The Three Most Common Cockroaches and How to Identify Them
There more than 4,500 species of roaches on the planet. The good news is there are only around three kinds of cockroaches that you will generally discover in your home. If you spot a cockroach in your home, anticipate it to be a German cockroach, American cockroach, or Smokybrown cockroach. It’s crucial to know which type of roach you’re coping with so you can deal with the issue with the correct solution.
What's the Difference?
They are normally found in warm, dark, wet places. They are night time creatures, so if you see one during the day, this could be a sign of a larger problem. Cockroaches are often found in basements, attic rooms, beneath garbage piles, and also behind furniture.
The American Cockroach
One of the most common cockroaches to come across are the American cockroaches, though you may know them as palmetto bugs,. Once inside, they tend to head in the direction of bathrooms, kitchen areas, laundry rooms and basements looking for water or food. American cockroaches can run very fast and tend to hide away in dark places. When endangered or disturbed they may even fly.
Smokybrown Cockroach
The Smokybrown cockroach is generally found throughout the southeast. Smokybrown cockroaches are prone to dehydration so they are most commonly found in wet places where you may have a moisture problem. Keep an eye on your plumping, as this is among the most common reasons to have moisture issues in the house. These cockroaches tend to be in hiding till night when they go out to search for food.
German Cockroach
Similar to the American cockroaches, German cockroaches are among the most common to turn up in your home. They are generally found inside looking for warmth and water. They have a very fast reproduction rate, meaning they can quickly become a severe problem if not taken care of quickly.
Where Should I Search for These Bugs?
These cockroaches tend to hang around dark, wet, warm places. Inspect these places for roach activity:
- Garage
- Sink
- Closets
- Pipes
- Attic
- Kitchen
- Cellar
- Bathroom
- Home appliances
- Furniture
- Piled Cardboard and Paper
- Wardrobes
- Baseboards
- Electronics
Do I Have an Infestation?
A roach infestation is nothing to ignore. If you see cockroaches in or around your residence on a daily basis you could have a problem. Look for these 5 clear indicators of an infestation:
- Cockroach activity during the day
- Oily smell around your walls
- Cockroach droppings
- Dead Cockroaches
- Cockroach eggs
Should I Tackle It Myself?
Tackling a bug problem on your own can be a great deal of work, and many times it’s not a successful fix to the problem. Applying hazardous and toxic chemicals as a means of eliminating bugs is not advised. We recommend taking personal health and cleanliness to the next level if you want to decrease your chance of experiencing cockroaches. Safe sticky traps and gel traps may be a good brief fix, or a good technique to find an entry point or high activity area, however will not be a long-term solution.
If you see any of these signs, or believe you may have a problem for another reason. Put the problem in the hands of an expert. Contact us to address your roach problem and protect your residence.
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