KNOW YOUR ROACHES

If you live in Florida, with all the heat and humidity, you’ve more than likely seen a cockroach. There are so many species of cockroaches, and some are worse to have in your home than others. Let’s take a look at 3 of the more common roaches that you may find in a South Florida home: the American Cockroach (also known as a Palmetto Bug), the German Cockroach, and the Smoky Brown Cockroach. We’ll also cover what each type of cockroach looks like, how big do cockroaches get, and what makes Florida homes, particularly in Juno Beach, vulnerable to roaches. If you’re dealing with an infestation, Juno Beach pest control can help.

What Does a Roach Look Like?

A cockroach is typically flat, oval-shaped, with long antennae and six legs. The body is segmented and covered by a hard exoskeleton. Depending on the species, cockroaches vary in size, color, and appearance. Some cockroaches have wings, while others don’t. However, even winged cockroaches may not fly often.

German Roach

Let’s start with the most severe roach to find in a home, the German Cockroach. They’re the most common nuisance cockroach that people see in their homes. They prefer houses and buildings to any other habitat, and reproduce faster than any other cockroach species. These roaches have wings, but don’t fly; instead, they glide.

They’re dangerous in homes because they can spread disease by contaminating food and cooking surfaces. They shed periodically and leave behind egg casings that can cause asthma attacks and trigger allergies.

These roaches are 0.5 inches in length, so they are one of the smaller roaches you would come in contact with. An adult is light brown with two dark stripes running down its thorax. A nymph is smaller and darker, with a tan stripe running down its back.

In apartment buildings, they can crawl through shared pipes and ducts to infest additional units and quickly become a widespread problem. You’ll most likely find them in kitchens and bathrooms as they like to hide near food, water, and sources of heat. If they become too large a problem, you may even find them in bedrooms and closets.

Every few weeks, they lay 30-40 eggs, with each female carrying them until 1-2 days before hatching. A single German Cockroach can be responsible for the births of more than 30,000 babies in one year, with nymphs maturing at 40-125 days. Proper cockroach control is extremely important for controlling the problem.

American Cockroach

Also known as a Palmetto Bug, these common household roaches prefer the outdoors and are less likely to infest living spaces than German Roaches. However, they can still spread disease and trigger symptoms of allergies and asthma.

These roaches can get up to 3 inches in length, making them the largest of common roaches. They’re reddish-brown with a light-yellow band outlining their thorax. Adults are large with wings, but nymphs are not.

These pests can enter homes through pipes and small gaps in the foundation. They often live in trees, gardens, and sewers, preferring areas with heat and humidity. Indoors, they’ll hide in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and boiler rooms. In a single year, a female can be responsible for more than 800 babies, laying 12-16 eggs at a time, which might not hatch for 2 months or longer. Nymphs mature slowly, taking 65-400 days. They prefer a diet of fermenting foods but will scavenge for crumbs and scraps. Outside, they like to feed on leaves, wood, fungi, algae, and smaller insects.

Smoky Brown Cockroach

These cockroaches are very sensitive to dehydration and must live near a reliable water source. They’re nocturnal creatures and will fly away if disturbed. These pests are attracted to light and are about 1.5 inches in length. They’re dark brown to mahogany-colored with a thorax that looks almost black. Their wings are longer than their bodies, which distinguishes them from other species.

If you’re dealing with pests around your home, professional pest control services can help eliminate infestations and prevent future issues. Smoky Brown Cockroaches like to climb into homes through vents and plumbing, especially where vegetation touches the house. An outdoor roach prefers to hang out in gutters, planter boxes, and wood piles. They can also be found beneath shingles, garages, trees, shrubs, and sewers. While it’s rare to see them entering homes, professional pest control Juno Beach FL services can help ensure your property stays protected from these unwanted intruders.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches can lay 40-45 eggs at a time, which take 24-70 days to hatch. The nymphs are black with two white horizontal stripes on their back.

What Kind of Roaches Are Found in Florida

Florida’s climate makes it the perfect home for many types of roaches, including brown cockroaches, which are common throughout the state. With the right temperature and humidity, Florida homes are ideal environments for a variety of cockroach species. That’s why it’s so important to know the different kind of roaches and how they impact your home.

The American Cockroach, German Cockroach, and Smoky Brown Cockroach are the most prevalent species found in South Florida. If you’re wondering how big do roaches get, the American Cockroach can reach a size of up to 3 inches, while the Smoky Brown Cockroach is about 1.5 inches in length. The German Cockroach is smaller at 0.5 inches. All these roaches can pose a significant health risk, especially when they infest homes and kitchens.

How to Control Roaches in Your Florida Home

If you’re struggling with a roach infestation, it’s essential to act quickly to protect your home and family. Here are some steps to take:

• Seal all cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation and around windows, doors, and pipes.
• Keep food sealed in containers, and clean up crumbs, grease, and food spills immediately.
• Remove moisture sources by fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers, and regularly wiping down sinks and counters.
• Eliminate clutter, especially cardboard, paper, and other items that roaches use as hiding spots.

However, for persistent problems, professional pest control is often necessary to eliminate roaches and their eggs fully. Pest control Juno Beach is vital for keeping your home safe from these disease-spreading pests.

Why Call Palm Coast Pest Control for Roach Issues?

Whether you’re dealing with brown cockroaches, roaches in Florida, or a serious German cockroach infestation, Palm Coast Pest Control is here to help. Our expert team uses safe, effective pest control methods to eliminate roaches in your home and prevent future infestations. Contact us today for a consultation and say goodbye to those pesky roaches!

Call to Action

Don’t let cockroaches take over your home! If you’ve seen signs of a roach infestation or are dealing with a cockroach allergy, contact Palm Coast Pest Control for expert roach control. We’ll provide a thorough inspection, effective treatment, and long-term solutions to protect your home. Call us now for a free consultation!