Cockroaches are the common types of pests that you are likely to meet both indoors and outdoors. There are over 4000 different species of cockroaches in the world. But do you know the different types, how to identify, what they look like, behaviors and characteristics? Find out more in this post.
What types of roaches are those that can be found in your house? If you have an infestation of roaches in your home, the most common types include the German, American, oriental and brown-banded cockroach. But in most cases, the German cockroaches are the ones likely to invade your home. They are the most common type.
An infestation of cockroaches can be annoying. Getting rid of cockroaches requires you to understand their behaviors, characteristics and how they roaches look like with pictures. So, what is the worst type of cockroach one to have? Do we have cockroaches that can fly? Keep on reading to learn more.
Read also: How to Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Kitchen Cabinets – Home Remedies, Naturally & Instantly
What are the General Characteristics of Cockroaches?
Identifying a cockroach shouldn’t be hard. It is quite easy to do. Roaches have flat bodies. In terms of color they tend to vary ranging from green, brown and close to black. Roaches have two long antennae that helps to smell and find food. Theses insects have six legs. Cockroaches have their size of bodies ranging from ½ an inch to 2 inches longs. Although they have visible wings, not all of them have the ability to fly.
Cockroaches are known to withstand harsh weather conditions such as extreme cold. Did you know cockroaches can hold their breath for about 45 minutes or even live for a week without their head?
Roaches are also fast. They have the ability to run up to 3 miles per hours. Their nymphs are nearly as fast the adult roaches.
Cockroaches are also able to survive without water for almost 2 weeks and without food nearly to a month.
In terms of reproduction, they are known for rapid breeding. A one female cockroach can give to nearly 30000 new cockroaches in just one year. Amazing!
Different Categories of Cockroaches –Domestic and Peridomestic Cockroaches
Cockroaches are divided into main categories as either domestic or peridomestic.
The domestic types are those that live near humans. They include the German, brown-branded cockroach. They can only survive when they are close to people. It is uncommon to see them in the wild.
Peridomestic cockroaches are those that live in the wild. They don’t need humans to survive. But if the weather is extremely harsh like it is too cold, they tend to move into your homes for shelter. They include the American and the oriental cockroaches.
Cockroaches can pose a serious health risk. It is important to get rid of these pests as soon as you can. They are known to spread pathogens, viruses, salmonella bacteria. People with allergies and asthma tend to suffer more from the presence of cockroaches.
Different Types of Cockroaches- How to Identify
In this section we will discuss on the different types of cockroach species and how to identify them.
German Cockroach
They are about half on inch long. Their color is light brown with two vertical stripes behind the head. They have six legs and two antennae with wings.
Where do German cockroaches live? Their common habitat is in warm and moist areas usually under dishwashers, near kitchen cabinets, drawers, bathroom etc.
Brown-banded Cockroach
They are about ½ an inch long. Their color is reddish-brown and have wings too. They have conspicuous bandings across the wings. They are one of the smallest roaches just like the German roaches.
They live in warm and dry areas. Commonly found in dressers, closets, inside electronics and behind picture frames.
American Cockroach
Their bodies ranges from 1.5 to 2 inches long. They have long antennae with reddish-brown body. They also have a yellow band right behind the head with shiny wings.
Where do they live? They are commonly found outdoors but sometimes they can invade the basement, kitchens or sewer.
Read also: American Cockroaches, Facts, Information, How to Get Rid Instantly, Naturally & Home Remedies
Oriental Cockroach
They are large in size. Their color ranges from dark brown to black. The males have wings while the females don’t. They have a distinctive pungent odor.
Where do oriental cockroaches live? They prefer dwelling in dark, damp and cool places. Also found in refrigerators, near leaky pipes etc. They are also referred to as “water bugs”
Smoky Brown Cockroach
They can grow up to 2 inches long. In terms of color they appear almost black and shiny but not as shiny as the American cockroach. They commonly live outdoors but can also infest inside with firewood.
Asian Cockroach
They resemble more a lot like the German cockroach. Their body color is light brown with bold dark stripes behind the head.
They live outdoors but they are also found inside since they are attracted to light. You will see them fly to lamps and TV screens.
What do Different Types of Cockroach Look Like? – Pictures
Here are the pictures of the common types of cockroaches. The pictures are to help you identify each type of cockroach species.
What Are the Worst Types of Cockroach to Have?
Dealing with any kind of cockroach infestation is annoying. It is unpleasant experience trying to eliminate these filthy insects. The fact that they reproduce in multiples, it can be overwhelming and also frustrating.
But what are worst types of cockroaches to have. German cockroaches have been rated as the possibly the worst one there. There are reasons for this.
First, German cockroaches reproduce at faster rate than any other types of roaches. Their nymphs mature to adulthood in just 3 months, while the other types need around 12 months. A single female German cockroach can lay up to 30 eggs once.
The fact that German cockroaches prefer to live around people makes them horrible types of roaches to encounter. Other types would prefer living outdoors. They may not therefore be a really cause for concern.
German cockroaches eat almost anything. They are not picky. They fact that they have sticky pads on their feet, they can easily climb even on smooth surfaces looking for something to eat.
They are cause for concern when it comes to your health. These insects might be carrying dysentery, salmonella etc. They may transmit these diseases to you. Their poop and rotting exoskeletons can trigger allergic reactions. This can worsen a person suffering from asthma..
Read also:German Roaches, Pictures, How to Get Rid Fast, Naturally, Home Remedies
Bugs that Look Like Cockroaches
There are bugs that one can easily confuse for cockroaches. To get rid of cockroaches successfully, you must learn to differentiate these insects from roaches.
Here are some of the bugs that look like roaches:
Cockroaches VS. Beetles
It is so easy for one to come across a beetle and mistake it for a cockroach. With different types of beetles, some may look exactly like roaches. For instance, a June bug although the antennae and legs are somehow longer. The wings of roaches are clearly visible than those of June bugs.
June bugs appear rounder than roaches. Like nearly all the June bug species are attracted to light unlike to roaches. Unlike roaches, some beetles can bite.
Cockroaches VS. Water Bugs
Some section of people call some types of cockroaches as “water bugs”. The fact is these two insects are totally different. Water bugs are known to live in water. Unlike cockroaches, water bugs lack antennae and their front legs have pincers. They are attracted to light. Cockroaches feed on almost anything but water bugs are predators. Cockroaches are slightly smaller than water bugs. In fact, they can grow up to 4 inches.
Cockroaches vs Bed Bugs
It is so easy to mistake bed bugs for cockroaches especially baby roaches. Although they may appear to be similar in size, bed bugs tend to be rounder and shorter.
Cockroaches vs. Termites
Cockroaches and termites might be close in resemblance but unlike roaches, termites have shorter antennae, a soft body and slightly smaller than the roaches. A termite is about ¼ of an inch and ½ inch long.
Cockroaches eat almost anything but termites live inside walls and will only eat wood and paper.
Cockroaches VS. Crickets
Crickets have a more cylindrical shape; long legs that aid in jumping. They tend to produce chirping sound. Unlike cockroaches, crickets rarely invade your homes. Cockroaches tend to run away or fly but a cricket will jump.
Do Cockroaches Fly?
All types of cockroaches species have wings. But do they fly? Absolutely Not! Not all of the different cockroach species discussed above can fly. While some can fly, other prefer not to fly but use their wings to glide from a higher region to lower on. For Instance, German and oriental roaches do not have the ability to fly. American cockroaches can fly but they too would rather use their wings to glide.
Types of Flying Roaches.
Flying cockroaches include the Asian and Smoky brown roaches. They are attracted to light. But it is quite impossible to notice these flying roaches since roaches are naturally nocturnal. But if the infestation is severe, you may notice a few flying around.
Flying roaches use their wings to enter your house through open windows and doors especially in the evening as soon as it begins to get dark.
