Tree Roaches usually share the stigma that all roaches are commonly attributed with, and as such, they are seen in the same view as traditional roaches. However, this categorization has led to a high level of misconception about tree roaches, and humans usually try to get rid of them the wrong way. The fact is that trying to get rid of trees roaches with the traditional roach pesticides would barely yield the desired result. Most times, you will need to get a specified and proven roach adherent or killer to get rid of tree roaches successfully.
Tree roaches generally look like traditional cockroaches, and it is easy for you to see them as the same as normal roaches. However, the inability to differentiate them has a downside, and one of them is attempting to eliminate them from your home. Tree roaches are naturally resistant to the usual cockroach killer pesticides, and fighting them off with any of your over-the-counter products is more or less a waste of time.
Fortunately, this article will provide comprehensive detail on these types of cockroaches to fully understand what they are and the threat they pose. You will also know how to identify them and how to get rid of them.
While all cockroaches look the same to untrained eyes, the reality is that there are more than 4500 species of cockroaches, with WHO Trusted Source Unhygienic scavengers in human settlements Cockroaches are among the most common pests in many homes and other buildings. At night they search for food in kitchens, food storage places, rubbish bins, drains and sewers. They are pests because of their filthy habits and bad smell. Some people may become allergic to cockroaches after frequent exposure. Cockroaches can sometimes play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera. www.who.int attesting that they all have the same features. Nevertheless, tree roaches are unique in their way and have differing traits from traditional cockroaches.
As the name goes, Tree cockroaches generally prefer to live outdoor and build their home in trees and woods. However, that does not mean that they have a problem sneaking into homes, though most times this happens by mistake. Like other roaches, once tree roaches get into a house, they try to nest and breed. They need a level of high humidity, so they would prefer ventilated areas when in your home. Once in your house, tree roaches can easily spread and may eventually adapt to make it a permanent residence.
Unlike traditional cockroaches’ dark brown or red, tree roaches are generally chestnut brown, and an adult generally grows to up to 1.25 inches. They are flat and oval-shaped, have spiny legs, and are known for their long antennae. The giveaway feature, however, is their color. Tree roaches majorly breed and reside in North America.
Tree roach is the most popular term for identifying roaches that live and breed in trees. However, wood cockroaches (wood roaches) have also been used to identify tree cockroaches. Both terms have, in some instances, confused as some people believe that tree roaches and wood roaches are quite different while others believe that they are the same.
Tree roaches and Wood roaches are generally the same, and the only difference between the two is the choice of names. From all identification by scholarly publication, wood roaches, and tree roaches have the same characteristics, identifications, and habitats. Hence the difference between the two is simply the names.
In attempting to identify tree roaches, there are certain factors to consider as identifying them with the general roaches’ characteristics won’t do a lot of good. This section will consider these factors to help you identify them and, more importantly, know what to use to get rid of them.
The peak size of an adult tree roach is generally between 3/4 inches and 1.25 inches. A tree roach is smaller than the average cockroach.
The tree roach is generally a beige or chestnut brown color. It has a flat, oval-shaped body, spiny legs, and long antennae. A wood roach can be easily confused for the American, German, or thick brown cockroaches, but their size and habitats generally give them away.
The male is known to have wings, while the female is wingless. The male wings make their brown color look more tanned. The female and male have stripes (translucent) on the outside of their thorax. The male also has these stripes on their wings.
Tree roaches are natives of North America and preferably live in Trees and wood outdoors. They prefer humidity and have no problem spending all their lives in a tree. According to the Michigan State University Trusted Source Wood cockroach - Plant & Pest Diagnostics Wood cockroaches include a number of species of Parcoblatta of which the Pennsylvania woods cockroach is the most common. Wood cockroaches are the only group of cockroaches that occur in Michigan that were not introduced from some other county. Wood cockroaches are usually only occasional invaders of homes and rarely breed indoors. They are usually either carried in with firewood or attracted by outdoor lights. Only males are known to fly and are most troublesome during the mating season (May & June) when they travel in large numbers. www.canr.msu.edu , Tree roaches are not exactly keen on breeding indoors and only get into homes mistakenly when attracted by lights, picked with firewoods, or have their homes close to windows. However, when inside homes, they won’t decline an invitation and breed if the environment is suitable.
Tree Roaches have unique adjustments and intolerance that make them different from the traditional cockroaches. Unlike traditional roaches that stay away from lights, tree roaches love and generally fly towards them. Their attraction to lights is why they easily leave their normal homes in woods and trees and settle in human dwellings. Therefore, it is easy to find a wandering roach carrying its activity in your home day or night.
Another behavior to notice about tree roach is that they do not scurry away in fright when approached as they do not know that human poses a danger due to their lack of interactions in the woods.
Tree roach is largely resistant to most traditional cockroach repellents, though there are special powders that can get rid of them and make them get to give up breeding in your home.
Tree roaches do not attack furniture inside the home and are mostly a mere nuisance that breeds quickly. They prefer to eat decaying matter like leaf litter and rotten trees. However, it is important to note that they could turn to human food if they can’t get their preferred food.
Tree roaches are more popular in North America than anywhere else. They are often cited in the United States, with their popularity peaking in Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities. The adult tree roach looks like the American Roaches but lives in the woods and trees. Tree roaches’ interaction with humans is usually due to proximity between trees and houses.
Tree roaches are generally termed accidental invaders as they usually do not deliberately enter a house for breeding purposes. These roaches prefer to live outside and will rather not have any interaction with humans. However, due to human activities with woods and other circumstances, tree roaches may find themselves in homes.
When picking woods, you may accidentally pick roaches along, which is one of the most popular ways they invade homes. Tree roaches’ attraction t lights is also another factor as they could fly towards bulbs in verandas or inside the house. Once in, they may decide to settle or may find a way to get out eventually. Most do not leave, though, and could start breeding.
The proximity of houses to trees and vegetation areas is the most common cause of tree roach house invasion.
Once inside the home, tree roaches pose the same problem as traditional roaches. They are extremely difficult to get rid of as they breed quickly, and the fact that they are resistant to most repellents that work for traditional roaches do not help matters. However, several effective solutions can be put in place to get rid of these insects’ overtime. Here are some of the major solutions to getting rid of tree roaches.
Tree roaches thrive indoors by hiding, and a cluttered environment readily provides that option for them. You will need to get rid of cluttered areas in your homes, especially in shelves and areas that barely get human activity. You should get rid of old newspapers, old clothes, and unnecessarily jam-packed spots.
Most times, when removing the cluttered, you may find tree roaches and other insects pouring out of the hideouts.
Tree Roaches, like other small insects and pests, like to hide inside holes and cracks. This survival strategy helps them on two fronts as it serves as a breeding spot for them and also helps them reduce the effect of the average over-the-counter roach repellents. Therefore, you will need to seal up all holes to get rid of their breeding spots and limit their hideout options.
Baits are one of the best ways to eradicate tree roaches as they provide an attraction that other options do not have. Tree roaches may likely not fall for another eradication method, but baits are highly difficult to escape. For example, the InTice 10 Perimeter Insect Control Bait Granules is one of the best tree roaches baits with an attractive food smell that kills tree roaches and other insects such as crickets, Sowbugs, Pillbugs, Silverfish, Earwigs, Ants, and Millipedes. A single application of 1 pound can effectively get rid of insects and pests.
Repellents can also get rid of tree roaches. Just like wasp sprays, there are special tree roach repellents that not only make your home uncomfortable for these resilient pests but also kill them. These sprays contain special ingredients that break down the natural resilience of tree roaches to the usual over-the-counter pesticides. When sprayed, they can eradicate tree roaches within several days.
Special cockroach dust is also very effective for eradicating tree roaches. You can apply them just like sprays for the same effect. Roaches dust have the advantage of less smell to sprays and may be the preferable option if you have kids or you have a family member sensitive to smell. However, to get the desired effect on tree roaches, you must use powerful cockroach dust that can break down roaches’ resistance.
The Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide Dust is one of the proven tree roach repellents that break down these pests’ resistance, kill them and chase the survivors out of your home. According to the reviews of people who have used this product, it is also effective in eliminating traditional roaches and most undesirable home invaders such as Bed bugs, Silverfish, Termites, Centipedes, Ground Beetles, etc. millipedes.
Traps still work and can readily be the more desirable option if you cannot get effective sprays and dust products that kill tree roaches. While it may seem like a very traditional approach, there are new innovative roaches traps that you can use to control the infestation when it is just coming up.
There are sticky traps and a range of other options that serve as very effective options.
Repairing leaks and replacing worn-out screens are also very effective options for getting rid of tree roaches. They serve as preventive and treatment measures as they effectively end breeding and sustenance spots for tree roaches and other insects.
Tree roach generally feeds on decaying matters and would only opt for human food if not found. With proper health and environmental awareness, you can prevent tree roaches from getting access to these foods choices and cut their means of sustenance.
When you focus on cleaning and organization of your house, tree roaches would eventually get bored and hungry due to lack of sustenance. This would force them to seek food and refuge from the more desirable outdoor environment where they naturally thrive.
Getting rid of tree roaches requires using the best processes and solutions. Like traditional roaches, tree roaches are extremely resistant, and it usually takes more than the usual treatment measures to eradicate them. However, they are not invincible, and their invasion of your home can be short-lived even if total prevention is not possible, especially when you live in areas with lots of trees and woods. This article has outlined some useful solutions to identify roaches and the best treatments to get for full eradication.
Baits, sprays, and dusts are the most popular treatment options, but you will need to get top-quality products of these categories to get the desired results. Some of the suggestions in this article are proven to be very effective for tree roach eradication, and you can easily get them by placing an order. Apart from sprays and dusts, other proactive measures can also work for them. However, In the end, the real solution to tree roach is by implementing both preventive and eradication measures.
