Infestations of roaches come in all shapes and sizes, and in some cases, these happen entirely by accident. While most Turkestan cockroaches prefer to live outdoors, it’s relatively easy to see how such incidents can occur, especially with males attracted to lights.
The Turkestan cockroach is a pest of many names, ranging from the rusty red to the red runner cockroach, or for those who enjoy saying all of those combined, the rusty red cockroach. Their claim to fame lies in their brownish orange to dark black coloring, varying slightly between the genders.
However, this article helps you learn about these creatures, like where they live, what they like to eat, and what you should do if an infestation occurs. If you wish to know more, we encourage you to continue reading!
What Are Turkestan Cockroaches?
Turkestan cockroaches, Blatta lateralis, often referred to as Shelfordella lateralis, are a species of roach that is notably dark brown to black, with their origins primarily centered in the Middle East and Northeastern Africa.
Despite them coming from the Middle East, like most cockroaches, this invasive species arrived on foreign soil via transport boats hundreds of years ago. They have been taking up residency in leaf litter, electrical boxes, and potted plants ever since.
The invasive Turkestan cockroach measures up to about one inch in size and features cream-colored markings along its body, and cream-colored markings also appear on its head. The species’ females are darker than males, appearing black at times.
Where Do Turkestan Cockroaches Live?
Turkestan cockroaches live outside and prefer being in moist environments like all roaches. However, they can be brought into homes by accident when they inhabit potted plants that are brought in or wander in when a door or window is left open for too long.
These roaches crowd up in compost piles, seeking refuge and food in the decaying plant matter. They double down on housing and food in compost piles, making them optimal accommodations for this species and other roaches.
The species typically live outdoors, but if you aren’t keen in your efforts to seal cracks in your home, you may find yourself face-to-face with one of these dark brown roaches, and if you happen to notice an egg, or if the roach is dark brown to black, you may have encountered a female of the species.
Read More: Cockroaches Outside My House At Night
The Turkestan Cockroach Diet
The diet of a Turkestan cockroach is robust, like most other roaches, with the Turkestan cockroach focusing primarily on vegetation but not shying away from decomposing insects, garbage, or compost if given the opportunity.
Like all cockroaches, the Turkestan cockroach is a scavenger by nature, and as such, it will eat just about anything to survive. You can tackle them easily by cutting off their primary food sources, which typically means getting your yard back in order.
Life Cycle of the Turkestan Cockroach
The rusty red cockroach has concise developmental stages, with these periods being so small they can completely encompass their closest environmental competition, the Oriental roach. They reproduce faster and have exponentially larger batches of young than the Oriental roach, causing them to dwarf them in no time.
According to the Journal of Economic Entomology, the average Turkestan cockroach will reach fall maturity in 222 days and have an average lifespan of 612 days. Assuming nothing befalls them before then, and they can go through all their developmental stages, it is easy to see how they would outpace oriental roaches with superior reproduction rates.
How to Get Rid of Turkestan Cockroaches
Dealing with a Turkestan cockroach infestation is just as simple as dealing with any other cockroach. The biggest way you can do that would be thoroughly disposing of their food sources, such as leaf litter and compost piles, and preventing them from settling in nooks and crannies.
The Turkestan cockroach is similar to oriental cockroaches for various reasons. Still, the best way to get rid of cockroaches would be to contact a pest management professional and get advice on pest control options available in your area. Most invasions are due to changes you need to make outside your home, and a professional will devise a plan of action.
You are much less likely to have a female Turkestan cockroach than a male because males are more attracted to the lights outside your home, thus, more likely to wander inside. In such cases, your best way to deal with a Turkestan cockroach infestation is to do so before it happens.
Final Thoughts
Owning pet reptiles could be considered an active defense against them, as in most cases, the Turkestan cockroach happens to be one of their favorite snacks. Still, if you don’t like that idea, reaching out to a professional might be your best bet for ridding your home of these pests.
