Florida is a legendary state for many reasons. Those reasons are as myriad and diverse as the people living here. From the insane stories of various Florida Men in the news to our lizards that are as long as cars. Florida is a wild state with a lot going on. But there’s another thing people know Florida for, and that’s our cockroaches. So today, we’re gonna touch on how to keep them out of your home, signs of infestation, and what to do when you need help from a Pasco County cockroach exterminator.
Pasco County Cockroach Exterminator: What kind of cockroaches live in Florida?
In Florida, we have a serious cockroach problem. Why is that? Well, it’s a few reasons. For one, there’s twenty two million people in this state. That’s more people than New York! And our ecosystems in the state are perfect for bugs to thrive in. Not only do we have to contend with the pesky native species, but the invasive ones, too. So let us touch on a few of the most common home invading roaches you may run across as a homeowner in the Tampa Bay area.
American cockroach
Let’s start off with the largest and most dramatic species of roach you can find in Florida. Often mislabeled as the Palmetto Bug, the American cockroach can reach three inches in length- larger than any other species in the U.S. You can recognize American Cockroaches relatively easily. They have a reddish-brown mahogany shell, and have a bright yellow half ring at the base of their heads.
But their size isn’t the only alarming thing about these pest insects. American cockroaches are a species of roach that retain their wings into adulthood. And when they’re adults, those wings are fully developed and capable of flight. So it’s not an uncommon story in Florida to have a nearly four inch cockroach fly through your window at night if the thing is left open and the lights are on! American cockroaches are attracted to light and can often be found buzzing around and exploring porch lights outside.
Thankfully, this is a roach species you won’t often need a Pasco County cockroach exterminator for. One or two may wander in at a time, but this is a species that prefers the great outdoors.
German cockroaches
German cockroaches are one of the most common and troublesome pests found in homes and buildings worldwide. These small, light brown insects are notorious for their rapid reproduction and adaptability, making them a significant challenge to control.
German cockroaches are relatively small, measuring about 1.1 to 1.6 cm in length. They are light brown to tan in color and have two dark, parallel stripes running from the back of their heads to the base of their wings. Although they have wings, they rarely fly and are more likely to scuttle quickly across surfaces when disturbed.
These cockroaches thrive in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where food and moisture are readily available. They are nocturnal creatures, preferring to hide in cracks and crevices during the day and coming out to forage at night. Their ability to squeeze into tiny spaces makes them particularly difficult to detect and eliminate.
German cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on a wide variety of organic materials. They are particularly attracted to starches, sweets, grease, and meat, but in the absence of these, they can survive on items like soap, glue, and toothpaste. This adaptability in diet contributes to their resilience and persistence in human habitats.
German cockroaches are not just a nuisance; they also pose significant health risks. They are known to carry and spread various pathogens, including bacteria that can cause food poisoning, such as Salmonella and E. coli. Their shed skins and droppings can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, particularly in children and sensitive individuals.
Seeing one of these pests in your home is immediate cause for concern and warrants a call to your local Pasco County roach exterminator for sure.
florida woods cockroach
Many bugs in this state get called the palmetto bug. But there is one original palmetto bug, and it’s the Florida woods cockroach. Also known as the skunk roach or stink roach because of its foul odor, this is a very unique roach in the Sunshine State.
The Florida woods cockroach is relatively large, typically measuring between 1.2 to 1.6 inches (30-40 mm) in length. It has a dark brown to blackish-brown coloration, which can appear reddish-brown after molting. Unlike many other cockroach species, it lacks fully developed wings, making it incapable of flight. Instead, it has short, vestigial wings that extend just past the meconium (the dorsal plate behind the pronotum). This species is also known for its robust, oval-shaped body and slow movement, which contrasts with the more agile nature of other cockroaches.
The Florida Woods cockroach thrives in warm, damp environments. It is commonly found in outdoor locations such as under leaf litter, in tree holes, and beneath logs and boards. This species prefers subtropical and tropical climates, making Florida and the coastal areas of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi ideal habitats. Although it occasionally wanders indoors, especially into damp areas like bathrooms, it is not considered a major household pest.
Pasco County Cockroach Exterminator: What do I do if roaches get in my home?
If roaches are invading your home, the first thing you have to do is clean. If it’s a true infestation, it doesn’t take much food and water to keep the bug’s numbers rising. So, making sure to eliminate any sources of crumbs and food, water or leaky pipes, or entryways into your home are all very good ways of keeping their numbers down.
But, for a layman, fast reproducing and hardy insects are always gonna be tough to deal with. Especially when it comes to cockroaches, an animal that genuinely can squeeze its body down to the size of a quarter. Instead, visit our website at insectfree.com and let us show you why Earth’s Best has been in business in the area for three decades!
