Signs of a Roach Infestation
- Several small roaches out in daylight
- Droppings like coffee grounds along cabinet edges
- Small brown egg cases tucked into corners
- Roaches near the dishwasher, stove or bathroom sink
- Shed skins inside cabinets or drawers
American and German Roaches
The large reddish-brown American roach, the one people call a palmetto bug or waterbug, lives outdoors in mulch and drains and wanders in through door gaps and weep holes.
The small tan German roach lives its whole life indoors, hides in cabinet hinges and behind the refrigerator, and breeds in large numbers.
A German roach is about half an inch long with two dark stripes behind its head. If that is what you see, they live inside.
Why the Type of Roach Matters
American roaches point to the outside of the house: mulch beds, drains and the gap under the garage door. German roaches call for treatment inside the kitchen and bath where they breed.
Smokybrown roaches are dark and uniform, and Oriental roaches are nearly black and sluggish.
Roaches in Kitchens and Bathrooms
A drip under the sink, crumbs behind the stove or a gap around a supply line is enough to keep roaches around. Leaks and open gaps around plumbing are common in kitchens where roaches settle in.
Roach and Cockroach Questions
Are roaches common in houses?
Yes. Large American cockroaches live outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, sewers and tree holes and wander indoors. Seeing one now and then is common. Seeing them often is not.
What types of roaches get into homes?
The main two are the large reddish-brown American cockroach, often called a waterbug or palmetto bug, and the small tan German cockroach with two dark stripes behind its head. Smokybrown and Oriental roaches also show up.
German roaches vs American roaches: what's the difference?
German roaches are about half an inch long, live and breed indoors near kitchens and bathrooms, and lay many eggs at a time. American roaches are much larger and mostly come in from outside. Small roaches in your cabinets usually mean an indoor infestation.
Why do I have roaches in my clean house?
Roaches need very little. A drip under the sink, crumbs behind the stove or a gap around plumbing is enough. Larger roaches often come in from outdoors through doors, weep holes and drains, however clean the house is.
Why are there roaches in my bathroom?
Bathrooms offer moisture and plumbing gaps that lead to wall voids and drains. Sealing gaps around pipes and fixing leaks makes the room less attractive.
Do German roaches fly?
German cockroaches have wings but rarely fly. They run and hide in tight cracks. American cockroaches can glide short distances.
Are cockroaches dangerous?
Roaches can carry bacteria onto food and surfaces, and their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.
How do roaches get into the house?
Through gaps under doors, cracks in the foundation, weep holes, plumbing and wiring openings, and sometimes in boxes or grocery bags. Mulch piled against the foundation gives them cover right next to those openings.
Roaches in the kitchen or bathroom?
Call (512) 200-8685