Down here in the south we have what you might call a bug problem. It’s unpleasant and we don’t like to talk about it, but unfortunately, we do. Florida is a great state to live in with plenty of sunshine and warmth all around. But that also means that bugs don’t really have a large threat to their population. And the one pest that takes possibly the greatest advantage of that is the cockroach. That’s why today we’ll talk about some cockroach infestation signs, and what you can do to keep this pest from ruining your new home or apartment.
Cockroach Infestation Signs: What kind of cockroaches live in Florida?
Before we get into the actual cockroach infestation signs, let’s talk about a few of the different species of roach you can get down here in Florida. Unfortunately, cockroaches thrive in humid subtropical environments like the one in Florida. And with plenty of woods, swamps, and ditches the outdoor species have plenty of room to roam. They’re not the problem, however. Instead, it’s the indoor species. They’re attracted to the massive number of waste-creating humans in the state as we reach a level of population teetering on the bridge of overpopulation. And whenever you have too many humans in one spot, you’ll have plenty of things roaches love. Homes, businesses, and more garbage cans and dumpsters than you can shake a stick at.
Combine that with the shipping industry in Florida and you can see why there are nearly a hundred species of cockroach in this state from all over the world. They arrive on the boats and thrive in the human filth. Let’s cover some of the more common species you can expect to see down in the Sunshine State.
aMERICAN cOCKROACHES, aKA “PALMETTO BUGS”
First on our list is a victim of mistaken identity. American cockroaches aren’t actually the original bug known as palmetto bugs. Those are actually the Florida woods roach. The American cockroach, however, is no less impressive than any other species. It is, in fact, one of the largest in the United States, oftentimes reaching over 3 inches in length. These roaches are reddish brown or a kind of light mahogany in coloration.
Another exceptional, and horrifying, fact about this cockroach is that both males and females are able to fly. They’re not strong fliers, and almost never go in the direction they intend, but when startled these roaches will launch themselves into the air as hard as they can and just fly forward, leading to many horrifying collisions with people’s chests and heads. These guys leave pretty obvious cockroach infestation signs through their behavior alone.
Thankfully, these pests usually only end up inside on accident. American cockroaches, even the giant Florida versions, prefer to live outdoors. You’re more likely to find these pests in flowerbeds and compost piles. If you see them inside, there’s a chance that they just happened to wander in through an open window, a crack in the house, or loose areas around pipes that roaches can push through.
Basement windows and garages are also common entryways. Once inside, these bugs will congregate around areas where they can get water. So expect to see them underneath and inside of sinks under your cabinets, also scrounging for any food available to them.
German Cockroaches
Up next we have someone you can’t exclude if you’re talking about cockroach infestation signs. Why? Well, the simple fact is these may be the single most numerous and infestations species of cockroach out there. And they’re known as the German cockroaches. Adults of this species are easy to identify. They’re lighter than other roaches and light brown or tan in coloration with two black stripes located immediately behind the head. The young of the species are darker, almost black, but still have those distinctive stripes.
The adults are medium sized compared to other roaches. You’ll usually find them ranging about an inch or so in length. And the adults have wings, though they rarely fly as they’re small and underdeveloped. One of the reasons these roaches are so prevalent is that they’re supreme omnivores and scavengers, able to consume things like toothpaste and dish soap.
These pests live in their own filth. They poop right where they sleep and don’t care much about it either way. Because of this, wherever they go they spread germs in their path. Bacteria that cause food poisoning and dysentery are known to live on these roaches and in their feces.’
Cockroach Infestation Signs
Now, the one upside to a cockroach infestation is that they’re kind of obvious. Why is that an upside you ask? Well, at least if you find them quickly you’ll be able to get rid of them and get the help you need sooner! You’ll often find cockroaches dwelling in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. So let’s get into a few things to look out for in the realm of cockroach infestation signs.
Starting off is their droppings. They resemble anything from tiny pepper specs to little black pellets. A large amount of them in one place is a clear sign of infestation. Look out for droppings in drawers, behind appliances, or in places like crumb catchers in toasters.
Foul odors are another sign of roach infestations. Some species of cockroach are known to emit a musty, unpleasant odor that lingers and gets worse as an infestation gets larger. The best way to describe the smell of a cockroach infestation is “musty”.
Daytime cockroach activity is the third and most obvious sign of an infestation. If you see cockroaches out during the day, even dead ones, then you’ve likely got an infestation on your hands. These pests are primarily nocturnal, so if you see them out when the sun is up that’s likely because there’s already a pretty heavy infestation in your home. If you noticed one of these signs multiple times, or several of them together, you may want to consider getting a pest control specialist on your side, because a real infestation of roaches is difficult to get rid of on your own.
