Types of Cockroaches Found in Florida and How to Get Rid of Them

At Rodent Solutions, we understand the frustration of dealing with a cockroach infestation. In Florida, several types of cockroaches can invade your home. Each one requires a specific approach for effective elimination. There are over 4000 cockroach species worldwide, but in this article, we will discuss the five most common types of cockroaches found in the Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Parrish areas Florida.  

Types of Cockroaches in Florida

1. 1. American Cockroach – Also commonly referred to (incorrectly) as the Palmetto bug, the American cockroach is the largest cockroach species found in Florida. The American Cockroach can grow up to 2 inches in length and have a reddish-brown color. They are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

1. 1. German Cockroach – German cockroaches are smaller than American cockroaches, growing up to 0.6 inches in length. They are light brown in color with two black stripes on their backs. German cockroaches reproduce extremely quickly, making them a particularly difficult pest to eliminate. They are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. German cockroaches also love heat and humidity. Because of this, they are commonly found near heat-generating appliances such as the refrigerator. German cockroaches aggregate (crowd together), meaning if you miss these sites during a pest control treatment, the population will bounce back quickly.  German cockroaches detect and avoid many insecticides making hiring a professional pest control company even more important .  Of all the cockroaches pest control companies deal with, German Cockroaches are the ones we would never recommend a customer attempt to deal with themselves.  

1. 1. Smokybrown Cockroach – Smokybrown cockroaches are large and have a shiny, dark brown color. They are typically found in areas with high humidity, such as attics, crawl spaces, and gutters. These cockroaches can fly and are particularly attracted to lights.

1. 1. Asian Cockroach – The Asian cockroach is very similar in appearance to the German cockroach, but it can fly, making it more difficult to catch. These cockroaches are often attracted to light and can be found in large numbers in well-lit areas like porches and patios.

1. 1. Australian cockroaches are attracted to warm, humid environments and are commonly found in outdoor areas such as gardens, compost heaps, and woodpiles. However, they can also enter homes and buildings in search of food and water. Like other species of cockroaches, they are omnivorous and will eat a variety of organic matter, including plant material, garbage, and even other insects.

Preventing a Cockroach Infestation in Florida

Preventing a cockroach infestation in our coverage area of Florida (Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Sarasota, Parrish) requires a proactive approach. Here are some steps you can take (to help us, help you) to prevent cockroaches from entering your home:

• • Cleanliness: Sanitation is the key to pest control with most pests, particularly cockroaches.  

• • Seal up cracks and gaps: Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior. Seal these up to prevent pests from entering.

• • Keep your home dry: Cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Keeping your home dry can help prevent an infestation.  Often, leaky faucets or shower heads can provide a constant moisture source which will keep cockroaches coming back

• • Store food properly: Cockroaches can easily access open food containers. Store food in airtight containers to prevent these pests from accessing your food.

• • Items brought into your home from a storage facility, shed, attic, or garage should be inspected for roaches ahead of time.  If you open a box with cockroaches inside, they will scatter faster than you can catch them. This will start a new issue inside your home

• • Cardboard and paper:  Paper products such as cardboard boxes, newspapers, and magazines are favorite hiding spots for cockroaches.  Storing them in airtight containers or simply tossing them out is your best opportunity to prevent cockroaches from hiding inside them 

Pest Control to get rid of Cockroaches

Many customers think they have eliminated their issue by killing a few cockroaches they see with a store-bought spray. That spray will have no lasting impact on killing other cockroaches that didn’t come directly into contact with the spray.   Our pest control service will use a combination of baiting, crack and crevice treatments, regular pest treatments for the exterior, and other IPM (Integrated Pest Management) tactics.    

Our Experience and Training with Cockroaches

Working with a professional pest control company is essential to eliminate a cockroach infestation. At Rodent Solutions, our technicians have been trained at Pest Management University before beginning our company training protocol.   Our technicians have classroom knowledge and the hands-on, in-the-field experience necessary to identify the cockroach species in your home and develop a customized treatment plan to exterminate them.  If you have a cockroach issue at your home or commercial building, regular pest control service is the best way to prevent having an issue in the first place.  Contact us to ask about our treatment plans!