Size:
Up to 1-1/4 inches in length.

Color:
Reddish brown with yellow markings on the back half of its body.

Behavior:
The Australian cockroach is a pest of homes along the Gulf Coast from central Florida to eastern Texas, but especially in parts of Florida. This cockroach is a ready flier and travels easily from trees onto houses. It is commonly attracted to homes to feed on improperly maintained trash containers and pet food on patios and decks. Once by the house, these insects may then enter.

The Australian cockroach usually invades the attic or crawl space, where it finds conditions similar to that found within a tree hole (its natural habitat). Once populations grow large inside these sites, the cockroaches regularly venture down into the home. The occasional cockroach may wander into a home from harborage outside, but chronic infestations are most always associated with attic or crawl space populations.

• Eliminating or minimizing potential harborages outside is the best way to limit infestations of these cockroaches.
• Sealing cracks in the building's exterior is a prudent step to prevent pests from entering.
• Installing screening in all vents is important.