Roaches have been invading structures and homes for more than 400 million years and they haven’t changed much over time. While roaches don’t bite and are generally not aggressive, they do pose health and allergy risks associated with their droppings, skin flakes and carcasses. There are hundreds and thousands of cockroach species, the most popular and prevalent in our area are: the American cockroach, German cockroach, Smokey-Brown cockroach and the Florida woods roach. Each has identifiable appearance, size, color and habits.

For example, the American cockroach – sometimes called a palmetto bug – is one of the largest species at about 1-1˝” long. It is reddish-brown with wings and is characteristically more aggressive and flies more readily than others.

German cockroaches are scavengers that live mostly among people. They are light brown and about 5/8” long with two identifiable dark stripes on the thorax.

The Smokey Brown cockroach is nocturnal, large – up to an inch long or more – and is most likely seen flying towards lights at night.

The Florida woods roach is black, about 1” long and nests in high-moisture areas such as decaying plant material. Also known as black beetles, these bugs don’t move very quickly and have an odor.

Visual identification: These pests multiply quickly. For every one you see, there are up to 200 more you do not. Mostly nocturnal, it’s very likely that the bugs you find in the daytime have been forced out because of overcrowding, which means you probably have severe infestation.

Visual evidence:  Small, dark, round droppings, wings, brown egg capsules, or – of course – dead carcasses confirm infestation.

Entry points:  Cockroaches can easily enter your home through the smallest cracks in door openings, windows, even drain pipes, moving boxes and paper bags.

Food sources:  Roaches are scavengers and will eat almost anything. You’ll find most cockroaches in and around food preparation areas and stored food or in trees and the exterior of your home.