Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach Page Header

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

  • Scientific Name: Parcoblatta pensylvanica
  • Nicknames: Not Applicable
  • Length: 7/8" - 1 1/8"
  • Color: Golden Brown
  • Aggressive? No
  • Do They Bite? No
  • Poisonous/Venomous? No
  • Disease Carrying? No
  • Invasive Species? No

The Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

The Pennsylvania wood cockroach is most commonly sighted species probaly due to its behavior. Males are usually found on trunks of larger trees, while females can be found on the ground as well as on trees. This cockroaches male and female counterparts are so distinctly different in size that they were once thought to be two different species. They are usually found in hollow trees, under loose bark, and often in wood piles.

Males do fly and fly swiftly, but cannot sustain themselves in the air for long periods of time. In rural areas where homes are surrounded by trees or are near woodlines these cockraoches are often very common invaders to the home.

In Indiana nymphs hatch in summer and mature the following May or June. In some cases the life cycle may take up to two years. Although most cockroach species are repelled by light the Pennsylvania wood is actually attracted to light which is what brings the species into our homes at night. They don't commonly infest structures, but have been found surviving under shingles and in firewood.

Living Spaces

Mature Trees

Diet Choices

Varies but prefers sweet foods

Fun Fact

Males can fly!

How Do We Remove Them?

Once you give McMahon Exterminating a call in Evansville, Indiana we will bring a trained technician out to discover the issue and infestation, identify and develop a unique solution to your problem as every home and infestation is unique as some might require different or more intensive methods depending on the severity and location. Typically it involves an exterior perimeter treatments along with treatment around mature trees as well.

It is important to remember when dealing with infestations near the home that one simple treatment will most likely not solve the issue in a lot of cases, instead we will need to asses and monitor the situation as it evolves, because ants might find newer entry points or might be resilient depending on the type of ant we are dealing. With McMahon's C.A.N. initiative and our three easy steps — Canvas the area, Act on those results, and Negate re-entry for the pest.