You rarely find the Australian Cockroach in northern states.
On those occasions when this pest shows up in the north people find it most often in greenhouses.
Once-in-a-while you'll see it in locations away from the greenhouse environment.
But those areas must contain very hot, and moist, conditions.
This pest does not survive well in cold climates.
Though this bug carries the name Australian Cockroach it is not a native of Australia.
The theory is that it came from Asia, carried into Australia on plants.
This roach grows up to one and a quarter inch in size.
It looks similar to the American Cockroach except the halo behind the Australian roaches head is a brighter yellow in color.
This roach also has yellow stripes on the edges of the front wings, and yellow spots on its belly.
You find this insect mostly in southern climates.
In Florida this is the most abundant of the cockroach species.
It thrives in tropical conditions, and lives mostly in greenhouses.
Other places of habitation include woodpiles, shrubs, trees, attics, and crawl spaces.
It does establish populations outdoors around the world where tropical weather is constant.
This roach also likes coastal living.
The Australian sometimes lives indoors during chilly weather, but prefers to live outside.
It moves outside when warm weather comes, and ventures inside mainly for food.
We often see these roaches around the perimeters of buildings.
This insect creates damage inside the home when it chews holes in clothing, and eats away at book covers.
This is a fast-moving roach.
Mostly spotted only as a blur, it quickly darts out of sight when someone enters the room it's in.
The wings are functional, and this roach is a capable flyer.
Australian Cockroaches prefer to eat plants.
This makes them particularly hazardous to young plants in greenhouses.
Like all roaches this bug lives on organic matter when necessary.
As with all cockroaches housekeeping is the number one pest control technique for keeping this roach out of your home.
It is a scavenger, and searches for scraps of food that people drop, and leave lying around.
Since this species lives outdoors perimeter treatments are highly effective for keeping them outside.
If you live in the northern United States you have little need to concern yourself with the Australian Cockroach.
Chances are you'll never see one around your home.
If you live in the south, or if you do find an infestation in your northern home, learn to identify this insect.
Learn what pest control techniques best treat for it, and which pesticides are most effective for controlling this bug.
With the proper knowledge of pest control techniques you'll have nothing to fear from the Australian Cockroach.