Smokybrown Cockroach

Actual Size: 1 to 1.5”

Characteristics: Uniform shiny mahogany brown

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes, and both males and females can fly.

Habitat: Often found in crawl spaces or basements within properties.

Habits:

Require moisture for survival.
Adults can fly, particularly on evenings that are warm and humid.
May invade structures, but will not live long due to dehydration.

Smokybrown Cockroaches in Florida

The smokybrown cockroach is found throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast, Florida, and some parts of California. It is considered a tropical urban pest and is often found outside in planter boxes, decorative plants, garages, wood piles, and water meter boxes. Sometimes they are found in municipal sewers or homes. When invading homes, they usually search for refuge in kitchens, bathrooms, or attics. They are known to spread bacteria where they travel and can fly, particularly on warm humid evenings.

Smokybrown Cockroach Habitat

Moisture is required for smokeybrown cockroaches to survive, so they often live in wood piles, leaf litter, mulch, and tree bark. These locations will help prevent them from drying out. When they invade indoors, they gravitate towards the upper parts of a building, but will also live on siding or under shingles. They prefer rooms with moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and around entry points like garages and crawl spaces. During the summer months, they may live in shrubs, trees, or other vegetation.

Smokybrown Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Smokybrown cockroaches prefer to live outdoors, but can still invade homes or structures, especially when the environment is humid. They are known to live in a variety of dirty areas, including storm drains, sewers, and piles of dead leaves, and will even consume bird droppings. With this in mind, their entry to your home will be accompanied by harmful bacteria that may contaminate cooking and eating surfaces. These cockroaches also have skin and droppings that can cause allergic reactions in some people. If the indoor environment is dry, the cockroach will rarely survive since there is not enough moisture. Contacting a professional cockroach exterminator is recommended if you have an ongoing smokybrown cockroach problem.