While cockroaches may appear harmless, they can spread bacteria and make your home unsanitary. Homeowners and renters must understand what these insects look like and where they live, so they know when to call for pest control to mitigate the risk of contamination. Here are the five types of bugs that are commonly found in Missouri.

What Cockroaches Live in Missouri? 

1. Oriental

Blatta orientalis are typically dark brown or black and grow to be an inch long. The males have tiny wings, and the females are wingless. Adults may reach 15-months-old, and eggs can take two months to develop. You may find oriental cockroaches inside and outside homes in large groups near high-moisture areas, like drains or hoses. 

2. Wood

Parcoblatta spp includes several species, but the most common live indoors near wood. You may spot these winged, inch-long, dark brown insects by firewood inside homes or along wooden siding.

3. American

Periplaneta americana is the largest cockroach in the country. The red-brown insects can reach one and a half inches long and often feature a tannish band behind the head. These bugs are usually found in commercial locations that feature food, like grocery stores and restaurants. Owners of these locations must schedule regular pest control appointments to eliminate these insects.

4. Brownbanded

Supella longipalpa are small, winged cockroaches that may be up to half an inch long. The insects are brownish red with tan stripes and live in small groups. A pest control technician may find them behind wall art and picture frames or inside electrical equipment like stereos or DVD players.

5. German

Blattella germanica are tan and light brown and often have wings with two stripes behind the head. The 3/4-inch-long bugs prefer to live in large groups in dark areas of kitchens, like inside cabinets or underneath appliances.

If you spot these bugs in your home or business, call Jackson & Eagle Pest Management in Howell County, MO. Their expert technicians have more than 120 combined years of experience addressing bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, fleas, wasps, mice, and other insects and rodents. Call the West Plains-Area pest management team at (417) 256-6286 today, or visit their website for information on their pest control services for homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities.