The Roach that is not considered a Pest.

Normally when one's thoughts turn to cockroaches, our minds concentrate on filth and potential pathogens and disease. Today's article includes a species of cockroach that is the exception to filth and disease in the world of cockroaches. As a rule, roaches that live outdoors, and there are a large variety in Indiana, are not filth roaches. The perfect example is the wood roach. The Pennsylvania Wood Roach is the exception to the "nasty rule" with roaches. The usual habitat of a wood roach gives us clues as to why this species is not a species that lives in and depends on filth for survival. This "outdoorsy" insect does not survive well inside a home. It does not feed on foods that may be shared with humans. Filth roaches like the German, Oriental, and Brown-Banded roaches like to eat what we do including filth and debris. In doing so they can transmit bacteria, pathogens, and disease. Knowing this information one can see why filth roaches can be a potentially dangerous situation in your home or food service areas. The habitat for the Pennsylvania wood roach is normally close to wooded areas including woodpiles or areas with leaf or grass litter or clutter around the house or buildings. This type of roach has no interest in eating what humans eat. They do not feed on filth but instead feed on bacteria and fungus produced from organic material that provides all they need to survive. If a wood roach is found inside the home (except for just not liking bugs,) there is no fear of contamination or the population getting out of control. The wood roach is not considered a pest. The reason this type of roach is found inside the home is because it is drawn to outdoor lighting. Just as other insects are drawn to light, the male Pennsylvania wood roach is drawn in as part of their mating process. In most cases of finding a wood roach inside your home, treatment inside the home is not needed. Exterior perimeter treatments can be helpful along with sealing entry points, trimming foliage around the home, and regulating outdoor lighting.