What Are Common Species of Cockroaches?
As we mentioned above, there are thousands of species of cockroaches out there. Cockroaches can normally be found in buildings and homes because they tend to prefer warm and cozy environments. These pesky little insects can cause allergies and even trigger asthma attacks in humans, and they can be especially harmful to children. They can also spread nearly 33 different kinds of bacteria in your home.
Let’s take a look at some common species of cockroaches below.
The American Cockroach
Also known as periplaneta americana, the American cockroach can be found throughout homes along the Front Range. It is one of the largest cockroaches found in Colorado homes and it is believed to have been introduced to the United States in the 1600s. When these pesky insects get inside your home, they will carry a disturbing amount of bacteria and germs with them. This can lead to food contamination and allergic reactions of the skin.
These adult cockroaches can grow up to three inches in length, and they have a reddish brown color, with an area behind their head that is outlined in yellow. When females lay eggs, each egg capsule can contain up to 16 eggs at a time. When the tiny eggs hatch, the baby nymph cockroaches will come out and eventually shed their skin. If there is plenty of food for them to feast on, the American cockroach can develop from a tiny egg to a full-fledged adult in five-and-a-half months.
Like other kinds of cockroaches, the American cockroach is often found outdoors. These pests prefer warm and damp areas like flower beds and mulch. In other areas of the United States, people refer to these bugs as “palmetto bugs” because they also like to reside in trees. These tiny bugs can easily pass under doors, through basement windows, and even the garage door. They prefer to eat leaves, fungi, and tiny wood particles, as well as small insects.
The Brown-Banded Cockroach
The brown-banded cockroach, also called supella longipalpa, is another type of cockroach that can be found in Colorado. As one of the smallest species of cockroaches, these insects can only reach 11 to 15 millimeters in length. This unique species received its name from the light brown bands that are present on the wings of the adults. Brown-banded cockroaches tend to thrive in areas with warm temperatures, and they often enter homes seeking shelter or food during the colder months. These tiny insects will feast on anything from trash to cereal to drapes and wallpaper.
The brown-banded cockroach is known to carry a number of health risks, so it’s important to call your local pest control company if you notice any signs of infestation. This cockroach species has been found to carry and spread harmful bacteria and protozoa, which can lead to gastroenteritis and diarrhea in humans. These roaches are also able to transfer disease organisms that can lead to food poisoning.
The German Cockroach
The German cockroach is often found in safe, indoor spaces. These cockroaches are easy to recognize due to their light brown or tan coloration, with two black horizontal stripes that can be found behind the head. They can grow to be between 13 and 16 millimeters, and they are among the smaller species of these unwanted pests. In homes, these cockroaches may be found in kitchens and bathrooms, as they prefer warm and humid environments. As true life scavengers, these cockroaches are capable of feeding on virtually anything. This may include soap, pantry food, and books.
If you start to notice small pepper-like droppings around your home, you may have a German cockroach infestation. Fecal staining can appear in dark spots or smears, and you can normally find them along the tops of doors or around small cracks in the walls.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
If the name of this cockroach scares you, it should. The Madagascar hissing cockroach, also known as gromphadorhina portentosa, is among one of the largest species of cockroaches out there. These insects are native to Madagascar, and they prefer to live in moist and tropical areas. These pests can grow up to eight centimeters in length, and they are brown in color and wingless. The males have large pronotal humps on their thorax, and they tend to have bushier antennae than their female counterparts.
As you may have guessed, the Madagascar hissing cockroach will hiss when it is alarmed or disturbed. They produce this sound by expelling air through tiny slits that can be found in their abdomen. The male cockroach tends to be particularly aggressive, and they like to feed on vegetables and other kinds of decaying organic matter.
The Oriental Cockroach
Also called blatta orientalis, the Oriental cockroach tends to vary in both size and appearance. The male species can grow to be up to 25 millimeters long, with three-quarter-length wings. The female species can grow up to 32 millimeters in length, but they do not have wings. Both the male and female have a shiny black to dark-reddish color, making them easy to identify by a pest control specialist.
Like most cockroach species, the Oriental cockroach prefers homes with damp, dark, and sheltered areas. These little pests like to travel through sewers, coming up through your home’s pipes and drains. The Oriental cockroach can also be found in outdoor plants. They’ll eat almost anything, and they tend to reside in sink drains, garbage disposals, and cabinets that contain plumbing. These insects can be a source for a variety of food-borne pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella.
The Smokybrown Cockroach
The smokybrown cockroach is very common in the southeast region of the United States. Often found in central Texas, the smokybrown cockroach has also been found as far north as Colorado. It gets its name from its brownish-black color, and adults can reach up to 38 millimeters in length. You can find these cockroaches outdoors, since they prefer warm and moist areas that are protected from the elements.
Many people in northern Colorado have found these cockroaches in their tree holes, mulch beds, and gardens.
The smokybrown cockroaches tend to be the most active at night, when insects have left their hiding places in search of food and water. These opportunistic roaches will utilize any food available, including human scraps, other insects, and even plants.
If you’ve started to notice creepy crawlers in or around your home or business, it’s important to seek a professional pest control solution right away. At Colorado Pest Management, our pest control specialists are well versed in the various cockroach species available. When we visit your home, we’ll take the time to conduct a thorough inspection of your home before recommending the pest solution for your space.
