Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Worldwide, there are over 4,000 species of cockroaches from which only 30% are considered pests.

USA has more than 50 species of cockroaches with infestation being a major cause of nuisance in many American households.

And while, we have covered many states (Florida, Hawaii, Texas, etc.) and different roaches found there, today we are explicitly going to talk about wood roaches in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is home to the American cockroach, German cockroach, Brown-Banded cockroach, and the Oriental cockroaches.

The Pennsylvanian Wood roach is a common cockroach species found in eastern and central North America; as the name suggests, it is found near wood.

Let’s learn a little more about them.

What is a Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach?

Its scientific name is Parcoblatta Pennsylvanica and it is often mistaken for the American Cockroaches.

The Male grows between 7 1/8 to 1 1/8 inches in length, whereas females grow between 1/2 and 3/4 inches in length.

These wood roaches enjoy moist locations and are commonly found underneath organic material like loose bark on trees and rotting logs etc.

They are attracted to light, unlike their relatives, who are sensitive to light.

How to Identify Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach?

Males are dark brown in color, the sides of the thorax and the front half of the wings are margined with yellow color.

The sex of the Pennsylvania Wood Roaches can determine based on their size; the male grows larger than their female counterpart.

Adults males are fully winged, while females have conspicuous wing pads that are function-less.

The male’s wings are longer than it’s the body, while the female wings cover only one-third of the body.

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach vs. German Cockroach

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroaches are reddish-brown in color with a pale color on the edges of their wings.

They are not home invaders and like to stay outside, however, they can invade your homes through stacked wood and firewood.

Wings of Pennsylvania Wood roaches help them fly with ease and achieve a good amount of air time. They consume dead decaying wood or plants.

German roaches are commonly found in sewers and garbage and are avid home invaders.

They have tanned dark stripes behind their head and have a great peripheral vision as they have wrap-around eyes that curve into their head.

They can take off a speed up to 11 inches per second, equivalent to 93 miles an hour but lacks the ability to fly like the Pennsylvania Wood Roach.

Are Roaches Common in Pennsylvania?

Yes, roaches are common in Pennsylvania, and some of the common roaches are American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Brown-Banded cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches.

Among these species of cockroaches, the most common cockroach in Pennsylvania is the Wood Roach.

The northern states are less populated with roaches in comparison to the southern states.

The roaches are not quite as common in Pennsylvania as in the southern states of America.

However, the people living in Pennsylvania have more roach invaders than the people living in the northern states of the country.

As we all know, Pennsylvania is in the middle of 13 original states; it is also in the middle regarding the roach population.

What is the Difference Between a Wood Roach and a Cockroach?

Unlike their relatives, wood roaches are insensitive to light who often hide when you flick a light at night.

Wood Roaches enjoy the light and can get into light sockets to get warmth.

They roam around in your homes while other cockroaches tend to hide into the cracks of homes as soon as they come into contact with light.

These wood roaches prefer to stay outside, unlike other roaches that prefer to stay inside your house.

Are Wood Roaches Dangerous?

They do not possess any threat to human beings, however, they are quite annoying and disgusting to look at.

Wood roaches are also not known for carrying any diseases, unlike certain indoor roaches that roam in sewers and feed on the dead and decaying animals as well as trash.

They do enjoy feeding on decaying wood, but they are not as harmful as termites that feed on your furniture.

Pennsylvania Wood Roaches are quite useful as it feeds on the dead and decaying plants and breaks it down to natural fertilizers for the soil, enhancing the quality of the soil and our environment.

How to Prevent Pennsylvania Roaches?

Pennsylvania roaches rarely survive indoors, so preventive and exclusionary pest control is recommended.

There are some simple preventive measures to avoid Wood Roach infestation

• Fixing up and resealing windows and door frames can prevent roaches entry into your house, office, and restaurants.
• Liquid pesticides and chemicals can be used in foundations, rooflines, on the porch under outdoor light.
• Lights should be turned off in the night to restrict the entry of the male Wood roaches since they are attracted to light.
• Firewood should be kept away from your house and must be taken inside your home only when you need to burn it.
• Don’t let leaves get piled up around your house and move them away from your house.

 

Eliminate Wood Roaches with Professional Pest Control

Now that we’ve discussed the alternatives to eliminate and repel Pennsylvania wood roaches, it is essential to note that these solutions may not necessarily work in the case of a full-fledge roach infestation.

This is where a licensed exterminator comes into the picture! To know more about this, fill the below-mentioned form to get free multiple quotes from the professional Pest Control Companies in your vicinity so that you can decide which one to hire for your infestation problem.

And don’t worry, all the information that you mention here is 100% safe! Also, by filling the form, at least you’ll know how much you will have to pay if you take the help of your local exterminators.

Final Words

Very few insects in the world are more detested than cockroaches.

They are small and can fit anywhere looking for food, water, and warmth.

And if you notice even one roach in your house, then within weeks, they can multiply into hundreds with babies and eggs living in dark corners of your home.

That’s why it’s so essential to immediately take preventive measures in order to control and eliminate this problem before it turns into an infestation.

Pennsylvania Wood roaches may not be a threat to your family, but an infestation is the last thing you want in your home.

So be vigilant and take instant action in case you see these pesky bugs crawling around.

Have a good day!