Wood roaches in your home: How to get rid of them naturally and safely

Wood roaches are not something people want to see in the home. Though they are not as dangerous as a lot of other species of cockroach, they can also be a discomfort in the house. Roaches of these types are usually outdoors in damp, woodsy places, but sometimes they come inside looking for light. Wood roaches do not carry diseases, but some people can have allergic reactions to them, and they can make people feel uncomfortable when they enter homes.

There are a lot of advantages to getting rid of wood roaches naturally. Natural pest remedies are also generally safe for families and pets; in many cases, they don’t contain toxic chemicals that could pose a risk to health. These treatments are both effective and cheaper than chemical treatments. They also help to identify and eliminate the conditions that might lead to future infestations, such as sealing entry points and minimizing outdoor lighting.

MEET THE EXPERTS

• Dr. Coby Schal leads a prominent cockroach research program at North Carolina State University and discovered the first macrocyclic lactone sex-pheromone in cockroaches, while also advising on wood-roach management.
• Dr. Dominic A. Evangelista focuses on native Parcoblatta species, using genomic techniques and field ecology to explore species limits and responses to forest disturbances.

Wood Roach vs Cockroach

Wood roaches are a very distinct looking roach and they are not hard to identify at all when people know what they are looking for, other than the German or American roach.

Why Wood Roaches Enter Homes

There are a number of reasons why wood roaches come into the home, which are mainly due to their natural habits and seasons.

Attraction to Light

Male wood roaches are especially prone to light during their mating times. It is a natural mating ritual where males fly into the light to try to find females. The bright lights near or inside homes, including those from outdoor lamps or windows, can attract male wood roaches inside.

This attraction to light becomes more obvious during the warmer months when the roaches are particularly active. Though these cockroach species typically live in the outdoors surrounded by trees, artificial lighting will give a brief home visit.

Entry Points

Wood roaches enter homes from multiple entries.

• Gaps in doors: Even slight gaps under doors can leave an opening.
• Windows: Unsealed or open windows are a common way for roaches to get in.
• Foundations: Wood roaches can enter the house due to cracks in the foundation or around vents.
• Outdoor materials: Bringing in outdoor materials like firewood or any other objects can introduce roaches into the home as they might be hiding inside or around these items.

Wood Roach Infestation Signs

For wood roaches, it is important to identify the signs of an infestation early on to keep it from spreading and causing harm.

1. Physical Evidence

Wood roaches are usually found from the physical evidence that they create. These signs include:

• Droppings: Wood roach droppings are tiny, dark, capsule-like pellets. They are commonly located near where the roaches infest, such as behind appliances or dark corners killing the product. The droppings also give an indication that the roaches are close by and droppings can help determine the magnitude of the infestation.
• Egg Cases (Oothecae): Wood roaches deposit their eggs into oothecae, brown to tan-colored egg cases. These are usually found in protected areas like wall cracks, behind furniture and appliances. One of the capsules includes several eggs, indicating a possible infestation.
• Shed Skins: Growing wood roaches will cast off their shed skins. These discarded skins, or molts, are usually clustered around spots in which roaches tend to congregate. Even though they look like dead roaches, they are essentially just an indication of roaches growing and molting.

2. Behavioral Indicators

Wood roaches specifically are likely to display some visible signs of their existence in the home:

• Nocturnal Activity: Wood roaches are nocturnal insects, which means they are primarily active at night. If you see cockroaches darting around in dim light or darkness, you may be dealing with an infestation.
• Attraction to Light: Wood roaches are attracted to light. You may see them clustering near windows or lamps, or landing on light fixtures, especially at night. If you see roaches around light sources, you may be dealing with an infestation.

3. Common Hiding Spots

Wood roaches look for sanctuary in places where these three conditions are met and it is easy to avoid them. Common hiding spots include:

• Basements: Damp basements with little ventilation are perfect hiding places for wood cockroaches.
• Attics: Attic spaces are dark and relatively quiet areas where roaches can harbor and breed.
• Behind Appliances: People can frequently find roaches hiding behind the refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher, where they can easily hide and where people accidentally feed them by dropping food.
• Under Furniture: Roaches seek shelter beneath sofas and chairs, especially in dusty, disused areas.
• Cracks and Crevices: Wood roaches can enter through an opening in the walls, floors, near windows or doors.

How to Get Rid of Wood Roaches Naturally

There are several natural methods to effectively eliminate wood roaches without resorting to harmful chemicals.

1. Sanitation and Exclusion

Sanitation and exclusion are the first steps to getting rid of wood roaches naturally.

• Sealing Entry Points: Wood roaches come into the home through cracks and openings around doors, windows, and foundations. People can easily seal these openings using caulk or weatherstripping to keep them out. This easy solution prevents wood roaches from wandering into the home.

• Proper Firewood Storage: Wood roaches gain entry to the home via firewood. The bark of the firewood can harbor roaches, and large amounts brought inside will heighten the chances of an infestation. To prevent this, firewood should be kept away from the home, and overwintering stacks should not be stored inside unless totally unavoidable.

• Lighting Adjustments: Males of the wooden roach are light attracted at mating time. Limiting outdoor lighting during peak-activity hours can discourage roaches from being drawn to the home. Equally, having yellow or amber-coloured lights outside can also reduce the attraction, as these are less likely to attract insects.

2. Natural Repellents

Natural wood roach repellents are another effective way to keep wood roaches at bay without relying on chemicals.

• Essential Oils

Some of the best natural repellents for roaches are made from peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils. These oils have pungent odors that wood roaches do not like, and they do not go near these places. Alternatively, a homemade repellent can be created by combining a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle. This solution can also be sprayed around the home in roach prone areas like windows, doors, and baseboards. 

• Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an inert dust made from tiny ancient fossils. It kills bugs by dehydrating them including wood roaches. People can also sprinkle this food-grade diatomaceous earth in dry places (under the refrigerator, along baseboards, under cabinets, along the hinges of doors, etc.).

• Boric Acid

Boric acid is a natural substance that is toxic to roaches when they eat it. Boric acid combined with sugar makes a bait to lure roaches. The roaches consume the boric acid, and as a result, die. This is especially useful in places where roaches are active, i.e., under sinks, in kitchens or bathrooms.

• Garlic and Bay Leaves

Both garlic and bay leaves are natural roach repellants. Roaches detest the smell of crushed garlic; they also avoid the strong aroma of bay leaves. Crushed garlic and bay leaves can be put in roaches' hiding or passing places. Scattering some bay leaves in the pantry can also deter roaches from feasting on the food storage.

3. Physical Traps

Trapping is a good, natural way to catch and reduce wood roach numbers.

DIY Traps

These simple traps can be constructed with some basic household items.

1. An effective DIY trap includes bait (eg, a piece of food) in a jar or container.
2. Position the jar next to roach-infested areas and the scent will draw them in.
3. Roaches don't always leave the way they entered, which allows for capture and disposal.

It is a safe way to detect and kill a cockroach infestation.

Commercial Traps

Sticky traps are easy to find and a quick way to track and catch wood roaches. These traps feature a non-toxic adhesive that catches roaches as they travel over the surface.

1. Set a sticky trap in areas where people often pass or where roach activity is found.
2. Monitor the traps periodically and get rid of the roaches when caught to lower the number of roaches in the area.
3. Commercial traps enable the assessment of the severity of an infestation and identify some of the areas where roaches are significant.

Preventing Future Infestations

After having solved the wood roach problem, people can implement the following wood roach prevention tips to deter future invasions:

1. Regular Inspections

Homeowners should conduct periodic inspections to catch any early signs of wood roach activity. Areas to inspect include basements, attics, under appliances, and around windows. They should look for evidence such as droppings, egg cases, and shed skins. Regular checks help detect issues early and prevent them from escalating.

2. Maintain Cleanliness

The key to avoiding wood roaches is keeping the house clean. They are lured by bits of food, grease and spills, so homeowners should be diligent about keeping kitchen surfaces, dining areas and food storage areas clean. Attention should also be directed behind appliances for food particles. Food should also be kept in air-tight containers and trash cans should be tightly sealed and emptied on a regular basis.

3. Moisture Control

Wood roaches like moisture, so moisture control is essential. Homeowners should also repair any leaks in pipes, faucets and walls as soon as possible. Even tiny leaks can be the perfect breeding ground for roaches. It’s also essential that the area around the house provides proper drainage, so that standing water, a favorite of roaches, isn’t able to accumulate. Keep the home well-drained so water does not pool.

4. Yard Maintenance

Overgrown brush and yard debris attract wood roaches. Homeowners must prune plants, shrubs and trees around windows and doors. Clearing thick brush from around the home can help prevent roaches. Firewood and rubbish should be kept away from the house to avoid creating an environment for roaches.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most homeowners are able to keep their homes safe from wood roaches by using the natural methods described below, while some scenarios will require professional help.

Persistent Infestations

If home remedies don’t work (i.e., cleaning out the home, sealing up entryways, and using essentials), it might be time to contact a pest control service covering the wood. Consider professional help in the following cases:

• Natural Methods Fail: When home remedies have been proven ineffective and the problem is systemic.
• Larger Problem: A growing infestation that may require expertise to manage.
• Hidden Nesting Areas: If roaches are nesting in areas that require unique equipment or treatments, such as inside walls, pipes or other areas that are difficult to access.

Safe Pest Control Services

For homeowners who do not want to use chemical pesticides, it is crucial to find an eco-friendly pest control. However, keep the following in mind while choosing the pest control company:

• Eco-friendly Options: Find companies that use environmentally responsible, nontoxic methods, such as integrated pest management (IPM).
• Non-toxic Treatments: Choose a service that prioritizes natural or eco-friendly products that are non-toxic to kids, pets, and the earth.
• Expertise in Safe Solutions: Choose businesses such as Growcycle that are experienced in safe and green pest control methods.

Summary

Unlike other species of cockroaches, wood roaches are not a threat to human health, although they can be a nuisance if they get inside homes. Homeowners should, therefore, be on the lookout for droppings, egg cases and nocturnal activity to detect an infestation early. These natural methods include sealing cracks, maintaining a clean home, and using plant-based repellents, which are the most effective and safest ways of getting rid of wood roaches.

Growcycle provides a safe wood roach control solution without all of the harmful toxic chemicals. They are experts in delivering affordable and eco-friendly pest control, so homeowners will keep their homes pest-free while they continue to save the planet. 

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.