Down here in the south, we have everything you need for a good time. Sunny beaches, shady parks, lively and historic downtown districts. But what we have here in Florida that even other southern states can’t touch is bug diversity. You’ll find anything that creeps and crawls down here. The simple fact is that roaches love the sunshine state. That’s why today we’ll talk about a few of the worst offenders and touch on which roach species is the most giant Florida roach in the state.
Biggest Florida Roach species: Overview
Before we get into the various individual species and their size specs, let’s touch on why there’s just such a variety of them in Florida, to begin with. The number one reason is simple, really. There are so many roach species in Florida because they’re attracted to the warm and human climate of the state. I mean, it’s called the Sunshine State for a reason! And on top of that, there are over twenty-two million people in the state. With so many humans, you have heaps and heaps of trash that get made every day. Many roaches are actually beneficial species in the state because of that since they clean up the environment by eating human waste discarded outdoors.
So not only do you have the perfect environment for them here, you also have to consider their reproductive cycles. Female roaches can reproduce at rates that are frankly alarming. For example, one female of the German species of cockroach can have more than three hundred thousand young in one year. And those roaches she gives birth to reach maturity in only thirty-six days and begin to produce their own offspring!
Home cockroach infestations are common as well. That’s partially due to the ecosystem of Florida. Even in the middle of the city, you’re never too far away from some swamps or woodlands. And failing that, the human pest species will come from the sewers or the dumpster out back. The long and short of it is that this state is perfect for bugs, especially roaches. And if you live here, expect to deal with at least one of the biggest Florida roach species during your time in the Sunshine State!
Biggest Florida Roach: The Species
Now, in Florida, some of the most common species include the American, German, and Florida Woods cockroaches. We’ll touch on these three specifically because they have special significance. Starting off, we’ll touch on the famous Palmetto bug!
Palmetto bug/ Florida Woods Roach
Florida cockroaches are large but not the largest in the state. These bugs get roughly up to an inch to an inch and a half long. They’re also wide for roaches, often about an inch wide on top of that length. Known to natives as the true palmetto bug, you can often find this species of Florida’s most giant roach hiding under the leaves of the tree of the same name.
They are similar in appearance to another species known as oriental cockroaches. They’re larger, however, and have less developed wings. Not only that, but these are not common home infesters. Florida woods roaches prefer to live outdoors and tend to end up inside houses by mistake. This pest is also commonly referred to as the stinking cockroach. To ward off predators, Florida woods cockroaches release harmful chemicals from a gland under their abdomens. This defense is vital to their survival, as the pests are slow-moving compared to other species.
These roaches prefer dead and decaying plant materials, mold, moss, and rotting wood when it comes to their diet.
Palmetto Bug 2: American Cockroach
Up next is the bug that’s known to non natives as the palmetto bug. The confusion likely comes from the sheer size of these creepy, crawly pests. While not quite as wide or unique looking as the Florida woods roach, these false palmetto bugs are huge! Large members of this species can reach over three inches in length. On top of that, this species is known as fliers as well. But not strong fliers! They tend to lose control mid air, and are known to barrel directly toward a person.
These guys truly have the title of the biggest Florida roach species. Thankfully, however, they usually live outdoors. They prefer warm, damp areas like flowerbeds and under mulch. People in many parts of the United States call them “palmetto bugs” because they live on trees. American cockroaches are very common in the sewer systems of many American cities.
American cockroaches enter homes to find water or food. They can easily pass under doors if the weather stripping is damaged. Basement windows and garages are also common entryways. When American cockroaches enter homes, they often go to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.
Outdoors, American cockroaches eat leaves, tiny wood particles, fungi, and algae. They also eat small insects. Indoors, American cockroaches forage under appliances, drains, kitchen cabinets, and on the floor. They eat crumbs, scraps of food, and spilled food that they find. They will also eat pet food that is left out overnight.
German Cockroaches
And finally, we have the worst offenders on this list. And while not a contender for Biggest Florida Roach, they’re the biggest infesters of human homes!
This species is easily recognized by its light brown or tan coloration, with two black stripes located immediately behind the head. The young of the species are darker, almost black in coloration. These guys reach about half an inch to an inch in length and have wings but prefer to run rather than fly.
This species of roach is actually found indoors more than out, so if you see a German cockroach in your home, consider contacting a pest control specialist for help. These roaches are also supreme scavengers, eating everything from soap to toothpaste to book bindings. You’ll find them in the warmer and wetter areas of the house. These include places like kitchens, bathrooms, and under sinks. If food and moisture are available elsewhere, they’ll also move to those sources. So the second you see a roach, call some pest control! It’s just that simple when you live in Florida.
