Wood Roaches
HarmlessWhat it is
Outdoor cockroaches associated with leaf litter, logs, firewood, and wooded habitats. Males may fly to lights and enter buildings, but most species do not establish persistent indoor infestations.
How to recognize it
Brownish roaches about an inch or less found around woodpiles and leaf litter. Males fly to lights.
Where you will find it
Outdoors in leaf litter, logs, firewood, and under bark.
Why it matters
They rarely breed indoors, but they come in with firewood and through gaps, especially near lights at night.
What to do
- Clean up food crumbs and grease, wash dishes promptly, and store food, including pet food, in airtight containers.
- Wipe up standing water and report leaky pipes or damp areas.
- Note and photograph where you see roaches, such as near drains, behind appliances, or under sinks.
- Contact a licensed pest professional before trying any home remedy. Store-bought products can scatter roaches and make professional treatment harder.
When to call a professional
- You see more than one roach, especially young ones, which suggests breeding nearby.
- Roaches appear during the day or in several rooms.
- Anyone has asthma or allergies, or you manage a food business.
Related reading
Related pests
American Roaches
Large reddish-brown cockroaches that favor warm, damp areas such as sewers, basements, boiler rooms, commercial kitchens, and utility spaces. They can travel long distances through drains and service lines.
Read more →Brown-Banded Roaches
Small cockroaches with pale bands across the wings or abdomen. They prefer warmer, drier areas than German cockroaches and may infest upper cabinets, furniture, electronics, bedrooms, and offices.
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Cockroaches
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Read more →German Roaches
Small tan cockroaches with two dark stripes behind the head. They breed quickly in warm kitchens and bathrooms, can aggravate allergies and asthma, and are hard to clear without professional help.
Read more →This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Pests vary by region and situation, and an on-site inspection is the reliable way to know what you have.