Florida Woods Cockroach

The Florida woods cockroach is one of the largest cockroaches you are likely to see. Many people assume large insects stay outdoors, but this species can turn up both inside and outside the home, crawling out of a bathtub drain, running across the kitchen or hiding among the plants in your garden.

It is not an easy pest to deal with, and its size alone makes it alarming to many people. Here is what you need to know about how it looks, how it lives, and how to keep it out of your home.

What Does a Florida Woods Cockroach Look Like?

This species grows to about 1.5 inches (38 mm) long and 1 inch (25 mm) wide. It is reddish-brown to black. Unlike many other cockroaches, it does not have full wings; its short wing pads make it look wingless. Because of its large size, it moves relatively slowly compared with other species.

Florida Woods Cockroach Life Cycle

The female produces an egg capsule (ootheca) roughly every eight days. The eggs take about 48–50 days to hatch, and the nymphs go through several molts before becoming adults that are ready to breed and repeat the cycle.

What Do Florida Woods Cockroaches Eat?

They feed mainly on plant material, especially dead or decaying vegetation. They prefer moist environments where they can feed on leaves, bark and soil microbes, and they shelter in protected places such as under loose bark, in tree stumps, in hollow logs and in dense, shaded shrubs.

Why Do Florida Woods Cockroaches Come Indoors?

These cockroaches are attracted to decaying plant matter and rarely come indoors on purpose. However, their natural habitat is often close to homes, in leaf litter or mulch, so they may wander inside through cracks and gaps around doors and other openings. They can also be carried in on bags, second-hand wooden furniture or firewood.

What Problems Do Florida Woods Cockroaches Cause?

They do not damage buildings or furniture. When disturbed, however, they release a foul-smelling defensive chemical that can irritate the skin and eyes. Like other cockroaches, they can contaminate dishes, utensils and food, and their droppings contain pheromones that attract other cockroaches. Some people are also allergic to them, with symptoms such as skin rashes, asthma, itchy eyes and a sore throat.

What Are the Signs of an Infestation?

Florida woods cockroaches are usually found outdoors in warm, damp places such as under leaf piles, in mulch or near trees. If they get inside, their size makes them fairly easy to spot, and they look for dark, warm, humid areas such as basements and bathrooms. Common signs include:

• Seeing large cockroaches in dark areas of the home.
• Finding egg capsules, since this species breeds actively.
• Seeing cockroaches outside under leaves and woodpiles, which suggests a nearby population.

How Can I Get Rid of Florida Woods Cockroaches?

Here are some practical tips for keeping these cockroaches out of your home:

• Reduce food sources by removing garbage, paper and debris around the home, and clean up spills and food scraps regularly.
• Seal cracks and openings, and make sure windows have tight-fitting screens.
• Inspect anything you bring into the home for cockroaches or other insects.
• Fix leaking pipes and faucets, and do not let water collect in the kitchen, bathroom or on floors.
• Remove sources of moisture and fix drainage problems.
• Reduce clutter and get rid of items you no longer use.
• Move wooden furniture and firewood away from the house, since this species likes to hide in wood.
• Remove rocks and debris around the home where cockroaches can shelter.
• Switch off unnecessary outdoor lights at night.
• Use professional baits indoors and outdoors in places such as behind appliances, under sinks and in the kitchen.

There is no insecticide designed specifically for Florida woods cockroaches, so a professional assessment makes treatment far more effective. If you are dealing with an infestation, Safeguard’s cockroach control experts can identify the species, locate where they are hiding and eliminate them safely and effectively.