Types of cockroaches: Cockroaches are insects that can live in any environment on Earth. There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world, and there are more than 50 species in America. These insects are mostly found in warm, humid places where food and moisture are readily available. Cockroaches spread bacteria such as salmonella and can aggravate allergies or asthma. Cockroaches grow very quickly, so they are difficult to eliminate. To remove them, cleaning is most important, and professional pest control and insecticides should be used. In today’s article, let’s get to know 8 common cockroaches.
8 types of cockroaches and their identification
German cockroach: It is the most common cockroach in the world. Adults are light caramel in colour. They have two black stripes on the back of their heads and are approximately the size of a penny. They move very quickly and give birth frequently. The female can give birth to hundreds of babies in one year. These appear mostly in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas. Pest control is necessary to remove them.
Brown-banded cockroach: They are smaller than German cockroaches, are light brown to golden in color and have distinctive stripes on their wings and abdomen. Male cockroaches are about 1 to 1.5 cm long, have wings, can fly, and can sometimes be seen near lights at night. They live at temperatures above 26 degrees Celsius. These are found in apartments and heated buildings.
Oriental cockroach: These cockroaches are found in damp, dark places such as basements, crawl spaces, drains, and garbage areas. They move slowly and can grow up to 2.5 cm long. These beetles are often confused with each other. They like cool places and are most active at night. They usually live outside but can get inside the house due to humidity.
American cockroach: Also called the palmetto bug, it is one of the largest cockroaches. It is 4 cm long and reddish-brown in colour. It has long antennae and lives in warm, dark and damp places such as sewers, basements and boiler rooms. They are not often seen in homes but can contaminate food and surfaces. Because of the rotting things, they bring in harmful bacteria.
Smoky brown cockroach: It is also a large cockroach, and is dark red-brown and shiny in color. A fully grown cockroach is 3.5 cm long. In the southern parts of America, especially Florida and the Gulf states, it is found in warm and humid environments. They need constant moisture to survive.
Australian cockroach: It is a tropical cockroach, similar in appearance to the American cockroach, but smaller in size. There are light yellow markings on the sides of its head and wings. These are especially found in coastal and southern states and can also be seen in greenhouses or damp places.
Florida Woods Cockroach: These cockroaches thrive in warm, moist environments and are usually found on rotting wood, under leaves, or near tree trunks. These rarely appear in homes.
Turkestan cockroach: There is a new variant in the United States that is spreading rapidly, especially in western and southern states such as Texas and California. Male cockroaches are light brown in color and have long wings, while female cockroaches are dark in color and have wider wings. It measures 2.5 cm long. These cockroaches live outside in compost, garden waste, and tree leaves. They prefer dry weather but can enter a home through cracks or doors.
