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American Roach Appearance and Size Facts
American roaches are one of the largest species of cockroaches. If they enter your home, these roaches can damage your wallpaper, books, and clothing, and produce an unpleasant odor. Even more concerningly, these bugs carry harmful diseases, like dysentery, and contaminate your home during an invasion. Some of the key characteristics of the American cockroach include:
- Reddish-brown color
- Yellow markings behind the head
- Size: 1.5-2 inches in length
- Nocturnal and most active at night
- Feed on just about anything they can find
Identifying American Roaches from Other Cockroaches
When you think of the “average” cockroach, there’s a good chance you’re picturing the American roach. These are the latest type of periodomestic cockroaches, so are also probably one of the first common home pests you picture when you think of pests that make your skin crawl. If you see very large cockroaches in your home, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with American roaches.
To be certain of the type of cockroaches in your home and develop an effective treatment plan, you’ll want to speak with a pest professional. Just schedule your free inspection today to get help from one of Hulett’s entomologist-trained professionals!
Behavior and Habitat of American Roaches
The life cycle of an American Roach, from egg to adult, averages around 600 days, and an adult female will produce an average of 150 eggs in her lifetime. These cockroaches are nocturnal and most active at night.
American cockroaches prefer warm and humid environments, such as basements, sewers, crawl spaces, and areas around pipes and drains. Within visible areas of your home, you’ll most likely spot them in bathrooms or kitchens, looking for both moisture and food. In commercial spaces, infrequently used floor drains can also create an appealing point-of-entry for cockroaches.
Signs of Infestation of American Roaches
It’s helpful to be aware of the signs of a cockroach infestation so you can deal with the issue before it gets worse. You can spot droppings or egg casings under your refrigerator or stove, in cabinets, or on countertops. If you smell a musty odor anywhere in your home, especially the kitchen or bathroom, and/or see cockroaches around, you probably have an infestation on your hands. Because of the size of American cockroaches, the adults are hard to miss – you’ll most likely know if they wander out into the open!
Tips for Prevention of American Roaches
Store all your food in airtight containers, cover your garbage securely, and empty pet food and water bowls in the evening when cockroaches are most active. Also, remove standing water whenever possible. However, keep in mind that cockroaches will feed on anything, including cardboard, so eliminating all food sources will be nearly impossible; you’ll need to also focus on sealing up any holes and gaps around the exterior of your home to keep cockroaches from establishing a presence. Ongoing American Roach infestations can indicate a plumbing issue, so this may need to be investigated by the homeowner.
Getting Rid of American Roaches
For the best results, you should seek professional pest control intervention to remove cockroaches from your space. These pests are notoriously hardy and difficult to eliminate, so a comprehensive control and prevention plan is needed to keep your home free of American cockroaches. When treating these pests, you’ll also want to be careful to choose pet and family-friendly pest control solutions, like those offered by Hulett Environmental Services.
Effective American Roach Control Solutions
If you notice signs of an American Roach infestation or are struggling with an active infestation, just call Hulett! At Hulett, we offer pest control solutions that are guaranteed to get rid of your cockroach problems and keep your home happy and healthy!
American Roach Gallery
