5 Types of Cockroaches That Can Invade Your Home

Cockroaches are common household pests that can be difficult to eradicate. The pests can cause damage and even spread diseases. Many types of cockroaches exist, and knowing the type that has invaded your home is important. Here are the main types of cockroaches.

1. German Cockroach

The German cockroach has a torpedo shape with a light brown color. The cockroach is small in size and has unique racing stripes on the pronotum. The strips are only found in the German cockroach and aren’t visible on other roaches.

The German cockroach is highly widespread and prefers to live in homes. Typically, the German cockroach thrives in inner-city-like environments where homeowners can’t afford pest control measures.

Also, the cockroach is highly attracted to water, so you will find the German cockroach in the bathroom or kitchen.

2. Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are equally small but have light brown bands across their bodies. The bands are prominent in the early stages of the cockroach’s life and remain visible in the wings of the adult. 

Although not traditionally found in the United States, the cockroach entered the country via Florida from Cuba. Today, brown-banded cockroaches are present across the United States.

The cockroach prefers to live in kitchen cabinets and bathrooms. Like most other cockroaches, brown-banded cockroaches are nocturnal but can come out during the day if need be.

Failure to get rid of brown-banded cockroaches poses a health threat to home occupants. In particular, cockroaches carry pathogens on their bodies that can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.

3. American Cockroach

The American cockroach is one of the largest types of cockroach and is a common nuisance in the United States. In addition to its large size, the cockroach has a reddish-brown color throughout its body and a yellow band near its head. Other names for the American cockroach include the palmetto bug, Bombay canary, and water bug. 

Surprisingly, the American cockroach only came to the Americas in the 17th century from Africa. American cockroaches leave small droppings that people may mistake for mouse droppings. Another distinguishable feature of the American cockroach is that both females and males grow wings and can fly. Also, these cockroaches can bite, although this is a rare occurrence. 

4. Smoky Brown Cockroach

The smoky brown cockroach is a large species that like to live in wooded areas. If your home has high humidity and doesn’t experience frequent environmental changes, you will likely attract a smoky brown cockroach. Homes in warmer climates can also attract the smoky brown cockroach. 

The smoky brown cockroach has a dark mahogany color throughout its body. This cockroach resembles the American cockroach but doesn’t have the yellow accents of the American cockroach. Also, these cockroaches can fly and have long antennae.

Once the cockroach invades your home, they will take refuge in garbage and sewers. So, smoky brown cockroaches are likely to transmit diseases.

5. Oriental Cockroach

Despite its name, the oriental cockroach is native to Africa and is one of the largest cockroach species. People often refer to the oriental cockroach as the black beetle cockroach because of its smooth and dark appearance.

The cockroach will enter your home through drains, sewers, pipes, and doors. Male oriental cockroaches are smaller with wings, while females are larger but have no wings.

The oriental cockroach will stay in undisturbed and moist spaces during the day. The cockroach will come out at night and move around the landscaping beds, moist gutters, and storm drains. Because the cockroaches secrete chemicals for communication with one another, you can identify the cockroach through their musty odor. 

Regardless of the cockroach species that invade your home, Highland Pest Control will eliminate them. We use safe and effective pest control measures to remove all pests from buildings and homes. Contact us for more information.