Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in homes. There are over 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world and they’re found on every continent except Antarctica.
Not only are cockroaches a nuisance, but they can also be dangerous. Cockroaches can spread bacteria and diseases that can lead to many common food-borne illnesses. For this reason and many others, it’s important to know how to get rid of cockroaches in your home if you find them.
There are many types of cockroaches in the world. In this article, we will talk about the most common types of cockroaches found in your home and how to get rid of them.
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What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are some of the most formidable pests in the United States.
Not only are cockroaches one of the most common pests in the world, but they’re also one of the most hated. Cockroaches are known to spread disease and make homes uninhabitable.
Cockroaches can be found anywhere from homes to restaurants, hospitals, and schools. They’ll eat almost anything and are very resilient insects.
But what are they, really? Cockroaches are insects that have long, flat, and hard bodies. Depending on the species, they can range in color from brown to black, to red, or even white.
These pests have large heads with two pairs of wings, but they don’t fly very well. Their bodies also have three distinct sections (head, thorax, and abdomen).
While different house cockroach types are not physically dangerous to humans, they do carry diseases that can make you sick — especially if they get into your food. People who live in places with a lot of roaches may end up with food-borne illnesses, while older adults and younger children or those who have sensitivities can develop allergies. In serious cases, a severe infestation of roaches can worsen chronic conditions like asthma.
Cockroaches carry bacteria on their bodies, as we mentioned, but it’s unlikely that they can transmit disease through physical contact with people or their belongings.
The risk of contracting a disease from a cockroach is highest when you’re exposed to its feces or saliva, which contain traces of bacteria and viruses. These include salmonella and E. coli along with several other pathogens that can cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems.
Cockroaches are known for their ability to survive just about any type of harsh conditions, including heat and cold, drought, famine, and radiation. They can live off of the food they find in your kitchen or bathroom, but they also eat dead animals and even other insects.
Regardless of the species of house cockroach types, cockroaches can be prolific reproducers. Female cockroaches lay eggs in egg sacs called ootheca that are about an inch long (2.5 centimeters). Each sac contains between 16 to 24 eggs.
The female carries these egg cases around until the nymphs inside them are ready to hatch — usually within 10 days at room temperature (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Nymphs grow into adults within two months. A female will produce five or six batches of eggs during her lifetime — up to 100 offspring per batch!
How Do Cockroaches Get Into Your Home?
Cockroaches can get into your home through cracks and crevices.
Cockroaches are a common pest in homes, and there are many different house cockroach types you might be dealing with. Depending on the species. These different house cockroach types can be found in kitchens and bathrooms, along with other areas of a home. It is important to know where cockroaches are most likely to be found around your home. This information will help you prevent an infestation and treat the problem quickly if it does occur.
Cockroaches usually enter homes through openings near the ground or floor. They may also enter through holes in walls or windows that are not properly sealed. Once inside, roaches tend to stay close to food sources and will hide during daylight hours when humans are awake and active.
Roaches are attracted to and will eat almost anything. With that said, they prefer sugary foods such as bread and sweets. You may notice small dark spots on your food items if they have been nibbled by roaches during storage or preparation. Roaches also eat paper products such as books and magazines; they sometimes even feed on wood glue!
Remember that different house cockroach types can be found in the following areas:
- In garbage cans
- Around pet food dishes
- In the kitchen cabinets
- Under sinks
- In the bathroom (including the bathtub and toilet)
- In bedrooms
- In basements and crawl spaces
- In sheds
- In garages
- And in pantries
There are many different house cockroach types, but there are some that are more common than others. The types of cockroaches you may be dealing with in your home can dictate how you treat them, which is why it’s important to know how to identify these pests.
Let’s take a look below at some of the most common house cockroach types you may encounter.
Florida Woods Cockroach
The Florida woods cockroach is an insect that is native to Southeast Asia. It was first discovered in the United States in the 1950s, but its exact origins are unknown. The cockroach is considered to be a pest because it can cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks in certain people.
The Florida wood cockroach can be found throughout the southern United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The cockroaches prefer warm environments and often live in attics or other areas with high humidity levels. They also like to hide under tree bark or other cracks where they feel protected from predators.
This pest does not bite but it does have a foul smell when scared or threatened. If you see one of these insects during the day, you may want to quickly work to eliminate the problem before it gets worse.
While some people may find these roaches repulsive or disgusting, they are not generally considered dangerous pests to people physically. However, like most house cockroach types, these pests can spread diseases and bacteria due to their lifestyle.
Smoky Brown Cockroach
This type of cockroach is common in homes and prefers warm, humid areas.
The smoky brown cockroach is another common house cockroach type you might encounter in your home. It is also one of the most common species found in the United States. The smoky brown cockroach is sometimes known as the American cockroach, water bug, or palmetto bug.
The pest is about one inch long and has two dark stripes on its pronotum (the first segment behind the head). These stripes can sometimes be hard to see because they are very pale in color. The coloration of this cockroach varies from light brown to almost black depending on where it lives.
The smoky brown cockroach prefers warm, moist environments and can be found in urban areas where there are large amounts of garbage and food waste. They prefer to live outdoors but will move indoors if they need more food or shelter from extreme temperatures or predators.
These common house cockroach types will hide during the day and come out at night when they are less likely to be seen by humans who might try to kill them. They prefer dark places such as basements or crawl spaces where they can find shelter under cardboard boxes, piles of clothing, and other items that provide protection from predators and the elements.
The smoky brown cockroach is not dangerous to humans, but it can cause allergies and worsen asthma in sensitive people.
The best way to get rid of these pests is to use quality products (some of them are listed below) as well as to adopt responsible habits to help reduce your chances of dealing with cockroaches once you have gotten rid of them.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is a medium-sized roach common in American households.
The American cockroach is another house cockroach type you may encounter in your home as it is one of the most common pests in the United States. It is a reddish brown, medium-sized cockroach that grows up to 5/8 of an inch long. This species of cockroach can be found inside buildings and structures as well as outside on mulch or under rocks.
The cockroach is nocturnal, meaning that it is active at night. It prefers dark areas such as under furniture and in basements, attics, and crawl spaces. This species can be found in sewers and drains when they are available, but it will also feed on decaying organic matter such as garbage or animal feces. The female lays her egg capsule underneath debris where it will hatch into nymphs after about two weeks. Once they have reached adulthood, American cockroaches will produce another batch of eggs.
The American cockroach is not known to be dangerous to humans because they do not bite or carry disease like some other species does such as the German cockroach or Oriental roach. However, they can worsen allergies, worsen chronic illnesses like asthma, and may spread bacteria to infested food.
The Oriental Cockroach
The oriental cockroach is native to Southeast Asia but is now common in the US.
The oriental cockroach is a pest that originated in Southeast Asia. It is also called the waterbug or black beetle.
The oriental cockroach looks like a small, dark brown roach with long antennae and wings. It can grow up to two inches in length but rarely exceeds one inch. The female oriental cockroach lays her eggs in batches of 30-50 and carries them on her back until they are ready to hatch.
Oriental cockroaches prefer warm temperatures and high humidity levels, so they often live inside homes or apartments near sources of water. They are commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms because these areas are warm and humid.
Oriental cockroaches do not carry diseases but their presence can lead to an unsanitary environment. This can cause infections from bacteria carried by these insects such as salmonella poisoning from handling food products contaminated
The oriental cockroach requires warmth and moisture for survival; thus they usually live around bathrooms or kitchens where there is water available. They are also attracted to light so they often come out at night when lights are left on in homes or apartments.
Oriental cockroaches like to hide during the day and come out at night to forage for food. They prefer warm, moist environments such as basements, sewers, and drains but may also enter homes through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes.
The oriental cockroach is more resistant to some types of pesticides than other roaches, so it takes more time to kill them than it would take to kill other house cockroach types.
Turkestan Cockroach
The Turkestan roach is one of the smallest roaches.
The Turkestan cockroach is a very small species of the Periplaneta genus. It is native to Central Asia, China, and Korea. The Turkestan cockroach is one of the smallest of all cockroaches when it comes to common house cockroach types. These pests can grow to be only between two and three centimeters.
The roach has a black head and thorax with brownish-red wings. Its abdomen is thick and yellowish-brown in color with three stripes running down its sides.
Turkestan cockroaches are nocturnal insects that prefer warm conditions in which to live. They prefer to hide in dark places during the day such as under furniture, behind baseboards, and inside pantries. They have also been known to burrow into walls where they can remain for long periods of time without food or water.
They prefer moist environments and will often take shelter in basements or crawl spaces where there is plenty of moisture present from condensation on pipes or leaks in plumbing fixtures. Because these insects are so small they are able to squeeze through very small cracks or gaps so they can easily get into a home undetected by homeowners.
Australian Cockroach
Australian Cockroaches are often found in households and businesses.
The Australian cockroach is a pest that can be found living in homes and businesses and can be identified by its reddish-brown body with two pale or whitish stripes running down each side. This is one of the common house cockroach types that prefer to live in high moisture areas and is often found in kitchens and bathrooms.
Like many common house cockroach types, the Australian cockroach is nocturnal, meaning it comes out at night to look for food. This type of cockroach will eat almost anything including human food, paper products, and glue. They frequently hide in cracks and crevices during the day.
The Australian cockroach is not known to spread disease but it can cause heightened allergic reactions in people with sensitivities. This is especially true if there is a severe infestation of the pest behind walls or in bathrooms or kitchens.
This is also one of the common house cockroach types that can produce an odorous secretion when crushed which may cause irritation in some people with asthma.
Best Products For Getting Rid Of House Cockroach Types
Using the right products can help control and remove certain types of cockroaches.
The first step to getting rid of cockroaches is identifying what type you have. There are many different house cockroach types that infest homes and businesses, as we mentioned above.
Once you have determined the types of roaches you’re dealing with, your next step in getting rid of them should include investing in the right products.
If you have a roach problem in your house, it’s important to use the right products. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with those annoying and disgusting pests for a long time.
The first step is choosing the right product. There are many different types of insecticides, but some are better than others for getting rid of roaches. You also have the option of using natural insecticides or chemical insecticides.
Natural insecticides: These substances contain natural ingredients that don’t harm people or pets, but they can kill insects like spiders and roaches. They often don’t smell as strongly as chemical insecticides, which makes them less irritating for your family and pets as well. Some examples of natural insecticides include boric acid powder, diatomaceous earth, and essential oil spray
Chemical insecticides: These chemicals kill insects by disrupting their nervous systems or interfering with their ability to breathe. They can be more effective than natural insecticides at killing certain kinds of insects such as roaches and may be used in conjunction with natural insecticides for severe infestations.
In addition to choosing the right product, you also need to know how to apply it correctly so it works effectively.
Below are some products we recommend if you are not sure which products might be right for getting rid of different house cockroach types.
EcoRaider Roach & Ant Killer
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EcoRaider Roach & Ant Killer is a non-toxic product that contains boric acid and pyrethrins. It is safe for use around children and pets, but should not be used on food surfaces or in areas where food is prepared. It comes in an easy-to-use aerosol can, which makes it very convenient to use.
EcoRaider roach killer can be used inside or outside the home. The active ingredients are boric acid, pyrethrins, and piperonyl butoxide (an insect repellent). When sprayed around baseboards, shelves, and other areas where roaches might live or hide, they will ingest the product through their feet and die before they can reproduce or spread diseases. This product works best when applied in cracks and crevices where insects may hide.
Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer
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Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer is a great way to get rid of different house cockroach types quickly. The active ingredient in Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer is bifenthrin, which is a type of insecticide known as an insect growth regulator (IGR).
The product comes with two parts: a spray bottle and a bait station. When you use these two products together, they’ll work together to kill all of the pests in your home.
Spray the Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer directly onto the pests or their hiding places using the spray bottle. The product will kill them on contact and also prevent any other pests from entering your home for up to four months after application!
Tysonir Roach Killer
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Tysonir Roach Killer is a non-repellent, roach-killing powder that is ideal for use in homes, restaurants and other commercial facilities. The product works by killing the roaches as they walk through it, so there’s no need to spray anything directly on them.
The active ingredient in Tysonir Roach Killer is boric acid, which has been used as an insecticide since ancient times. Boric acid has several advantages over other pesticides: it’s inexpensive and easy to use; it doesn’t have an odor or leave stains, and it’s relatively safe for humans and pets (although it can irritate the skin).
In addition to being effective against cockroaches and other common household pests, Tysonir Roach Killer is also useful against ants, spiders, and silverfish.
Do It Yourself Pest Control for Getting Rid Of Different House Cockroach Types
There are several home remedies you can use to get rid of roaches and other pests in your home.
Pest control is an essential household activity and can be done by you if you know the right household ingredients to use. You can do this yourself using some simple home remedies and natural ingredients that are found in your kitchen or garden.
But do home remedies really work for getting rid of different house cockroach types? Yes, home remedies can work when you know how to use them. You can try these easy tips at home to get rid of these pests from your home:
Essential Oils
Essential oils are one of the best options for getting rid of cockroaches quickly and easily. Many types of essential oils have amazing insecticidal properties that will kill certain pests like ants, fleas, and gnats, while also repelling larger pests like roaches. Some of the most effective essential oils include cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic oil, and eucalyptus oil. You can use any one of these oils or mix them together for better results. You can either use these oils directly to keep roaches at bay or mix them with water in a spray bottle and spray it around your house.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an effective insect repellent. It contains a substance called cinnamaldehyde which repels many insects, including cockroaches. You can use cinnamon by sprinkling it around areas where cockroaches tend to hide or crawl around. This will make them feel uncomfortable and they will not want to stay in these areas anymore. If you do not have any cinnamon at home, you can also use ground cloves instead which have similar effects.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is another popular DIY solution for getting rid of roaches. This spice also creates a vapor barrier around your home that repels roaches from entering your home. The best way to use cayenne pepper is by sprinkling it around doorways or window sills where you see signs of activity from roaches or other pests such as ants or spiders. You can also make your own spray using cayenne pepper and water by mixing one tsp of cayenne powder with 16 oz of water. You may also add a few drops of essential oils for extra spraying power.
Instant Potatoes
Using instant potatoes is a common and easy way to get rid of different house cockroach types. Roaches are attracted to starchy foods like potatoes and will be attracted to dry instant potatoes. Leave them on a small plate near areas you have noticed roach activity, and leave a small bit of water nearby as well. The roaches will eat the potatoes and the dry potatoes will expand in their stomachs when they take a drink. This quickly kills the pests.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a natural insecticide that kills roaches by destroying their exoskeleton and causing death by dehydration. Boric acid is often used in the laundry or as a cleaning solution around the house, but it also makes an excellent roach killer to eliminate small infestations or prevent future ones. Using boric acid is simple: Just mix it with flour and spread it around the baseboards, crevices, and behind appliances where roaches hide.
Dryer Sheets
If you have an infestation of house cockroach types, you can try using dryer sheets to shoo them away from your home. German cockroaches are highly sensitive to the scent of dryer sheets, so place a few of these laundry essentials around your house for about two weeks after treating your home with other typical forms of pesticides or insecticides. The scent will keep these nasty pests from returning. Dryer sheets can also help get rid of other pests like ants and bed bugs.
A Sugar and Baking Soda Trap
This trap is ideal for getting rid of a number of pests, including different house cockroach types. This trap will work by attracting the cockroaches with sugar water while the baking soda acts to inflate their stomachs, and it will kill them within 24 hours after they eat the mixture. You can make this trap by mixing two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of baking soda and placing it into a small bowl or jar lid where you see roach activity most frequently. Replace this mixture every day until all the roaches are gone from your house.
Different House Cockroach Types – What You Should Know About Keeping Cockroaches Out Of Your House
Roaches are one of the most hated pests, and for good reason.
Cockroaches can be more than a nuisance to humans – they can spread disease. The best way to keep common house cockroach types out of your house is to use the tips and products listed above. It’s also important to follow the below tips from our experts.
- First repair vulnerabilities around your home that could allow cockroaches inside
- Keep your yard well maintained to reduce pests outdoors
- Reduce excess humidity inside your home
- Remove clutter and debris where roaches could hide
- Store food properly in sealed plastic or glass
- Steal garbage properly to avoid attracting pests
- Do not leave pet food out overnight
- Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
- Use a trusted form of pest control year-round
We hope this has been a helpful guide on the different house cockroach types. Have you ever dealt with the above different types of these pests? Tell us in the comment section below.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.