Many homeowners are quick to assume that all roaches are the same, but there are multiple species of roaches that can be found in Florida. Each species has distinct physical traits, behaviors, and preferred environments. As your representative from the most trusted Tampa pest control company, your Nvirotect Pest Control Services Service Technician will thoroughly assess and properly identify the correct species before choosing the most effective treatment plan.
American Roaches
American roaches are one of the largest species in Florida. They are reddish-brown with a yellow outline near the head and typically measure one and a half to two inches in length. They have long antennae, spiky legs, and wings that allow short flights. When they are outdoors, they prefer moist, shaded areas such as mulch and hollow trees, and when indoors, they hide near water sources like sinks, baths, toilets, and pipes. They can live up to one year, and though they rarely bite, they can raise dangerous sanitation concerns.
Brown Banded Roaches
Brown banded roaches are about one-half inch long with two light tan bands across the abdomen. They live almost entirely indoors and are often found in kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, behind wall hangings, and under furniture. They prefer warm environments and fly when disturbed. Their life span is around 206 days, and they typically feed on pantry goods, trash, and even materials like nylon. This species is also known to spread diseases.
Cuban Roaches
Cuban roaches are pale green with yellow coloring near the head and measure about one inch in length. They have large, transparent wings and are good fliers. They live outdoors under leaves, logs, mulch, and firewood, and are attracted to lights at night. They are not considered indoor pests and do not pose a threat to humans. They feed on sugary and starchy materials and can live up to twenty months.
German Roaches
German roaches are light brown with two dark stripes on the back. They measure one-half to five-eighths of an inch in length and prefer warm, moist indoor locations such as walls, attics, and areas beneath sinks. Their life span is five to seven months. They enjoy starchy, sweet, and fatty foods, and although they have wings, they rarely fly. They are a very invasive, rapidly reproducing roach that are brought into a home on a person, their belongings, or cardboard / packaged goods.
German roaches can also spread diseases and require quick attention from an expert Tampa pest control company like Nvirotect Pest Control Company.
Oriental Roaches
Oriental roaches, often called water bugs, are dark brown or black with a shiny surface, and reach about one inch in length. Males have shortened wings, while females are wingless. They prefer cool, damp environments such as basements, crawl spaces, sewers, and outdoor debris. Because they cannot fly, they enter homes through drains and gaps. They can be identified by their musty odor and may spread bacteria during their six to twelve-month life span.
Surinam Roaches
Surinam roaches have a shiny black head and dark brown body measuring about three-fourths of an inch in length. They live outdoors in mulch, loose soil, stones, and rotting plant material, and may be brought inside through the soil of potted plants. They are poor fliers, often choosing to use their legs to get from one place to another, feed on plants, and can live up to seven months.
Smokybrown Roaches
Smokybrown roaches are uniformly brownish-black and about one and a half inches long. They have long wings, glossy bodies, and strong flight capability. They live in wood piles, gutters, sheds, attics, and humid crawl spaces. Their life span is two to six months, and they can carry diseases.
Why Professional Pest Control Matters
Because each roach species behaves differently and responds to different treatment methods, professional identification is the most important factor after you see a roach in your home or business. If you require pest control services in Tampa, look no further than Nvirotect Pest Control Services. Our Pest Control Service Technicians use environmentally responsible products, detailed inspection methods, and long-term prevention strategies specific to your property and needs.
For more information about the best pest control service in Tampa, call us today at 813.968.7031 or complete our contact request form for a competitive quote.
