How to Get Rid of Smokybrown Cockroaches

Confirm you have smokybrown cockroaches

Correct identification matters, because the right fix for smokybrown cockroaches differs from the fix for their lookalikes. Adults measure 30–38 mm (up to about 1.5 in) and are usually brown and black. Look for these features:

• Shiny, uniformly dark brown body with no markings
• Strong flier that is attracted to lights
• Found in attics, gutters and mulch beds

They are most often confused with American cockroach and Oriental cockroach. See the full smokybrown cockroach profile for side-by-side details.

Why you have smokybrown cockroaches

Smokybrown Cockroaches come indoors looking for food, water, warmth or shelter. Gaps around doors, windows, pipes and utility lines give them easy ways in. Clutter, leaks and food left out let a small problem grow into an infestation. They are most active in summer and fall, so expect to see more of them then.

When you'll see smokybrown cockroaches

Smokybrown Cockroaches are most active in summer and fall. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.

Typical places to check: indoors, anywhere, yard or patio and trees or shrubs.

Step-by-step: getting rid of smokybrown cockroaches

Step 1: Clean gutters

Clean gutters and pull mulch back from the foundation. Keep notes on where you still see activity so you can focus your effort.

Step 2: Seal gaps around eaves

Seal gaps around eaves, vents and attic openings. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.

Step 3: Use granular bait outdoors around the perimeter

Use granular bait outdoors around the perimeter. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

Natural and low-toxicity options

These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:

• Vacuum insects and egg cases, then empty the canister outdoors right away.
• Wipe surfaces with soapy water to remove scent trails and residue.
• Place sticky traps to find out where activity is highest.
• Run a dehumidifier where damp areas attract them.

If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.

When to call a professional

Call a licensed pest control company if you still see smokybrown cockroaches after three to four weeks of steady effort, if they are spreading to several rooms, or if you share walls with neighbors who have the same problem.

How to keep smokybrown cockroaches from coming back

• Seal cracks and gaps with caulk and install door sweeps.
• Store food in sealed containers and take out trash often.
• Fix leaky pipes and faucets and keep basements dry.
• Trim shrubs and branches so they don't touch the house.
• Keep firewood, mulch and debris away from the foundation.

Safety notes

Smokybrown cockroaches can carry bacteria indoors from mulch and garbage.

Keep children and pets away from any traps, baits or treated areas.

About cockroaches

The smokybrown cockroach is one of the cockroaches. Cockroaches are ancient, flat-bodied insects that hide in narrow cracks during the day and forage at night. Females produce egg cases called oothecae, each holding a dozen to about 40 eggs depending on the species. Nymphs look like small, wingless adults.

Seeing a cockroach during the day can be a sign of a large population, because crowded hiding spots push some roaches out into the open.

Frequently asked questions