The tropical climate, high humidity, and plenty of green plantations are all that is needed for cockroaches in Hawaii to thrive, breed, and infest. Moreover, the beauty of Hawaii attracts tourists from all around the globe, which introduces new types of cockroaches every few decades.
There are 19 types of Cockroaches in Hawaii, including the German cockroach, which is the most common, followed by the American aka B52 Flying cockroach and the Surinam Cockroach. Other roaches such as the Oriental, the Brown Banded, and the Australian cockroaches are abundant in Hawaii but rarely infests indoor spaces.
Hawaii is no less than heaven for several insects, including beetles, Asian bugs, and wasps. In addition, Hawaii houses between 15 to 19 types of cockroaches, out of which 2 belong to the notorious small cockroaches that infest indoors. These cockroaches can easily travel in luggage from Hawaii back to your home without being detected. Therefore, I have written this article to help the reader prevent bringing infestation back to your homes.
Tired of cockroaches? Invest in only these products and follow the guide to eliminate roaches!
Use these products, and you will be roach free in less than a week.
1. Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (Review)
2. Gentrol IGR Point Source (Review)
Other Products to try:
1. Combat Roach Traps (Easy than gel baits)
2. Hot Shot Foggers (To kill in masses – 95%)
3. Pet Safe Killers (Uses Essential Oils)
4. Ortho Defence Outdoor Roach Killer (Prevent Roaches)
Types of cockroaches in Hawaii
Cockroaches are a universal phenomenon and inhabit almost every continent except Antarctica. Similarly, Hawaii is no stranger to cockroaches; instead, the atmosphere, greenery, and climate offer everything needed for them to thrive.
Hawaii hosts almost 19 types of cockroaches, but only four types of cockroaches are found in abundance and have the capability to infest homes.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is the most common Hawaii roach. It measures half an inch in size with dark strips on the back of the head. German roaches have two wings but do not make them capable of flight.
The German cockroach is mainly found indoors in Hawaii. Therefore, they love to infest bedrooms, kitchens, and the basement.
Hotels in Hawaii are the hotspot for German roaches because millions of tourists visit them each year and bring German roaches, their babies, and eggs along with them.
German cockroaches spread disease and trigger allergies because they visit sewerage more often. Moreover, German roaches reproduce very quickly and infest very heavily.
American B52 Cockroach/ flying cockroach hawaii
Locals in Hawaii also call the American cockroach the B52 cockroach because it flys towards its target like the infamous B52 plane when it feels threatened.
The American cockroach is the second most common among Hawaii roaches but rarely infests homes. They are found mainly inside gutters and sheds but can infest indoor spaces in Hawaii.
American cockroaches measure one and a half to 2 inches in size and have a light brown color with a flat body. They have flight-capable wings and reproduce quickly. American cockroaches have a life span of up to 2 years.
The American cockroach or the B52 cockroach is the “flying cockroach Hawaii” notorious for flying towards flashes of bright light or when feeling threatened. Therefore visitors should avoid pointing bright flashes toward it.
Surinam Cockroach
Surinam cockroach is also known as the greenhouse cockroach because it inhabits the greenhouse. It is among the common Hawaii cockroaches and inhabits greenhouses and plantations surrounding high-rise buildings.
Surinam cockroaches do not love to infest homes, but extreme weather can compel them to move indoors and cause severe infestation.
Surinam cockroach is 0.7 to 0.98 inches in size with dark brown to black in color and has light brown short wings that do not make them flight capable.
Although islands in Hawaii are scattered with no direct land connection, Surinam cockroaches still managed to reach Oahu, Kaui, Molokai, Maui, Lanai, Nihoa, and Big Island.
Unlike other roaches in Hawaii, the Surinam cockroach births live babies and are viviparous.
Brown Banded Cockroach
Brown-banded cockroaches have two noticeable lighter stripes across their back hence named brown banded. They measure about ½ inch long, and the male roach has wings covering the whole abdomen. The female Brown Banded cockroach has tiny wings that do not cover the abdomen completely.
Brown Banded cockroaches are common in Hawaii but rarely infest homes. Instead, they infest restaurants and bars more commonly.
Read this article on What to do if you spot a cockroach in the house?
Preventing Cockroach infestation in Huwaii
Preventing cockroaches in Hawaii is no different from other parts of the world except that the environment favors infestation throughout the year. Therefore, you need to be extra careful to prevent cockroach infestation.
To prevent cockroaches in Hawaii from infesting, follow these guidelines,
- Regularly pick up clutter, spilled food and garbage.
- Cover garbage bins and bathroom drains when not in use
- Use Natural Repellents to keep roaches from entering the house or at hotel you are staying at in Huwaii
- Keep mothballs inside your luggage when traveling to Huwaii .
- Cover crevices and gaps in doors and windows with masking tape.
- Use mesh screens to prevent American B52 roaches from flying inside.
- On returening back from Huwaii use IGR spray on your items to keep baby roaches from maturing into adult bugs.
- Inspect your luggage carefully when un packing it.
Can you kill a cockroach by stepping on it? Read this interesting article to know more!
Getting rid of Hawaii Cockroaches
After you have successfully followed the guidelines on preventing the Hawaii roach problem, it’s time to get rid of Hawaii Cockroaches.
Follow these three simple methods to get rid of cockroaches in Hawaii.
Method 1: Using a bait
This method uses bait to get rid of cockroaches inside your bathroom, cupboards, kitchen cabinets, and basement, all the favorite spots of German cockroaches. Baits are better than sprays as baits will kill the entire colony.
You can get your hand on many baits, but these are my favorite ones. Use each of them according to instructions on the pack.
– Bengal Roach Killer is a dry spray bait, very easy to apply and use. (How to use guide)
– Advion Cockroach Gel Bait is the most effective gel you can buy.
– Hot Shot Liquid Cockroach Trapper and Killer is the best trap you can get for cockroaches.
– Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait is the best bait out on the market.
Method 2: Using an IGR
Using an IGR helps ensure the roach nymphs don’t grow into adults. The B52 cockroach is a notoriously fast breeder, and using an IGR spray will keep it in check for you.
An IGR alters the internal hormones of roaches to molt. This way, the roaches can not become adults and reproduce. Gentrol Growth Regulator (Amazon Link) is the only and the best IGR device for roaches.
It’s effortless to use. Just purge one of them and place it in a hidden place inside your bathroom.
Method 2: Insecticide Spray or Roach Bombs
Insecticide spray or roach bombs are quick solutions for getting rid of cockroaches in Hawaii. However, the one problem with these products is that they kill roaches but do not destroy eggs; hence, we start to see roaches again after a few weeks.
To get rid of Hawaii cockroaches, you must seal all doors and windows, turn off ventilators or air conditioning and spray around all the corners and cockroach hiding places. Then, wait for 30 minutes before you ventilate the room.
Additional Read!
