I’ve often said that a roach infestation is the most shocking one to have. They’re relatively large compared to most pests, and once a true infestation begins their numbers can balloon rapidly. Throw on top of that the fact that some of these roaches can fly, and none of them can fly well, and you have a recipe for trouble. Nothing like a two-inch bug flying into your face. That’s why today we’ll cover the Florida flying roaches. We’ll talk about the most intense infesting species, and which species have wings.
Florida Flying Roaches- Overview
Now, to start with we’ll be covering a few different species here. One of them isn’t a particularly strong flyer, but it is the most common infester of homes among roaches. So to start off our flying roach list we have the…
German Cockroach
German cockroaches are the most well-known indoor species of cockroach. They have a worldwide distribution as well, becoming nearly reliant on humans for survival. The adults are small for roaches, allowing them to move unseen before an infestation truly begins. The adults are easy to recognize thanks to their tan coloration and black, horizontal stripes found running down the backs of their heads.
These pests’ greatest strength is their ability to infest. They can hide in small spaces and hitch rides from infested areas in bags, boxes, and other infested items. One of the most common sources of infestation is used furniture. Second-hand electronics are also appealing to this bug. Bringing any used furniture in your home is a risk in the south, be it from bed bugs or roaches. Anywhere that food debris is left can sustain an infestation as well. These bugs are incredible survivors, and even a leaky pipe can be enough. Common areas of infestation are garbage cans, kitchen cabinets, and under sinks.
But their infestation signs are subtle initially. Their droppings are a good first indication, as small “pepper-like” material on counters or in dressers. Look for these along the tops of doors, around cracks in the walls, and in the corners of rooms. Also, egg capsules are an easy sign of infestation. The females of this species carry their egg cases before they’re ready to hatch, and discarded cases may be found in groups.
But, when it comes to flying, these aren’t the number one species. Sure they may be number one in many other aspects, but who can win them all? This species has small wings, but will only fly in a pinch. And when they’re up in the air, they have little to no control.
Palmetto Bug
Up next we have the famed Florida flying roaches legend, the palmetto bug. Though the term was originally used to describe the Florida woods roach, it’s found a new home with the American cockroach thanks to non-native’s confusion. The American cockroach is one of the largest species in the U.S., with adults being over three inches in length when fully grown. Outside of that, they’re reddish-brown or mahogany colored. The back of their heads is also outlined with a yellow band.
Both males and females of this species fly. But even though they’re stronger fliers than German roaches, it’s more like a glide than active flight. Also unlike the German cockroach, American cockroaches normally live outdoors. They prefer to live in warm, damp areas such as flower beds and under mulch. They also like living in trees as well. Outdoors, their diet consists of rotting leaves, wood particles, fungi, and algae. They’ll also forage small insects.
This member of the Florida flying roaches family will enter homes in pursuit of food and water. They also are attracted to lights and will fly in through open windows at night much like moths. They can also easily pass under doors and windows of weatherstripping is damaged. And despite preferring the outdoors, these pests are just as filthy as any other species of roach. Sure, these guys won’t tend to infest- but even one three inch cockroach running around in my pantry is too much in my opinion!
Florida Woods Roach
The true “palmetto bug” is the Florida woods cockroach. They earned that name because they’re often found hiding under palmetto leaves. They’re much smaller than the previous American roach, thankfully. The adults measure about an inch to an inch and a half long and up to one inch wide. They’re reddish brown to black, and appear wingless- though they have short wings.
This pest species prefer to live in damp, dark places with plenty of food to eat. Woods are obviously their number one choice of environment, hence the name. However, there are plenty of indoor spaces that they love to infest. These can include bathrooms, basements, under kitchen sinks, and in or around any leaky pipes in your home.
And while they’re not massively common infesters, they bring their own little set of annoyances. Outside of being known as palmetto bugs, you’ll find them referred to as stinking roaches. That’s thanks to the harmful chemicals they release from a gland under their abdomens. In nature, this is a vital defense due to their slow movement compared to other roaches. Once in your home though, the smell is difficult to remove and is minorly caustic to human skin.
Florida Flying Roaches: What To Do?
Now, some species of cockroach really don’t need much professional intervention. For example, the American cockroach likely can be captured and put back out into nature and that’s your infestation dealt with unless you are extremely unlucky.
However, other species such as the German cockroach can infest a home to such a level that they can start feeding on the rotting wood around your house and cause structural damage. If you think you have a true cockroach infestation, make sure to call a professional pest control specialist as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re taking a risk with your home and health. Sure, seeing and killing a handful of roaches will help. But the old saying goes, for every one roach you see there’s five you don’t.