Hawaiian Cockroach "The Hairy State Bird"

The Hawaii Cockroach is the High-Flying Nuisance or also known as the B-52 is a less-than-charming resident that parties under your sink at the Club B-52. If you are planning on moving to Hawaii this will be one of the first locals to welcome you as they pillage your leftovers. The "B-52" nickname is named after a large-cockroach that you can hear as it skit skates on the floor with the jitters of its hairy legs. It refers to the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), and it's earned that moniker because these guys are big, they're loud, and yes, they run and get ready for take off and end up flying straight for your face. They are dark reddish-brown, shiny, 1.5 to 2-inch long that comes walking on top of you in the middle of the night, it feels a lot like a stealth bomber on a mission, and it really embodies everything that is gross. Some would say dat its da Hawaiian bird. It is seen as indigenous... jokingly put, but there is nothing funny about seeing one.

If I asked you if I could bring dead leaves, rotting apples, animal feces, and dead bugs into your home, would you say yes? Of course not! Homeowners know that dirt and decay don’t belong in the home. However, did you know that by allowing cockroaches to get into your home, you’re inviting in all the bacteria and diseases associated with all this garbage? They're believed to have arrived centuries ago on ships from Africa, making their way across the globe and finding Hawaii's warm, humid climate and abundant food sources to be absolutely ideal. They thrive in tropical climate homes and subtropical regional cities. Hawaii is home to over a dozen species of cockroaches, with four main species commonly infesting homes: German, American (B-52), Oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches.

The nocturnal bugs are party animals that are active at night from 9pm-3am they are parting near the kitchen and the bathroom or anywhere water is near. They are omnivores and will eat just about anything, including other dead cockroaches. Outside, they’ll feast on decaying plants, dead bugs, and fecal matter. The main reasons they come to residential homes is: food, shelter, and moisture. Even if your space is clean, cockroaches see human homes as a place of survival and live in  dark drawers, near boxes, stacks of books, in the utensil drawers, and under appliances. Cockroaches can cause anxiety, they bite, and present many risks: Disease Carriers, Allergies and Asthma, Foul Odor, Property Damage, and Rapid Reproduction.

The start in the sewers and garbage, picking up bacteria, dangerous pathogens, viruses, and allergens on their bodies and legs. Their behavior curious and they are fast to explore the home, and are quick to contaminate cooking surfaces and may even be able to get into your food. Diseases associated with cockroaches are cholera, dysentery, e.coli, gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and more. Over time, as your cockroach population increases, so does your risk of getting sick. Cockroach droppings have a foul odor and are a sign of Roach Infestation, they shed their skins, and saliva can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems. They enjoy chewing on items such as book bindings, shoe insoles, and soap.  

Cockroaches reproduce rapidly, ensuring without proper control, a small problem quickly becomes a big one. In a female cockroach's lifespan, she can produce upwards of 200 offspring, increasing cockroach problem really quick. There's certainly no "Aloha" for them in Hawaii homes that people in Hawaii encounter. You might be relaxing on your lanai, enjoying the evening breeze, and suddenly, whirr-thump! A B-52 has just made a crash landing near your head. Or you might flip on the kitchen light at 2 AM for a glass of water, only to find a few of them scattering for cover. They're most active when you're least expecting them. Their resilience is legendary; they can survive for a long time without food, without their head, and radioactive sites, and they're incredibly good at hiding in the smallest cracks. As many locals can attest that a flying roach (B52), seems to have a second life and can fly to Vegas as a joke. Some people hit it at least 6 times with a newspaper and it shake it off until a slipper slam um into a splat! 

For many, the sight of a B-52 triggers an immediate, visceral reaction. "I’ll scream my lungs out, jump around, shaking my hands like a fucken chicken, and cry. I SCREAM! And then I run. But I won’t be able to sleep." Others yell for their spouse, "Jump in bed and pull the sheets over my head. Pray that he succeeds. Scream." It's a "what the heck is that!!!" moment for newcomers, and a "YUCK!!!" for seasoned residents. Even with their toughness, the battle is often joined "As fast as I can,,, I pickup my slipper and kill it, then I grab it and flush it down da toilet, like any insect or bug." The "slipper" method is a classic, but sometimes "Raid works, too".

Life Cycle of the B-52 (American) Cockroach

Cockroaches, including our B-52s, lay brown, bean-shaped egg cases, which vary slightly in size and shape depending on the species. Immature domestic cockroaches grow with little change in appearance, gradually getting larger until they acquire wings when they become adults. For American cockroaches, their lifespan averages around two years. Infestations happen when a Colony is discovered where there are droppings resembling coffee grounds or black pepper. 

Smear Marks are found on surfaces where they've crawled with an unpleasant musty smell from heavy infestations. Seeing live roaches, especially during the day, often indicates a overcrowded population. Fighting them is a constant battle, often involving a multi-pronged approach, especially if you're trying to avoid hiring an exterminator. 

Its important to seal entrances is the first step of cockroach pest control. In Hawaii it starts  with identifying what attracts the insects. Seal all gaps under doorways, caulk all holes in walls around shared water and sewer pipes in apartments, duplexes, and condominiums to prevent your neighbor’s cockroaches from entering your home. Screen all unused floor and sink drains, and screen rooftop vent pipes with ¼ inch mesh screen. Inspect all boxes, packages, appliances, and furniture brought into your home for hidden cockroaches and egg cases. This is crucial for stopping new infestations before they start! Caulk all cracks and crevices beneath counters and sinks; along baseboards, cabinets, and bathtubs, and around pipes that enter walls. These tiny spaces are their favorite hideouts. Declutter your home, as roaches like messy homes that are unkempt. 

Eliminating All Food Sources is your first line of defense by keeping your kitchen spotless, promptly cleaning up spills and crumbs. Store all food (rice, flour, pasta, cereals, etc.) in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or heavy plastic (just like with those rice weevils!). Empty trash containers nightly and spray the liner with a disinfectant. Don't leave pet food out overnight. Wash human dishes, pet bowls regularly, and anything food has touched. Vacuum or sweep your kitchen floor each night, and wipe countertops using a disinfectant spray. Regular mopping and vacuuming are key. Clean the spaces beneath appliances. Its also important to repair leaking pipes, fix leaky faucets in the kitchen and bathroom, ensure good ventilation, eliminate standing water, cover drains with metal screen traps or rubber stoppers, and keep the lever to the bathtub drain in the closed position. Avoid overwatering houseplants. Some even pour bleach down the drains since it is dark over there too.

Ant & Roach Aerosol use pre-prepared insecticides that eliminates the hazards of mishandling and dilution errors that may occur with insecticide concentrates.  Insecticides are most effective when sprayed directly on cockroaches in their hiding places. Piecemeal treatments only result in re-infestations after the insecticide wears out. It is important to note to not spray electrical outlets or appliances or anything you eat off of. Baits & Sticky Tape with many swearing by Advion Cockroach gel bait, with one user exclaiming, "I find them all dead looks like a roach Massacre!" The baits contain insecticides mixed with food attractants, and the roaches carry the poison back to their nests.

Local Remedies & Old School Tricks: DIY Jar Trap: "get a large glass jar. Put a small amount of peanut butter on the bottom and coat the inside of the jar with oil. Once they go into the jar, they can't crawl out because it's too slick". Dish Detergent Spray: Make a solution of 3 tbsp. dish detergent and water in a spray bottle. Coffee Grounds: Place used coffee grounds in a can and pour some water to barely cover the grounds. Fabric Softener Spray: Use a spray bottle with 3 tsp. fabric softener and 2 cups water. Bay Leaves: Lay some bay leaves around suspected areas (a common preventative measure for other pantry pests too!). Petroleum Jelly Jar: Place some food in a wide-mouth jar and spread petroleum jelly inside the neck of the jar. Boric Acid Mix: Combine 1 part boric acid, 1 part sugar, and 2 parts flour. Sprinkle in crevices. Baking Soda & Sugar: Put some baking soda with a small amount of sugar in a small bottle cap. Ice Cream Trap: Leave a small container of ice cream out overnight (this one's a bit unconventional, but hey, desperate times!). Borax Paste: Mix 1 cup borax, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1 tbsp. cornstarch and 1 tbsp. of water. Roll the paste into small balls and place a few in a sandwich bag, leaving it unsealed where roaches are a problem. Mouthwash Cotton Balls: Soak a few cotton balls in mint mouthwash and leave them around kitchen areas.

When to Call the Pros: If you attempt to exterminate a cockroach problem on your own, you need to understand that they are difficult to eliminate. Cockroaches have been around and thriving for 300 million years, making them one of the oldest insects in the world. Throughout this time, they have adapted, survived, and proven to be incredibly hardy. Many species have developed immunity to common treatments, which is why it's best to leave cockroach control to the experts. If you start to see many cockroaches roaming around your house, or if you're overwhelmed and "have little money," it could be time to call for professional backup. They can help determine the extent of their spread and implement treatment plans that work for you and your family to yield long-term results.