What attracts brown-banded cockroaches?

I’m seeing small brown roaches in my house. Are they brown-banded cockroaches? What’s attracting them?

First, let’s check whether they are brown-banded cockroaches. Brown-banded cockroaches are small, usually about one-half an inch long, with light brown bodies and two pale bands across their wings and abdomen. These bands are visible on both adults and nymphs, which helps set them apart from other roaches you might see in the home. Adults have wings, while brown-banded roach nymphs are wingless and darker, but the banding is still noticeable.

Why do I have brown-banded cockroaches?

Now let’s turn to what attracts these pests. Brown-banded cockroaches search for warm, dry places, which is why they often show up in higher spots like cabinets or closets, or behind appliances. They are drawn to steady heat from electronics and prefer areas where they can hide in small cracks. They often hitchhike indoors on infested items, and thrive in hidden spaces where they can find organic materials to eat.

Moisture is less important to brown-banded roaches than to other species, so they often spread into living rooms and bedrooms instead of staying near sinks or bathrooms. 

Are brown-banded cockroaches bad?

Brown-banded cockroaches can become a problem because they reproduce quickly. As well as being unpleasant, they can spread bacteria as they move through food areas and storage spaces. Contact us for cockroach control if you are seeing roaches at home.