When Is Cockroach Season in Utah?

Written by Kaleigh Moore
Updated: May 14, 2023
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Have you been wondering when is cockroach season in Utah? Well, there are over 4,500 species of cockroaches. Surprisingly, only 30 species are considered pests. These creepy insects present an unsightly appearance and pose a grave danger to your health. They can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, putting you at risk of contracting various diseases. Even more concerning, their droppings, shed skin, and saliva can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, making their presence all the more intolerable.

But are there specific periods during the year when these vermin are more active and abundant in Utah. So, what practical measures can you take to prevent or eradicate them from your home? In this post, we’ll answer these questions and more.

When Is Cockroach Season in Utah?

Cockroaches in Utah are most active during the hotter months, which is hardly surprising given their cold-blooded nature. Late June is often the hottest period, with temperatures soaring to 94 degrees Fahrenheit. As the chill sets in during the colder months, many of these critters either die or slip into hibernation, taking refuge in hidden spaces such as pipes and walls.

However, not all roaches disappear into hibernation at the onset of winter. Some daringly brave the cold by migrating to warmer regions. Certain cockroaches can endure the freezing weather indoors all year, provided they have consistent food and water sources.

Additionally, spring and summer are cockroach breeding seasons. Female cockroaches can lay dozens of eggs at a time in a protective casing called an ootheca. Some female cockroaches can even reproduce without mating with a male through parthenogenesis.

Why Is It Important To Know Cockroach Season?

Understanding cockroach season in Utah can significantly aid in thwarting and managing cockroach invasions in your residential or commercial spaces. By recognizing the elements that draw in cockroaches and increase their movement, you can implement measures to diminish their accessibility to food and water. Furthermore, you can adopt a proactive approach in employing pest control techniques like lures or expert interventions.

With a unique and fascinating design, cockroaches are able to adapt quickly to their surroundings.

Understanding cockroach season in Utah can significantly aid in thwarting and managing cockroach invasions.

©iStock.com/RHJ

What Types of Cockroaches Are Found in Utah?

If you reside in Utah, you’re bound to encounter four distinct cockroach types; the German, American, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches.

German Cockroach

Have you ever seen a tiny, brown cockroach with dual dark stripes behind its head? Chances are you’ve encountered the notorious German cockroach (Blattella germanica), widely regarded as one of the planet’s peskiest and most pervasive roach species. With a penchant for infiltrating residential abodes, eateries, lodgings, and other buildings with food and water, this critter proves a formidable foe for any human homeowner or business owner seeking to maintain a hygienic environment.

It has wings covering most of its abdomen but rarely flies and prefers to run when disturbed. The female cockroach is usually darker than the male and carries an egg case (ootheca) that contains 30 to 40 eggs until they are ready to hatch.

The German cockroach can be easily confused with the Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai), which looks very similar but has longer wings and can fly like a moth. The Asian cockroach is also attracted to light, while the German cockroach avoids it; it’s nocturnal and hides in dark and secluded places during the day. It comes out at night to scavenge for food and potential mates.

Keep your living space clean and dry to help avoid a roach infestation.

German roaches are especially drawn to areas with food and moisture.

©7th Son Studio/Shutterstock.com

American Cockroach

The American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) is a nocturnal creature that towers over its common peridomestic cockroach cousins. It measures an average of 4 cm and boasts a dark brown or reddish-brown body with a striking yellow band behind its head. Interestingly, despite its seemingly patriotic moniker, the American cockroach hails from Africa. It was first introduced to the Americas through human commerce as early as 1625 and has since made itself at home in various environments.

It’s a master of disguise, lurking in the most unexpected places – from dingy basements to dank sewers and steamy tunnels to musty garbage dumps. It has wings rarely used for flying but more for gliding or crawling. The male wings are longer than the female wings. The female cockroach produces an egg case called an ootheca that contains 16 eggs. She carries the ootheca for a few days before depositing it in a hidden location.

The American cockroach is an omnivorous scavenger that will eat almost anything organic. It prefers starchy and sugary foods like bread, cereal, fruit, candy, beer, and cheese. It also feeds on meat, grease, hair, leather, paper, glue, soap, and dead insects. It can survive for up to three months without food but only one month without water.

American Cockroach, identifiable by its reddish-brown color and yellow markings

American cockroaches may be the largest roaches found in the United States, but they can still fit through incredibly small spaces.

©iStock.com/RHJ

Oriental cockroach

The oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is an omnipresent species that can be found all over the globe. Its penchant for moist habitats and dark pigmentation has resulted in its colloquial monikers, “waterbugs” and “black cockroaches.” Compared to its counterparts, this cockroach is a titan, measuring anywhere between 25 and 32 millimeters in length. It has long antennae and spiked legs.

Oriental cockroaches are a mysterious nocturnal species. They’re skilled at concealing themselves outdoors under leaf litter, mulch, wood piles, stones, or even the darkest corners of garbage cans. In their development, oriental cockroaches go through three stages, starting as eggs before transforming into nymphs and reaching adulthood. The female of the species produces an egg case known as an ootheca that contains 18 eggs.

After carrying the ootheca for an entire day, the female carefully deposits it in a protected location or attaches it to a substrate using a sticky secretion. And while the nymphs may resemble miniature adults, they are distinguished by their lighter color and lack of wings. As the larvae continue to molt several times for six to twelve months, they eventually reach the coveted stage of maturity.

An Oriental cockroach, showing its dark-brown coloring and hardiness, which can make it difficult to eliminate once established.

The oriental cockroach is a dark-brown species of cockroach that lives in warm, humid climates and can be found throughout the world.

©iStock.com/Weber

Brown-Banded Cockroach

Brown-banded cockroaches earned their name from the two dashing light brown bands on their wings and abdomen. They measure 10 to 14 mm and flaunt a striking tan to light brown color. The males boast longer and narrower wings that wrap their entire abdomen, whereas the females flaunt shorter and broader wings that expose a part of their bellies. The female carries the ootheca for a few days before attaching it to a hidden surface, such as under furniture or behind wall hangings.

Brown-banded cockroaches are nocturnal insects that avoid light and hide during the day. Their remarkable resilience in drier, warmer environments sets them apart from their cockroach cousins. These cockroaches can lurk in the most unexpected places, like closets, attics, and even electrical appliances!

Brown-banded cockroaches feed on organic matter, such as starches, sweets, grease, meat, glue, book bindings, and wallpaper paste. They’ve also been known to indulge in non-edible items that contain traces of animal or plant products, like leather, wool, silk, and hair.

The brown-banded cockroach is an invasive species with distinct brown bands on its wings

The brown-banded cockroach is an invasive species that can be found throughout the United States. Its distinct brown bands make it easily identifiable.

©Freedom my wing/Shutterstock.com

What Causes Roaches to Infest Your Home?

1. Poor Sanitation and Hygiene

Poor sanitation and hygiene are among the most common culprits of a cockroach infestation. These disgusting pests can’t resist the allure of filth and grime. So, to keep them out of your space, you must get your act together and keep things squeaky clean. That means ensuring your kitchen, bathroom, and trash cans are food debris-free. Moreover, don’t forget to store your food in airtight containers, wash your dishes regularly, wipe up spills as soon as they happen, and vacuum your floors.

2. Clutter

Roaches like to hide in the clutter of your home. They love that mess because it covers them from the prying eyes of predators and pesky pesticides. Clutter also gives them the moisture and organic matter they need to survive. They’ll feed on anything they can get their mandibles on, including paper, cardboard, glue, fabric, hair, dust, and anything else lying around in those cluttered areas. The real kicker is that clutter makes spotting and eliminating them nearly impossible.

So what can you do to fight back against these devious invaders? Start by decluttering your space. Get rid of all that extra junk that takes up space and organize your possessions. Use sealed plastic containers or bags to keep those roaches out when storing your stuff.

3. Moisture

Roaches need water to survive and will seek out sources of moisture in your home. From leaky pipes to faucets, sinks to drains, toilets to showers, bathtubs to dishwashers, washing machines to humidifiers – nothing is off-limits for these moisture-seekers! You should fix any leaks or drips in your plumbing system, dry wet areas after use, and use a dehumidifier or fan to reduce humidity levels in your home.

4. Cracks and Gaps

Cracks and gaps in your walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other areas can also allow roaches to enter your home. Cockroaches can squeeze through very small openings and use them as pathways to travel from one place to another. Cracks and gaps can also provide roaches with hiding places inside your home. You should seal any cracks or gaps in your home with caulk, foam, or mesh to prevent roaches from getting in or out.

5. Hitchhiking

Roaches might secretly infiltrate your home by hitchhiking on items you bring inside. They’re cunning enough to latch onto anything, be it groceries, packages, luggage, furniture, clothing, plants, or pets. Therefore, be vigilant and thoroughly inspect any item that enters your domain for signs of roaches or their eggs. Any contaminated item should be disposed of immediately to prevent the insidious spread of these pests.

A cockroach laying on its back with an egg next to it.

This cockroach sure looks like it is having a hard time.

©Georgy Dzyura/Shutterstock.com

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Utah?

Use Adhesive Traps

Position adhesive traps where these ghastly creatures lurk — be it under your kitchen sink, behind your fridge, in your cabinets, or along your walls. The unsuspecting roaches are drawn to these traps like a moth to a flame, only to find themselves firmly stuck and unable to escape.

You can buy these traps at any hardware store or online. Alternatively, one could craft their sticky boards using a piece of cardboard and duct tape, with the sticky side facing upward. Replace your traps every few days until you’re no longer troubled by the scurrying of cockroaches.

Use Baking Soda and Sugar

Baking soda, that white powdery substance you use to make cakes rise, is a lethal weapon against cockroaches. When ingested by these insects, baking soda unleashes a cataclysmic reaction that causes them to explode. It’s like a mini fireworks show in their bellies.

The sugar is the bait, the seductive lure that brings those pesky critters to their doom. Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar in a bowl, and voila! You’ve got yourself a cockroach-killing cocktail that’s sure to knock their socks off.

Where do you sprinkle this potent mixture? Anywhere you’ve seen those vile creatures lurking around.

Use Soap and Water

Soap can suffocate roaches by clogging their pores and obstructing their airways, thus preventing them from breathing. Grab a trusty spray bottle and fill it up with water. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mix and shake well to ensure a proper blend.

Watch out for roaches and give them a generous spritz of your soapy concoction. Don’t forget to target those tricky crevices and cracks where these pests love to hide.

Soap and water are an effective way to get rid of cockroaches. Spray, wipe, and watch them scurry away.

Get rid of pesky cockroaches using the power of soap and water.

©pixfly/Shutterstock.com

Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is made from fossilized algae. It boasts minuscule yet razor-sharp edges that can pierce through the tough exoskeleton of cockroaches, leaving them to suffer and perish as they bleed out. You can find it from a health store or a virtual vendor. Sprinkle it in areas where these unwelcome visitors have made themselves at home. Soon enough, the cockroaches will trample over it, meet their fateful demise, and perish within days.

Use Bait Stations

Bait stations are small containers with poisoned bait that lure roaches to their demise. Once these crafty insects take the bait, they unwittingly bring it back to their nest, infecting other cockroaches in the process. They’re readily available for purchase at most hardware and grocery stores. Place them strategically near any areas where you’ve spotted roach activity and let the bait do its job. Replacing them every few months or as instructed on the packaging is essential to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Use Insecticide Spray

The key is to select a spray formulated explicitly for cockroaches and heed the safety instructions that adorn the label. Spray it directly on any roach you encounter or their hiding places. Repeat this process as necessary until all the cockroaches are eliminated.

Use Boric Acid

Boric acid can exterminate cockroaches without harming humans or pets when utilized with care. It penetrates the cockroach’s exterior shell and ravages its digestive system, ultimately leading to its demise.

Gather flour, sugar, milk, and boric acid to create this deadly concoction. Combine half a cup of boric acid with half a cup of flour, a quarter cup of sugar, and a quarter cup of milk. Mix it all until you achieve a dough-like texture.

Once your dough is ready, roll it into small, delectable balls. Place these balls strategically where you’ve spotted the roaches loitering about. These sneaky roaches will gobble up the bait, unaware of the hidden poison. Soon after, they’ll meet their untimely death.

Reclaim Your Home from Cockroaches

Cockroaches are pervasive and unwelcome insects that can infiltrate your dwelling or commercial premises. The climatic patterns of Utah reveal that these pests exhibit heightened levels of activity during the warmer months, with late June marking the peak of scorching heat. Awareness of cockroach season is of utmost importance, as it can greatly aid in preventing and managing these invasive insects within your home.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/panida wijitpanya


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