Advice needed from the experts :)

S

Simonsays

Ootheca
Hello,

In May I found what I believe to be a tawny roach nymph in my bathroom (see nymph photos below). Recently I've found about four adults in my home (only got pictures of 2- see A and B below). I called the local exterminator who told me there was nothing they could do and identified the roach as a wood roach although he thought it looked a little small. I asked about tawny roaches and he hadn't heard of that kind before. Was wondering if there's anything I can do as I unfortunately have a bit of a phobia to these little guys. Not looking to kill them but if I could deter them from my home that would be great! Also I was hoping to confirm the identification of this roach and confirm that it is not a pest species. I did find at least two of these crawling on the outside of my home the other night when I was looking at the side of the house what they flashlight. I do not live in the woods but do have a yard with trees, bushes, and brush.  I live in Rhode Island, USA.  Thank you so much for your help in advance!

https://imgur.com/a/61NTxaC   (Adult A)

https://imgur.com/a/cDEm8Hx  (Adult A)

https://imgur.com/a/uuyHZ3L (Adult A)

https://imgur.com/a/Gu0Z9sq  (nymph?) 

https://imgur.com/a/mPWY63V (nymph?)

https://imgur.com/a/HEr29ge  (Adult B )

https://imgur.com/a/2rr8mBW (Adult B; This pic can show the size compared to a pen tip)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well they're definitely Ectobius pallidus (Mediterranean Spotted Roaches). Not house pests per say but they inhabit urban areas, usually in yards on foliage and under leaf litter. Because of this habitat preference they commonly wander indoors, where they usually die pretty quickly like any other bug that wanders indoors... Sadly no really way to stop that from happening, same with flies, moths, beetles, etc. that wound up inside by mistake, these are just gonna wander in from outdoors every now and then.

 
Thanks @Hisserdude! I can't find a lot of information about this species. Some questions:

-are they nocturnal? 

- are they attracted to light? 

- are they seasonal? Will this continue when cold weather comes back? 

Thank you

 
Simonsays said:
Thanks @Hisserdude! I can't find a lot of information about this species. Some questions:

-are they nocturnal? 

- are they attracted to light? 

- are they seasonal? Will this continue when cold weather comes back? 

Thank you
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply!

Honestly not sure, I think they're active both day and night, I know adults visit flowers but nymphs might be more night active.

Probably the adults are attracted to light.

They go dormant during the winter and you won't really see them then, Spring and Summer are their peak seasons for activity.

 
Thanks so much for the follow up information @Hisserdude!  I have found a few each week indoors at this point.  Guessing there must be a fair population in my yard. 

New issues is that I have spotted 2 now that are much darker in color compared to the above, although about the same size.  No stripes so fairly certain not German and only spotted outside (on the front door) and between the screen and window so far. Color on this guy seems uniform throughout.  Does this species get darker over time?   What are the chances I have 2 species of "outdoor" roaches in my yard?  The struggle is getting real! 

Sorry for the poor picture. This was taken through the window.  

https://imgur.com/a/Ajf4xGl

 
This forum is mostly dedicated to the culture of exotic species of cockroach in captivity. Of course most users here are happy to help with any advice on identifying or otherwise dealing with roaches in the home. 

If you are worried about an "infestation," just know that like Hisserdude said, many types of small animals will occasionally enter homes, and only a small few can cause serious problems. Just think of it like seeing a cricket in your house--not so scary now, right? You mentioned you had something of a phobia of roaches, so really I commend you for taking the time to try to learn about cockroaches. In Rhode Island the only roach I would worry about loose in my home would be germans (other species might be more pesty in tropical regions). Unfortuneately there's probably not much you can do to prevent these Ectobius pallidus from entering your home unless you scour every tiny little crack in your house. Don't leave food out and make sure there isn't water dripping somewhere. I wouldn't want to spray pesticides because I like seeing diverse forms of life around me. As far as I know there aren't any diseases that are caused or transmitted by cockroaches. However it's possible to get a plethora of diseases from dogs, cats, rats, birds, other humans etc... 

The last image you posted on the window screen seems to be some kind of click beetle, not a roach. I'm by no means an expert. Anyway sorry for the long post and sorry for the pro-roach propaganda. But for someone who claims to have a phobia of bugs you do seem to be quite interested in them now... check out bugguide.net and iNaturalist for identification of arthropods

 
Simonsays said:
Thanks so much for the follow up information @Hisserdude!  I have found a few each week indoors at this point.  Guessing there must be a fair population in my yard. 

New issues is that I have spotted 2 now that are much darker in color compared to the above, although about the same size.  No stripes so fairly certain not German and only spotted outside (on the front door) and between the screen and window so far. Color on this guy seems uniform throughout.  Does this species get darker over time?   What are the chances I have 2 species of "outdoor" roaches in my yard?  The struggle is getting real! 

Sorry for the poor picture. This was taken through the window.  

https://imgur.com/a/Ajf4xGl
Click to expand...
Yeah, they can be abundant where they're found, they've really established themselves in the Northeastern US now (similar climate to where they're native too in Europe apparently).

Yeah that's some sort of beetle, not a roach. Might be a click beetle but it's hard to tell.

And as for the number of "outdoor" roach species you may have in your yard, probably quite a few! There's four Ectobius species established in the Northeast now, along with several of the US native Parcoblatta "wood roach" species. In your area I'd expect at least Parcoblatta virginica and Parcoblatta pennsylvanica to be present too. Just a natural part of the wildlife up there (well, the Parcoblatta at least, the Ectobius are introduced).

 
Simonsays said:
Hello - it has been a while! Can anyone confirm if this is another ectobius pallidus (Mediterranean Spotted Roaches)? Its winter so I was surprised to see this on my cupboard earlier.  I have not seen one since summer. But this guy made my anxiety level jump. Just want to make sure its not German or a "pest" species.  Appreciate the insight. 

https://imgur.com/a/G576Z0E

https://imgur.com/a/ebKG1h6

https://imgur.com/a/JdAzQAX

https://imgur.com/a/hfvNqAv
Click to expand...
Yup, that's another Ectobius nymph.

 
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