Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

The Pennsylvania wood cockroach is a relatively large cockroach, about 1-1.25 inches long. It's dark brown with a pale or yellowish outer margin on the pronotum (the shield-like plate behind the head). Males have fully developed wings and can fly, while females have shorter wings and cannot.

These cockroaches are typically found outdoors in wooded areas, but males are attracted to lights and may wander indoors, especially during mating season. Finding multiple large, dark brown cockroaches, particularly males, inside your Myrtle Beach home may indicate an infestation. You might also spot them around wood piles or damp areas near the foundation.

MBPC focuses on perimeter treatments and exclusion methods to control Pennsylvania wood cockroaches. Our SC-licensed technicians can apply targeted insecticide sprays around the foundation, windows, and doors to deter them from entering your Grand Strand home. We also recommend addressing any underlying moisture issues that attract them.

Remove leaf litter, fallen branches, and decaying wood from around your foundation. Seal cracks and crevices in your foundation and around windows and doors to prevent them from entering your Myrtle Beach home. Ensure proper drainage around your home to reduce moisture buildup in our humid SC climate.

As their name suggests, Pennsylvania wood cockroaches prefer wooded areas. In Myrtle Beach, they're common in yards with lots of trees, leaf litter, and decaying wood. They thrive in the humid subtropical climate and are often found near wooded areas and areas with high moisture content, typical of coastal SC.

Peak activity: Spring-Fall