While no on likes ants, rodents, wasps, or spiders, cockroaches still take the gold metal for being the grossest of all pests! Not only are they super hard to get rid of, their small bodies can squeeze through most cracks, getting into your pantry and kitchen drawers. Of the 6 types of Cockroaches you’ll find in North America, here are the three most common that you may find in your backyard and home.

German Cockroaches

Of all the species of cockroaches, the German Cockroach is by far the most common. These little pests have 6 legs and are typically 1/2 – 5/8 inches long, or roughly the size of a penny. Their semi compact-able outer skeleton makes it easy for these small cockroaches to easily fit into tiny openings and cracks. Because of this, these little buggers can find their way to just about anything!

One of the best ways to prevent an infestation of German roaches is by sealing all of your food and not leaving anything out for more than a day. Once in your home simply cleaning the house and sealing you food wont be enough to get rid of them, as they can eat soap, grease, toothpaste, oil, and even glue! These are also one of the fastest reproducing or all the species, with one female capable of laying 8 eggs in their 20-30 week lifetime, with each egg containing up to 48 cockroaches! That’s a lot or roaches in a short period of time. If not taken care of soon, you can have a major problem on your hands in just a couple of weeks.

Oriental Cockroaches

Slightly bigger than the German Cockroach, the Oriental Cockroach is typically 1 inch in length, with an oval shape, 6 legs, and a shiny black exterior. Not typically a problem in the home, these roaches spend most of their time in dark, moist places such as storm drains, gutters, landscaping beds, and under the bushes. These roaches aren’t often seen during the day, though they do come out at night in search of food.

If you do have an infestation of these roaches, they are likely in the basement, crawl spaces, or other dark and dank places. The best way to prevent these little buggers from getting into your home is by simply cleaning up any leftover food and removing as much moisture from the home and crawl spaces as possible.

American Cockroaches

The American Cockroach is the most similar to the oriental cockroach in size, shape, and behavior — these roaches prefer dark, dank environments like mulch beds and sewer drains. The most significant difference between the two species it the reddish-brown color of the American Cockroach.

While these roaches prefer living outdoors, they will come into the home in search of food and shelter, especially during the winter months, as they prefer warm environments.

If you suspect a cockroach infestation, call Six Brothers Pest Control as soon as possible. We’ll come out to inspect the home and give you a quote on what it would take to get rid of those pesky roaches.