There are an estimated 4,500 cockroach species worldwide, all of which look somewhat alike. However, the Pennsylvanian wood roach is different from other cockroaches.
The wood roach is less troublesome as it spends its time outdoors.
Unlike the German cockroach or American cockroach that can infest your home and stay there, the wood roaches only enter homes by chance. Besides, these roaches prefer highly humid areas, and human homes are less welcoming for them.
However, to control an infestation, you must learn to recognize the differences they have, so you can choose the best control methods.
Continue reading this article to learn more about wood roach vs cockroach.
Wood Roach vs Cockroach
To the untrained eye, wood roaches might seem similar to German, American, or smoky brown cockroaches. However, there are some significant differences between wood roaches and other standard cockroaches
Similarly, you might come across one of the different wood cockroach species, including the Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Western wood roach.
One main difference you will notice is that the wood roaches have a dark and tan-colored texture.
In addition, the wood cockroach is different from other roaches in terms of the following:
Habitation
Wood roaches prefer living in moist environments and are primarily accidental home invaders.
The Pennsylvania wood roach can also be found in wet mulch, in gutters clogged with leaves, under loose wood sidings, and in firewood piles.
Also, if wood cockroaches enter your home, be sure that they won’t stay for long. If they get the chance, they will run back to the wild where they belong.
However, when there is no escape route, these roaches will eventually die due to low humidity and starvation.
Read More: Diet and Lifespan: How Long Can Roaches Live Without Food?
Appearance
A wood roach appears to be more similar to an American cockroach than other species. It has a flat, oval body, spiny legs, long antennae, and a chestnut brown color.
Male wood roaches appear tan due to the color of their wings. The adults and big nymphs can be identified by a pale, creamy white or transparent stripe on their outer body edge.
In adults, the white stripe extends onto the first third of the anterior wings.
Size
Overall, Pennsylvania wood roaches are smaller than the American roach, measuring about ¾ to 1 inch in length.
The Pennsylvania wood roach exhibits sexual dimorphism, a difference in appearance depending on gender. This affects the size of individual roaches.
The male wood roach can grow up to 1 inch, while the female grows only to 0.75 inches. Moreover, the males have longer functioning wings that go beyond their body lengths.
On the other hand, female wood roaches have shrunken, non-functional wings. Unlike the males, who are capable fliers, the females cannot fly.
Breeding
Unlike other roaches that can mate anytime, as long as they are mature, wood cockroaches have a specific time of the year to mate (May to June).
Besides, they make their breeding grounds and nests inside piles of wood or in loose bark and under tree branches. It is, therefore, impossible for them to breed in your home.
Read More: How Fast Do Cockroaches Reproduce?
Life Cycle
The Pennsylvania wood roach has a life cycle consisting of egg, nymph, and adult stages. During the warm months, the adult female wood roaches lay their eggs encased in an egg capsule.
The female then carries the capsule on her abdomen for some time until she finds a safe and moist place to deposit it.
After around 34 days, the eggs will hatch into wingless nymphs that look like tiny versions of the adult wood roach. The nymphs will stay protected and hidden in loose tree backs and later molt into adults, a process that can take at least one year.
As the baby wood roaches grow, they slowly shed and regrow their exoskeleton, and once they reach maturity, they will live for a few months before dying.
In addition, it is vital to note that wood roaches take at least one year to complete their life cycle.
Behavior
Common roaches usually rush to hide as soon as light falls upon them. However, this is not the case for wood roaches.
Unlike the German, American, or smokybrown cockroaches that will run when the lights are turned on, the wood roach continues to fly around outside and probably infest the areas with more light.
Additionally, unlike most roaches, a Pennsylvania wood roach will keep crawling even when encountered by a human being. This makes it very easy to kill them.
Diet
Wood roaches do not pose any threat to humans; they don’t carry disease-causing germs and do not bite or sting.
Unlike other cockroaches that eat anything, wood cockroaches prefer to feed on decaying organic matter like rotting tree leaves and rotting vegetables.
Besides, wood roaches play a vital role in the ecosystem when it comes to decomposition. If they didn’t exist, dead plants would gather and make the world messy.
Are Wood Roaches Similar to Other Cockroaches?
No, wood roaches are not similar to other roaches that infest homes. While all roaches belong to the Blattodea order, they diverge in terms of families.
Home-invading roaches like the American, German, Oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches belong to the Blattidae family.
On the other hand, wood roaches come from the Ectobiidae family. In total, there are seven different roach families.
Apart from having the same design, roaches evolved differently. Some are well adapted to survive in harsh climates, eat anything and live anywhere.
The Blattidae family, which comprises the home invading roaches like the German cockroach and American cockroach, targets homes in search of water, food, and shelter.
Conversely, species from the Ectobiidae family, like the Pennsylvania wood roach, tend to stay away from humans and survive in particular areas in the wild.
Besides, these wood roaches prefer to live outdoors and can be found in wood and feed on rotting plant matter.
How to Prevent a Wood Roach Infestation
Wood roaches hardly infest homes; these creatures are not attracted by food debris or clutter. However, some might accidentally find their way into your home.
While wood roaches are not as troublesome as the American and German roaches, they must be kept at bay. Try the following tips to keep wood roaches away from your home.
Seal Any Cracks
Just like other roach species, wood cockroach species usually find a chance to get into your home through cracks and openings around your house.
Therefore, ensure there are no gaps or cracks in your walls, doors, and windows. Caulk the cracks or use wood to fill the gaps.
Don’t Bring Firewood Into Your Home
As their name indicates, wood roaches are attracted to wood and will not hesitate to live in wood piles in your home.
That said, it will be best to keep all firewood away or use it to make sure no wood roaches will live there.
Turn Off Unnecessary Lights
Wood roaches are attracted to lit areas, especially during their mating seasons. Therefore, turn off any unnecessary likes like yard lights and porch lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Wood Roaches Fly?
Yes, wood roaches fly. However, only male wood roaches can fly because they have a pair of fully developed wings that extend beyond their body lengths.
Are Wood Roaches Dangerous?
No, wood roaches are not dangerous. If they enter your home, they will not nest or infest it. Besides, they will not damage your belongings.
They don’t also carry pathogens as they don’t feed on filth like other cockroach species.
When Are Wood Roaches Most Active?
Wood roaches are most active during the cold months of winter. However, during their mating seasons, from May to June, the male wood roaches fly around a lot and can become a bother.
Additionally, most accidental invasions happen during these mating periods.
What Do Wood Roaches Eat?
Wood roaches eat rotting organic matter like decaying timber, rotting leaves, and vegetables. When indoors, these roaches will starve and die due to the low humidity levels.
Can Pennsylvania Wood Roaches Come Inside?
No, Pennsylvania wood roaches cannot come inside your home. They prefer to live outdoors under loose tree barks, in wood piles, and in ground litter. However, you might accidentally bring them into your home inside firewood.
