active at night, and nymphs and adults jump rapidly when disturbed. They do not require a lot of moisture and tend to avoid light. They feed on sweet and starchy foods and even non-food materials. They are commonly transported in furniture, luggage, and other items in houses and develop into large infestations under warm, humid conditions. They tend to avoid light, often hiding behind pictures or posters, and are the most active at night.

Females deposit ¼ inch long egg capsules in clusters on furniture, draperies, wall decorations, shelving, and ceilings. The egg capsule contains 14 to 16 eggs, and a female produces 10 to 20 capsules in her lifetime. Adults can survive for up to 150-200 days. Brown banded roaches can foul food, damage wallpaper and books, eat glue from furniture and produce an unpleasant odor.

Habitat:
Brown banded roaches prefer to hide in warm, dry, elevated areas. They are found near the ceiling, behind wall decorations and loose wallpaper, in closets, beneath or inside upholstered furniture, and in electrical appliances such as TV sets, stereos, radios and toasters.

The Brown banded cockroach does not require as close a proximity to moisture as the German cockroach, which they are often mistaken for, and therefore are often found in other rooms than the kitchen and bathroom. Control is difficult since they live widely dispersed as individuals scattered all over the premises. Infestation may be evident by the presence of tiny, dark droppings and cast skins on cabinets and shelves.

Medical/Economic Significance:
Brown banded cockroaches are carriers of pathogens and can contaminate food with certain bacterial diseases that result in food poisoning, dysentery or diarrhea. Some homeowners are allergic to Brown banded cockroaches; some health experts have claimed that the inhalation of feces and body fragments have caused an increase in asthma cases, especially in inner-city children.

Control:
In controlling brown banded roach infestations, it is helpful to seal cracks and holes behind toilets and around plumbing pipes under sinks. Also, do not store cardboard boxes and paper bags under sinks or in the kitchen or bathroom since they tend to congregate in them. Inspect stored food containers, appliances and used furniture for egg cases that may be brought into the home.

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