How Do Flying Roaches Get In Your House? Their 7 Secret Entry Points

Have you ever experienced a large flying roach creeping over your house walls? If yes, then you must know how terrifying it is to encounter such a large insect. These roaches are a real nuisance and have potential health hazards as well. To deal with them, read this comprehensive guide to understand how these flying roaches enter into your homes, their major concerns, and how to prevent them from becoming unwelcome guests in your homes.

How Do Flying Roaches Get In Your House?

Flying roaches are one of the most common pests found in homes. These insects prefer warm and humid environments enriched with food, which makes the homes ideal habitat for them. They usually come out at night and enter your house. The primary ways for flying roaches to gain entrance into homes are: 

Open Doors and Windows

Open windows and doors are prime entry points for flying roaches. They are greatly attracted to food sources. This enables them to detect open windows and doors due to the smell of food coming through them. They move so fast that they get entry into homes even if windows or doors are left open for a short time. 

Cracks and Gaps

The flying roaches have the amazing ability to squeeze through narrow spaces. This enables them to enter homes through cracks and gaps around the windows, doors, pipes, and other infrastructure. These cracks and gaps also serve as breeding grounds for roaches, as they are dark and moist. They can also access food and water inside the homes in these gaps. Roaches can also hide in cracks and gaps whenever they feel threatened.

Plumbing and Drains

Flying roaches are attracted to moisture and food, both of which are easily accessible in plumbing and drains. These serve as thriving and reproducing grounds for roaches. The insects easily crawl up the drains and pipes, which lack proper sealing. These roaches can then enter into homes from pipes at various locations.

Vents and Chimneys 

If vents and chimneys are not screened or maintained properly, they serve as entry points for flying roaches. They use these points to get into the interior spaces of homes. Vents and chimneys provide direct access to warm and humid areas inside homes. They also allow roaches to reach food and shelter sources. 

Accidental Transport

Flying roaches get accidentally transported when they get inside boxes, luggage, and containers. This usually occurs when a box or container placed in roach-infested areas is brought into the interior of homes. From there, flying roaches can easily spread all over the home.

Overgrown Vegetation

Overgrown vegetation creates a favorable environment for flying roaches by offering moist, shady areas where they can thrive. When the roaches increase in numbers in an excessively vegetated area in the neighborhood, they can then enter homes in various ways. They can hitchhike on pets, humans, and household items.

Pet Doors

Pet doors are convenient ways for entry and exit of pets into homes. However, if these doors are not secured properly, flying roaches can easily squeeze through them due to their small size. Once roaches reach inside the home, they can access food sources, water, and shelter. 

How Do Flying Roaches Get In Your House

Common Types of Flying Roaches

According to research published in association with WHO, the estimated number of cockroaches is nearly 4000, among which some are capable of flying. The most common types of flying roaches are given below:

American Cockroaches (Palmetto Bugs)

The American cockroach, usually called the Palmetto bug, is the most common species of flying roach, making up 40–45% of the flying roach population. They prefer flying in hot and humid areas. They use their hind wings for flying. They usually glide over short distances or from a higher altitude to a lower one.

Asian Cockroaches

Asian cockroaches are the second most abundant species of flying roaches, comprising 25–35% of the total population. They have longer and narrow wings that aid in flying. They usually prefer flying when disturbed by some external stimuli. They are mostly found in warmer urban areas. 

Smoky Brown Cockroaches

Being named after their smoky coloration, Smokybrown roaches are found in a minority, i.e. 5-10% of the flying roach population. They are strong fliers compared to other species due to their longer wings. Both males and females are capable of flying.

Other Potential Flying Species

Besides the above species, some other flying species are also found in homes in smaller numbers. These include:

  • German Cockroaches often glide over short distances despite fully developed wings in both males and females. Sometimes they are not considered as true flying roaches. They are small, light-brown roaches commonly found in homes.
  • Brown-banded cockroaches have two dark bands across their wings. Only the males of this species are capable of flying as they have large wings. Females cannot fly as they have short and less developed wings.
  • Oriental Cockroaches are capable of gliding rather than flying. Their wings are short and extend halfway through their body.

Preventing Flying Roach Infestations

Flying roaches can become a danger for humans if they get severely infested into homes and businesses. Their infestations can be controlled through the following preventive measures:

  • Sealing cracks and crevices can play an efficient role in the control of flying cockroaches, as these serve as entry points for them. Proper sealing of cracks and crevices blocks the entry points, thus preventing the entry of roaches.
  • Repairing leaky pipes and faucets blocks the way for moisture and food sources. This is potentially helpful in eliminating the breeding grounds of roaches and reducing their attraction towards homes. 
  • Keeping food and garbage areas clean helps in reducing roach infestations as they are attracted to food and garbage. Keep the areas free from food crumbs and store food in airtight containers.
  • Using screens on windows and doors is an efficient way of preventing flying roaches from entering homes. Make sure the screens are free from holes.
  • Eliminating outdoor breeding grounds is the best way to stop roach infestations. The potential breeding grounds are areas with food and water. The removal of food and water,  and trimming of vegetation aids in controlling breeding.

How Do Flying Roaches Get In Your House

Addressing Common Concerns About Flying Roaches

Are Flying Roaches Dangerous?

The flying cockroaches are potentially harmless when they are gliding. They neither bite nor cause any other direct harm to humans. However, they are the main source of contamination which transmit disease-causing agents from one place to another, as mentioned in a book published by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme. Their presence can sometimes cause allergic reactions in some individuals. 

Do Flying Roaches Bite?

Flying roaches are not capable of biting humans. They are omnivorous and prefer feeding on plants and animals, not humans.

How to distinguish Flying Roaches from other Insects?

Flying roaches have several features that distinguish them from other insects. They are usually larger, having a flat body with long antennae. Flying roaches are usually reddish brown or dark brown in color. They have wings that are visible even when they are at rest. Flying roaches are swift and agile compared to other insects.

Conclusion

Flying roaches can become a severe problem for many domestic setups. Their potential dangers can be reduced considerably by understanding how they manage to invade your area and identifying the species of flying roaches. One should remember that flying roaches can be controlled by sealing cracks, repairing leaks, and keeping the environment free of food crumbs and garbage. By following these protective measures, one can keep enjoying a pest-free living space.

FAQs

Are flying cockroaches harmful?

Flying roaches are not harmful. They usually do not bite humans. But they can be harmful in the sense that they can contaminate your food. They can spread diseases, including asthma, and allergies. They also cause psychological distress in some people. 

What happens when a flying cockroach bites you?

Flying roaches usually do not bite humans. In a rare case, if a flying cockroach bites you, then you don’t need to worry. There will be a minor redness. Some individuals may experience intense allergic reactions. They may experience swelling or possibly have pus.

Why are people afraid of flying cockroaches?

Most people have a phobia of insects. Since cockroaches have a terrifying physical structure during flight, they may threaten people. 

In addition to having a phobia, people are also afraid of flying cockroaches because they are associated with dirty environments and can suddenly appear, surprising someone.

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