8 Types of Roaches and How to Tell Them Apart

There are thousands of species of roaches worldwide, and over 50 reside in the United States. While roaches aren't deadly, certain types are prone to infesting homes and buildings, where they can cause property damage and transmit diseases like salmonella.

Most cockroaches in the U.S. live outside, but some prefer to reside indoors, where they reproduce quickly. So how do you tell the difference between the occasional cockroach invader and a serious roach infestation? By knowing the main differences between the most common types of roaches.

Common House Cockroaches

Roaches are one of the most common house pests. They are not only a nuisance, but dealing with an infestation can quickly become overwhelming. However, understanding these insects can help you better control their presence in your home.

Regardless of species, roaches are attracted to warm and humid environments, so it's important to keep your home well-ventilated, repair leaks, and reduce moisture. Once roaches become settled inside, they are notoriously difficult to eliminate, so prevention is key.

Here's a list of some of the most common types of roaches:

German Cockroach

• Adults are light caramel colored with two dark, vertical stripes behind the head.
• They are about the size of a penny when fully grown.
• German cockroaches are fast runners.
• Younger roaches (nymphs) are smaller, darker, and oval-shaped.
• They are commonly found in cracks and crevices around homes and apartments, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• They are easily brought in on cardboard boxes from stores.

German cockroaches are a worldwide issue, and they are the most common type of cockroach found around homes, apartments, grocery stores, restaurants, and commercial buildings.

They do best when the temperature is around 70°F, but they can reproduce year-round inside. They lay more eggs and mature faster than other cockroaches, requiring only 36 days to mature in ideal conditions.

Whether you spot a single cockroach or several, identification is key, especially because roaches are commonly confused with other pests, and species will determine treatment.

Brown-banded Cockroach

• They are easy to confuse with German cockroaches.
• However, these roaches are less common than German roaches.
• They are small, between 3/8 to 1/2 inches (males may reach 5/8 inches long).
• The name applies more to nymphs (young roaches) than adults; adults are golden in color whereas nymphs are more varied with distinct dark marks.
• Males fly and are commonly found around light fixtures left on at night.
• This roach likes to infest apartments and multi-family housing.
• It prefers temperatures above 80°F.

Brown-banded cockroaches are found throughout the U.S. (except in cold climates) and are especially prevalent in buildings that keep the inside temperature high.

They are not limited to kitchens but have been nicknamed "furniture roaches" because they're found throughout the home on couches, under tables, and behind artwork.

Oriental Cockroach

• They are nicknamed "water bugs" because they like moist environments.
• Roaches measure about 1 inch long.
• Oriental cockroaches are shiny and brown to black.
• They are commonly found outside but can infest interiors, especially if moisture is present.
• They are not as shy as other species.
• These roaches are much slower than other species.

Often found in areas with ample organic debris, these roaches are most common in damp and cool spots; in places like the basement, crawlspace, garbage chute, and plumbing.

If you're concerned about oriental cockroaches, address any moisture issues, including leaks and damage from moisture.

American Cockroach

• They are sometimes called palmetto bugs.
• American cockroaches are common on ships and boats.
• They are the largest common cockroach, about 1 1/2 inches long when fully grown.
• American roaches spread throughout the world.
• They are rarely found in houses.

Like many cockroaches, American roaches are found in dark, damp places, like sewers and basements. They especially like hanging around plumbing and pipes.

Smokybrown Cockroach

• These roaches are also sometimes called palmetto bugs.
• They are 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches long when fully mature.
• Smokeybrown roaches are shiny and dark red-brown.
• Adults are more uniform in color than other types of roaches.
• This is a common pest in moist, warm states in the South and along the Gulf, especially in Florida.

These pests require constant moisture to avoid drying out, and while they may wander inside here and there, they prefer to be outdoors when it's warm.

Smokybrown cockroaches prefer to nest outside, in vegetation, and inside tree holes, but an attic with a moisture problem will do, too.

Australian Cockroach

• This is another roach sometimes called a palmetto bug.
• Confused for the American cockroach, this roach is slightly smaller (1 inch fully grown).
• It has light yellow-tan markings on the head and the outer edge of the wings.
• It lives outdoors but sometimes wanders inside.
• It's commonly found outdoors in Florida.

Found mostly in Florida and Southeastern states along the coast, these cockroaches can also be found further north in greenhouses and other artificial humid environments.

They can cause damage to plants, and if they make their way inside, they have been known to chew on clothing, book covers, and other items.

Florida Woods Cockroach

• This is another roach called a palmetto bug.
• This type is 1 to 1 1/2 inches long when fully grown.
• When it's disrupted, the roach sprays a strong, bad-smelling fluid, earning it the name of skunk roach.
• It's typically found in Florida.

While these roaches prefer the outdoors, they occasionally wander inside but are unlikely to infest. These warm-weather pests require heat and humidity for survival and ideal breeding conditions.

Turkestan Cockroach

• Turkestan roaches are about 1 inch long.
• Males are yellowish-tan; females are dark brown-black with small, light markings behind the head and on the wings.
• Females are often confused with Oriental roaches.
• This roach is found mostly outdoors.

These outdoor roaches prefer environments rich in decaying organic material, such as compost areas and rotting leaf piles.

While this roach is a relatively new species in the U.S., it is becoming more prevalent, especially in areas like southern California and west Texas.

Common Cockroach Look-Alikes

It's easy to confuse other pests for cockroaches, especially if you've never seen them up close. It's important to know other common roach look-alikes.

Pantry beetles and weevils are common in kitchens and pantries and frequently come home from the store hidden in bulk grain or flour. It's easy to assume that tiny bugs are young cockroaches but get a closer look and consider where you found them. They are probably pantry pests if you spot them in your rice, flour, or kitchen cabinets.

Western conifer seed bugs and brown marmorated stink bugs typically dwell outdoors but occasionally come indoors, especially in the spring and fall. Vacuum small amounts of these pests but if you notice large groups, call a local pest control company for advice.

Tips for Getting Rid of Roaches

With a bit of persistence and some preventative measures, you can ensure you've done everything possible to prevent roaches including simple, all-natural control measures.

• Call a professional exterminator to eradicate cockroaches as they can determine the source of the infestation.
• Use household items such as baking soda, borax, and diatomaceous earth to keep cockroaches at bay.
• Make sure food is properly stored in airtight containers and items prone to moisture and condensation are not accessible to bugs.
• Keep counters and floors clean of crumbs and food debris that might be enticing to roaches.
• Fix any leaks and cracks, and wipe up any spills as cockroaches are drawn to moisture.
• Seal pipes and windows in humid rooms in the house to prevent any access to water.
• Use adhesive traps to lure cockroaches out of hiding.