All About Flying Roaches And How To Eliminate Them

Often, you will see cockroaches crawling on surfaces. But have you ever seen a cockroach fly? Not all cockroaches fly. However, several species of roaches have wings specifically for safety and travel.

Do All Cockroaches Have Wings?

Several species of roaches have wings enabling them to fly. Wingless cockroaches usually crawl around in search of food. Wood cockroaches and smoky brown cockroaches have strong wings making them better flyers than the rest.

Why Do Cockroaches Fly?

Cockroaches fly when they feel threatened and need to move away fast. Roaches also use their wings much like gliders to move from higher to lower places. They also fly if the conditions encourage them to do so. Flying roaches love warm and moist areas and will fly and gather inside heating ducts, near heaters and around leaky air conditioners.

Types Of Roaches That Fly

Species of roaches that fly include smoky brown cockroach, Asian cockroach, Pennsylvania wood cockroach and Australian cockroach. The American cockroach is not a good flyer. But it can glide from a high place like the top of a cabinet down to a countertop.

For more help on identifying other types of roaches in your Adelaide or Gold Coast home, see our comprehensive guide – Types of Roaches & How to Identify Them.

WHAT ATTRACTS FLYING ROACHES

Flying cockroaches get attracted to indoor lights like lamps and TV screens and can fly around the house. Probably you have not noticed them yet because they are nocturnal by nature.

Signs Of Flying Roaches Infestation

While it may be hard to spot roaches that fly as they are nocturnal, these signs are solid proof of infestation and are usually evident.

• A musty or mouldy odour.
• Dead roaches around the house.
• Tiny droppings that look similar to black pepper flakes or coffee grounds.
• Tan or brown oval egg casings beneath or behind furniture.

Problems Posed By Cockroach With Wings

• Food Contamination And Disease Transmission – Flying cockroaches carry and transmit bacteria that contaminate food, causing illness.
• Countertop Access – With their ability to fly, no countertop is too high for flying cockroaches. They can easily access countertops and contaminate the food and other edibles available there. Consuming food contaminated by roaches can lead to food poisoning and dysentery.
• Challenging To Manage – Flying cockroaches enter homes through open doors and windows. Thanks to their small, flat bodies, they can gain entry through siding, windowsills and frames as well. They can also fly behind cabinets or gaps under appliances, making it hard to control them by yourself.
• Allergic Reactions – Cockroach droppings and shed skins are potent allergens that can cause allergic reactions and even trigger asthma.

How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches Flying In Your Home

Now that you know how problematic cockroach with wings can be, you need to get rid of them as soon as you notice an infestation. First, take the time to discover their source, then move on to eliminate them. There are many ways to combat roaches, but the most important thing is to ensure that you use the safest and most effective strategy.

1. Flying Cockroach Traps And Baits

Baits and traps do a fantastic job when it comes to eliminating flying roaches. They function by attracting cockroaches then killing them instantly upon eating the bait. Cockroaches that feed on the bait not only die but also go on to contaminate the food and eggs of their counterparts. In turn, this breaks their breeding cycle, presenting a long-lasting solution to the infestation. Place the bait around fridges, washing machines and bathroom cabinets.

2. Flying Roaches Spray

Cockroach spray is an instant solution because it kills roaches in their tracks. Surface sprays offer long-term preventative control.

3. Repellant

There are numerous sprays and powders you can use to repel cockroaches instead of killing them. Apply such repellants around entry points to keep out cockroaches that fly.

DIY Remedies To Eliminate Cockroach With Wings

1. Sugar And Baking Soda

Baking soda is a proven flying cockroach killer. Mix it with something sweet like honey or sugar and place the mixture where roaches breed or live. The sweet stuff will attract cockroaches with the baking soda leading to their death.

2. Sugar And Borax

Mix one part sugar and three parts borax. This mixture works the same way as commercial roach killers by dehydrating the exoskeleton of cockroaches. The combination works faster and is cheaper besides being eco-friendly and fume-free.

3. Essential Oils For Roaches That Fly

Essential oils present a chemical-free and natural way to manage flying cockroaches. Add citronella, tea tree, cypress and peppermint oils into the water in a spray bottle. Apply the concoction directly on cockroaches or their entry points and nests.

Call A Flying Roaches Exterminator

To properly deal with a cockroach infestation, get in touch with our expert Adelaide roach exterminators or Gold Coast roach exterminators.