Cockroaches are found throughout the United States. These pests prefer wet, humid conditions, and are typically found indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and basements in both residential and commercial properties. To determine the best cockroach control methods, knowing and understanding the different types of cockroaches and their life cycles and habitats will help in order to eliminate them and prevent them from returning.
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Size: Range from ¼” to 2”
Color: Reddish-brown to black
Body: Oval-shaped and flat with antennae
Cockroaches are resilient insects that have been around for over 300 million years, thriving in various environments. Typically found in warm, humid areas, these pests are known for their flat, oval-shaped bodies, long antennae, and quick movements.
Cockroaches can range in size, from smaller species like the German cockroach (about half an inch) to larger types like the American cockroach, which can grow up to two inches. They are nocturnal scavengers, feeding on a wide range of organic matter, including food scraps and waste, making them common in homes and businesses.
Unfortunately, cockroaches are not just a nuisance; they pose health risks by spreading bacteria and triggering allergies and asthma. Understanding their behavior and biology is key to effective pest control.
There are roughly 4,000 cockroach species found worldwide, but only 55 of these species are found in the United States.
While most cockroaches share common traits—such as flat, oval-shaped bodies, long antennae, and the ability to move quickly—several species stand out due to distinct characteristics, making identification important for effective pest control.
The Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae) although native to tropical regions, is found in warm climates around the world. It closely resembles the American cockroach but is slightly smaller, typically measuring 1 to 1¼ inches in length.
Unlike some other species, Australian cockroaches are more capable of flying, especially in warmer conditions.
These roaches tend to inhabit kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with high humidity, such as basements and attics. They are often attracted to decaying plant material and can be found in leaf piles, mulch, or compost heaps.
Brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa) are found throughout the United States. They are one of the smallest species of cockroach measuring ⅜” to ½” in size. They are brown in color and have wings, but only males can fly as females’ wings are underdeveloped.
Preferring warm, humid environments, brown-banded cockroaches are often found hibernating in heated buildings inside ceilings, attics, and by the motors of major appliances.
Smokybrown cockroaches (Periplaneta fuliginosa) are dark, mahogany-brown insects, measuring about 1 to 1½ inches in length. Unlike other species, they have a uniformly glossy appearance with no distinctive markings. Smokybrown cockroaches are strong fliers and often seek out moist, humid environments both indoors and outdoors.
They are nocturnal and are drawn to light, making them more visible around outdoor lighting at night.
Smokybrown cockroaches feed on plant matter, decaying organic materials, and even food scraps, making them common pests in both urban and suburban areas.
Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis) are found in the northern United States. They are one of the larger cockroach species measuring a little over ¾” to 1” in size. Oriental cockroaches are black in color and have wings, but do not fly. They are commonly found in landfills and near leaf litter, as they prefer to feed on garbage.
American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) are found worldwide. They range from 1 to 1 and ½” inches in size, are reddish-brown in color, and have wings but rarely fly.
American cockroaches prefer dark, warm, moist areas and are often found in crawl spaces and basements and around floor drains, pipe chases, and bathtubs. Outdoors, they are found in sewers and drains.
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are found all over the United States. They are ½” to ⅝” inches in size, light brown in color, and have two dark streaks that start behind their heads and extend down their backs. They have wings but do not fly. German cockroaches typically prefer wet, humid areas, and are often found hiding in crevices close to food sources and water, like in kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, restaurants, etc.
If you're dealing with a cockroach infestation, it’s important to act quickly. Cockroaches can spread harmful bacteria and trigger allergies, making fast, professional action essential.
At Ehrlich, our expert pest management professionals are here to help. Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards protecting your property.
Different cockroach species have different habitats. Some prefer wet, humid areas while others like to hide in leaf litter and garbage. No matter the species, all cockroaches need to be close to food and water sources, which is why you may find them hiding anywhere from under your bathroom sink to behind your kitchen appliances.
Cockroaches go through a full life cycle, including egg, nymph, and adult stages. Female cockroaches lay egg cases (also known as oothecae) which they then carry or deposit in a safe place until they are ready to hatch. The eggs hatch in one to two months, and nymphs take between six weeks to six months to develop into adults. Adult cockroaches can live for one to two years.
Cockroaches will eat just about anything. They prefer meats, sweets, and starches, but have been known to consume hair, paper, and decaying matter. Cockroaches can live for a while without food, but they can only live a few days if they don’t have access to water.
Cockroaches carry disease-causing microorganisms on their bodies. Though they do not directly transmit diseases to humans as mosquitoes do through their bite, cockroaches do contaminate anything they walk across with bacteria. They can cause diseases and viruses such as food poisoning, tapeworms, roundworms, polio, and allergies, and they can even trigger asthma.
Cockroaches come into your house in search of food, water, and shelter. They can gain entry through any tiny opening or are brought in accidentally via cardboard boxes or grocery bags.
Cockroaches thrive in moist areas that are close to food sources. If you are suddenly experiencing cockroaches, make sure you have all food stored and cleaned up, garbage lids sealed tightly, and that there are no water leaks in or around your home. Cockroaches can also quickly pop up if your neighbors have an infestation.
All species of cockroach have wings, but not all of them fly. The species that do fly are not strong flyers. Cockroaches only fly if the weather becomes too hot and they are trying to relocate.
If you find a cockroach in your home, take note of where you found it and solicit the help of an expert as soon as possible. Cockroaches reproduce quickly, so it is important to get the situation controlled at the first sight of one.
Though cockroaches are believed to be a sign of a dirty house or business, they can live just about anywhere. No matter how much you clean, cockroaches can still find their way into your home through any openings and may even be brought inside on a grocery box or cardboard bag by you. As long as there is shelter, food, and water present, they will survive in a clean home.
A cockroach's lifespan varies by species, generally ranging from 100 to 700 days. Factors like temperature, food, and shelter influence their longevity, with some species, like the German cockroach, living up to 200 days, while American cockroaches can live for up to two years.
Cockroaches can run up to 3 miles per hour. Their speed, combined with quick reflexes, helps them escape predators and find food or shelter quickly, making them difficult to catch and control.
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