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Cockroaches have various common names including water bugs, croton bugs, and palmetto bugs. There are at least 69 different cockroaches species found in the United States. Outside, cockroaches are decomposers, feeding on dead or dying plants and animals. However, they are considered pests when they interact with people, invading lawns, and gardens or entering homes and other structures. More importantly, they can affect human health by spreading diseases, such as Salmonella, and ruin materials such as books, clothes, and food.

Cockroaches secrete an oily liquid that has an offensive and sickening odor. This odor may also be imparted to dishes that are apparently clean, food, and clothes. Excrement in the form of pellets or an inklike liquid also contributes to this nauseating odor. Additionally, cockroaches produce allergens, which include their feces, shed skins, and body parts such as antennae and legs. In susceptible individuals, rashes, other allergic reactions, and in extreme cases death from asthma attacks.

The cockroaches most commonly found in and around Florida homes are the Florida woods roach, American, Smokybrown, brown, Australian, German, Asian and brownbanded are close to the same size, and the adults are seldom more than 5/8 inch long. The larger cockroaches American, Australian, brown, and the smokybrown are 1 – ¼ to 2 inches long and are often called palmetto bugs. Though they are generally found outdoors, they can become indoor problems when they migrate or are carried indoors. The largest cockroach, the Florida woods roach, will also enter dwellings from outside. Outdoor cockroaches do not survive well indoors, and many times people overreact to the presence of these cockroaches. Often, removal of these outdoor cockroaches from the house is all that is needed for control.

Florida woods cockroach

American cockroach 

Smokybrown cockroach

Brown cockroach

Australian cockroach

German cockroach

Asian cockroach

Brownbanded cockroach

If you are finding any of the types of cockroaches above please call GreenTec Pest Control (727) 847-6733 for a free inspection. 

Check back next week for more information on Florida cockroaches.  

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