Wood Roach vs Cockroach
As we all know, there are 4500 cockroach species out there. However, there are only a few we know and see often. Whenever you spot a cockroach roaming around your home, panic settles in. It also makes you wonder, “Do I have an infestation?”. These monstrous brown bugs infesting your home afflict your thoughts and are enough to give anyone nightmares. You might have heard about Oriental cockroaches, American cockroaches, German cockroaches, etc., every now and then, but do you often hear about wood roaches? Are they the same as other cockroaches? Well, we are about to find out.
While wood roaches and German cockroaches are generally grouped into the same category, they are distinct in terms of destruction and numbers in a home. Wood cockroaches are common outdoor/indoor dwelling insects born in North America and found throughout Ontario. Their usual habitat is damp woodland areas in Ontario’s cottage country.
The German cockroach is one of the world’s most common and prominent creatures. These insects are commonly found in eateries, food processing facilities, hotels, nursing homes, apartment buildings, residential homes, etc. We have mentioned a few differences between a wood roach and a cockroach to ensure you identify easily.
Also, if you are interested to know if these teeny-tiny creatures makes noise – visit here.
Wood Roach vs Cockroach
Let’s learn more about wood roach vs cockroach – their similarities, traits, and differences.
- Breeding. Wood roaches make their breeding grounds inside loose bark or wood piles. They also have a distinct mating season between May and June. Whereas a typical cockroach usually finds shelter in your home’s sewers, garbage, and moist and dark areas. If wood roaches find their way into your home, they’ll react differently to cockroaches.
- Light Sensitivity. Wood roaches are attracted to light and happy to forage during the day. They might get startled if a light flickers on short, but they won’t actively sneak away due to sunlight or artificial light. On the other hand, cockroaches love dwelling in dark places.
Wood Cockroach
Wood cockroaches are identical in appearance to the typical household cockroach called the American roach, with flat, oval bodies, long antennae, spiny legs, and chestnut brown color. However, wood roaches are a little smaller, about 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long, and the adults, especially the males. They seem tan because of the color of their wings. Adults and large nymphs of the wood roach can be identified by a pale, creamy white, or translucent line on the outer edge of the thorax. The pale edge spreads onto the first 1/3 of the front wings of the adults. Identification of small nymphs is more complicated and usually requires microscopic analysis.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is a small species of cockroach, estimated about 1.3 cm (0.51 in) to 1.6 cm (0.63 in) long. Nevertheless, they are known to get slightly more significant. It can be tan, brown to almost black and has two dark parallel lines running from the head to the base of the wings. Although it has wings, it is incapable of sustaining flight.
How to Get Rid Of Wood Roach vs Cockroach?
Wood Cockroaches– In most circumstances, having a wood roach in your home is innocuous and can be easily treated and contained. Outdoor and indoor treatments around windows and doors, along the foundation, and proper crack and gap treatments inside will help reduce wood roach numbers. A few DIY tricks have proven successful in some cases, but professional pest services are more effective.
German Cockroaches- While there are many different approaches to controlling these pests – from gel-style crack and crevice baits to insecticide specks of dust, sprays, and rinsing agents, proper Integrated Pest Management Practices are essential in controlling and handling these pests.
If you have an infestation or think you may have an infestation, you can count on the professional technicians at Environmental Pest Control.
Wrapping Up!
We hope the blog – wood roach vs cockroach – helped you with information on how to identify a wood roach if you have any at home and get rid of them. Also, If you have any doubts, feel free to let us know in the comment. Don’t forget to share with your loved ones. Stay healthy and tuned for the upcoming blog. If you have an infestation or think you may have an infestation, you can count on the professional technicians at Environmental Pest Control.
Q1. How Can You Tell a Wood Roach?
Ans. Wood roaches have a flat oval bodies, long antennae, and spiny legs. They are a bit smaller than the American cockroach and are of chestnut brown color.
Q2. Can Wood Roaches Hurt You?
Ans. Wood roaches are harmless. Still, you must ensure that your home is pest-free to live healthy.
Q3. Are Wood Roaches Dirty?
Ans. Wood roaches do not contaminate your food. However, like any other pest, they must be dealt with on priority.
Q4. Do Wood Roaches Come Out at Night?
Ans. Wood roaches are nocturnal. Hence, they are usually active at night. They are found in decaying organic materials such as fallen logs, tree stumps, etc.
