The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus), is the largest of the common cockroaches, measuring on average 4 cm in length.
Clean debris around the exterior of the house and seal any possible entry points into the house. Entry points include sewer pipes and uncaulked gaps around any opening into the ground or exterior.
Caulking of penetrations through ground-level walls, removal of rotting leaves, and limiting the moist areas in and around a structure can help in reducing areas that are attractive to these cockroaches.
Other means of management are insecticides that can be applied to basement walls, wood scraps, and other infested locations. Residual sprays can be applied inside and around the perimeter of an infested structure. When insecticides and sprays are used to manage cockroach populations, they may ultimately kill off the parasitic wasps that help naturally control cockroaches. Bait stations placed strategically around the inside of the building are probably the safest and most effective option.
Contact your local Extension office for management recommendations.
