The last thing any homeowner wants to experience is a cockroach infestation. Unfortunately, these pests are known to invade households year-round. Even seeing one crawling across your floor or countertop is enough to call an exterminator, as these stealthy creatures can pose a serious health risk to humans. There are a few kinds of roaches which could appear in your home, so keep an eye out for any of the following.

3 Cockroaches You Could See in Your Home

1. American 

These cockroaches are one of the largest species to get inside homes. They generally range from 1 3/8 of an inch to 2 1/8 of an inch in length. They are reddish-brown and oval-shaped with two antennae, six legs, and a slimy shell. People can often identify an American roach by the thorn-like spines on their legs and yellowish marking on the top of their backs, close to the head. They mostly eat vegetables, plants, and proteins, such as dead bugs and animals. They like locations that are dark, warm, and have high humidity levels, such as basements and storage areas.

2. German

German cockroaches have an almond-shaped body and are tan in color. They have six legs and two antennae along with two parallel black lines on the back of their head, which is often noted as their most distinguishable characteristic. They are on the smaller side, usually only growing to about 5/8 of an inch long. German roaches are drawn to anything with a sweet taste and also enjoy starches from items like wallpaper paste and books. Typically, they prefer to live in kitchens and bathrooms, but they can be found lurking anywhere in a home.

3. Oriental

Despite its name, the Oriental cockroach originates from Africa, not Asia. It’s fairly large in size, but not quite as big as the American roach. It has a reputation for being one of the dirtiest roach species due to all the time it spends in sewer lines and drainpipes. Oriental roaches are shaped like a pill, black, and shiny, and some have wings covering their back, but they don’t fly. They prefer to consume trash and wet organic matter and can be found living in cold temperatures and damp places, including crawlspaces, damp firewood, and humid basements.

Since each kind of cockroach has its own lifecycle and breeding habits, identification is an essential step in eliminating an infestation. With a professional exterminator from Collins Exterminating on your side, you can have peace of mind knowing your roach problems will be taken care of in an efficient manner. For nearly 60 years, the family-owned business has been protecting Bolivar, MO, homes from unwanted guests and the hazards they present. They will thoroughly inspect your Polk County property to determine how best to address your pest issues and prevent future invasions. Call (417) 326-2124 to request an estimate, or visit them online for more information on the services they offer.