them if they cease to function optimally.

Insecticidal dust can be used as an effective treatment for areas of infestation where cockroaches are likely to be concealed. This dust is made up of very small particles that attach themselves to the bodies of the cockroaches and kill them as they track through them.

Sprinkle the dust in seams, joints, around and behind furniture, and in wall cavities. Some of the other active ingredients present are boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and silica gel. The dust remains active for a longer period, and cockroaches that step on it are eliminated upon contact.

Another effective control method is the use of gel baits in a bid to trap the brown-banded cockroaches. These baits are flickered in small amounts or in thin streaks in locations where cockroaches are seen to be moving around, such as gaps or around furniture and appliances.

These insects first eat the bait and then crawl back to their secret hiding places and other parts of the building and pass the poison. Gel baits are highly attractive to cockroaches and are effective in reducing cockroach populations.

Brown-banded cockroach management can benefit from the use of sticky traps as a monitoring and control technique. It is essentially an adhesive sheet covering the entire area of a trap and captures cockroaches when passing over it.

Put traps in areas likely to have cockroach movement patterns, especially near floor edges, behind counters, below utensils, and other hiding spaces. Inspect traps often and remove them once they are loaded with pests. Sticky traps can be useful in locating areas where there is heavy traffic of insects.

These traps are sticky ones that contain the scent of the pheromones that are released by cockroaches in order to attract them. These traps attract cockroaches inside, within them there is the glue that binds the cockroaches and they cannot escape.

Pheromone traps are effective tools for assessing the density of cockroach infestations and detecting their increased activity. When you put these traps in strategic areas around your house, you will be able to identify areas where there is high infestation and control the situation appropriately.

Sodium borate is an insecticide that is used in the control of cockroaches and it is derived from natural sources. Boric acid works by making the cockroaches get in touch with it and the material becomes stuck on their bodies, leading to alteration of their digestive systems hence death.

Spray a small amount of boric acid at a time, avoid spraying thick layers, and be sure to spray it at places where cockroaches are most likely to transit, such as corners near the floor, edges of countertops, inside drawers, and other concealed areas.

Commercially available insecticides include insect growth regulators (IGRs) that hinder cockroach growth and development or make them incapable of reproducing. IGRs can be deployed in areas where cockroaches are observed to be most frequent such as the baseboard, cracks, and crevices.

These products do not directly exterminate the cockroaches but rather the riders slowly suppress their breeding and end up reducing their numbers. IGRs, thus, form a useful combination with other control methods like baits, and sprays to bring long-lasting solutions.

Consider hiring a pest control service especially if they’re an ongoing issue in your home or business as brown-banded cockroaches can be tough to eliminate. Specialists can use highly toxic pesticides and techniques that are efficient in eradicating cockroach infestations.

They can also assist in a full evaluation of your home to see how the pests may get in or where they are most likely to breed. A professional pest control services provider can help develop a suitable strategy for exterminating the cockroaches on one’s premises and avoiding their return.

Among the most efficient techniques for removing brown cockroaches in house, isolated eggs, and other materials that might have attracted their presence is through vacuuming. It is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture even the smallest particles in the air when cleaning.

Areas under furniture such as a bed or dressing table and hidden spots like cracks and crevices must also be vacuumed properly. Cleansing the house consistently and vacuuming specifically ensures the removal not only of cockroaches but also other particles that might attract such creatures as allergens

Amongst the most basic and effective methods of cockroach control and eradication is preventing them access to food. Use airtight storage for all food, including pet food, so that animals cannot access them. This includes flours, sugars, cereals, and fruits as well as vegetables in commercial stores for human consumption.

Minimize spillage on the floor and wipe with a mop or sweep the floor regularly and do not leave dirty dishes in the sink. Safe food storage eliminates this possibility because it denies cockroaches a place to lay their eggs and feed.

There are some oils that can be naturally repellent to cockroaches, they include peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. Dilute these oils with water and use the solution to spray areas that cockroaches frequent or are likely to cross like doorjambs, windowsills, and baseboards.

Cockroaches are discouraged from entering those areas that are treated with these oils due to their intense smell. As the odor wears off over time, it is recommended that the treatment is repeated again and again though this method is safer than using chemicals to repel them.

Some of the major signs and symptoms of brown-banded cockroach infestation are as follows:

Roach Sightings

Brown-banded cockroaches are usually found in warm, dry locations such as shelves, upper cupboards, and behind cracks in walls. They are different from other roaches, occupying higher places and do not like humidity.

They are only several centimeters in size and are usually light brown, so they are sometimes hardly noticeable, especially when the environment is relatively dark.

If they exhibit such behavior as running for cover on any form of disturbance, especially towards the upper parts, it is a clear sign of an infestation that needs urgent treatment to reduce further colonization.

Droppings

Brown-banded cockroach feces are small and dark, which makes it easy to mistake them for ground pepper or coffee grounds. They are usually seen in places they have contact with food or prefer to nest such as cabinets, baseboards, or counters.

Due to their propensity to aggregate in dry areas, the latrine could also be found in odd places such as shelves, closets, or even electronic gadgets. Such droppings indicate an infestation and require immediate action to be taken on control measures.

Egg Capsules (Oothecae)

The brown-banded cockroach lays small, light brown capsules known as oothecae measuring about 5mm long that are often attached to surfaces by a slim sticky glue and are normally laid in out-of-sight areas such as behind paintings, under furniture, and in electronic gadgets.

The female locusts lay eggs within the capsule that hatches many nymphs which increases the problem of infestation. If you spot these capsules, then it is a tell-tale sign of an infestation and they should be handled with care and disposed of properly to avoid hatching of the remaining roaches.

Musty Odor

If one recognizes a musty smell in their premises, they should consider himself or herself a victim of brown-banded cockroaches. This smell is derived from the cockroaches themselves especially where their numbers are high and is characteristic of areas such as closets, cabinets, or electronics.

It comes from their pheromones, feces, and molting skins. However, if you realize that there is a funny odor, especially a musty one, combined with signs such as droppings or sightings, it means that you have a severe problem that requires the attention of a professional.

These cockroaches cause lots of damage to the house. Some of the major ones are:

Contamination of Food

It transmits diseases such as Salmonella by contaminating food with their droppings, saliva, and shed skins. This contamination can cause foodborne illnesses and other ailments thus making the stored foods unsuitable for human consumption.

The accumulation of roaches in pantries and kitchens creates a major health hazard hence the need for cleaning the spaces and disposing of any food items.

Allergic Reactions

Cockroach allergens which exist in feces, saliva, and body parts cause allergic reactions in people with such sensitivities. Some of the symptoms include skin rashes, itchy eyes, and sneezing.

Prolonged exposure can aggravate these responses, rendering indoor spaces intolerable for allergy sufferers. New home laundry should also be cleaned frequently, and pest control measures should be taken to avoid the rapid accumulation of allergens leading to frequent health complications.

Asthma Exacerbation

Brown-banded cockroaches are responsible for releasing substances that can contribute to asthma and even make it worse when it comes to children. These allergens are easily inhaled because they become airborne and dwell in dust.

This can result in the worsening of asthma symptoms and make the patient use advanced medical care options and medications to get relief from respiratory issues.

Damage to Wallpaper

These roaches feed on the starchy paste used to install the wallpapers hence leading to wallpapers peeling off within a short period of time. It causes ugly discoloration that may call for expensive repairs or replacement, as well as diminishing the beauty of rooms in which it occurs.

This shows that infestations are the main causes of damage to wallpapers hence preventing them is a major way of maintaining them.

Destruction of Books and Paper Products

Brown-banded cockroaches are drawn to paper and can cause damage to books, documents, or any paper-based product through the process of feeding or defecating.

These losses can be very infuriating and can result in the destruction or damage of property such as clothes, books, and other valued items. This destruction can be prevented by storing paper products in sealed containers to protect them from the elements.

Electronic Malfunctions

These roaches particularly like to invade electronics products in search of heat and hide. They can mess up devices by chewing on wires, leaving corrosive waste, and blocking ventilation, all of which occur inside devices.

This can result in failure of equipment, short circuits, and even fire risks. Such costly damages can, however, be avoided through routine inspection and cleaning of the electronic devices.

Clothing Damage

Cockroaches may drag their food particles and crumbs to the fabric surfaces especially the clothes hence causing tears and fraying and staining of the cloth. This damage often calls for expensive repairs and can interfere with a normal schedule.

It is also important to store clothes in sealed containers and keep your house clean to minimize the possibility of clothes being affected by these insects.