Everyone knows about cockroaches. At this point, they’ve almost become shorthand for pests themselves. They’re creepy, unsanitary and notoriously difficult to eradicate. But not all roaches are the same, there are actually multiple different types cockroach species out there, eager to crawl into houses and make homeowners lives miserable. Since all these species can get a bit confusing, here’s a guide to help.

American Cockroach

American cockroaches are reddish brown and are located throughout the United States. The American cockroaches thrive best in warmer climates, preferring about 70 degrees, but they can live in colder climates if necessary. Of the ‘house-infesting’ cockroaches, the American cockroach is the largest and they prefer humid, damp environments like sewers, basements, pipes and drains.

Brownbanded Cockroach

Brownbanded cockroaches are also found in the United States, but unlike the American cockroach, the brownbanded cockroach prefers drier, less humid environments, and frequents cabinets and garages over sewers and bathrooms. The brownbanded cockroach gets its name from two brown bands they have wrapped around their abdomens. They have wings as well, with the male’s wings being larger than the females. Brownbanded cockroaches hide their egg cases under pieces of furniture.

German Cockroach

Despite their name, German cockroaches are also found in the United States and are tan, oval-shaped and have two dark stripes on their backs. German cockroaches are the most frequent cockroaches to invade houses and the cockroach most often to cause illnesses and allergic reactions in people. Similar to the American cockroach, the German cockroach prefers warm and humid environments and is often found crawling around bathrooms and kitchens.

Oriental Cockroach

Oriental cockroaches are entirely black and have a glistening outer coating. They are also found in the United States, however, mostly in the North. Oriental cockroaches traverse through many different locations. They can be found in sewers or entering buildings through drains, living in garages, crawl spaces and basements, and they also sometimes inhabit leaf piles and stacks of firewood outside. Some of the nicknames they go by are ‘water bugs,’ because of their tendency to crawl out of drains, and ‘black beetles,’ because of their dark reflective appearance. They are notorious for their filth and emit a strong stench.

While there are many different types of roaches, there’s only one thing you need to do if you find them in your home: Go to Ideal Pest Control for quality extermination services. For more information on roaches, or any other pests giving you trouble, contact us today!