Of all the roaches in the United States that infest a home, American cockroaches are the biggest species. This pest is also called the palmetto bug. They are known as the water bug, or Bombay canary bug. Although its name is the American cockroach, North America is not the native habitat of this roach pest. Yet, there is verification that during the early 1600s American cockroaches was brought here from Africa by a ship that had a cockroach infestation.

How Do I Identify an American Cockroach

The American cockroach is usually a reddish-brown. The rear of their head has a yellow band figure 8 shape. The adult is about 1.25  to 2 ⅛ inches long or 32-54 mm long. They are not only found in the United States, but all over the world.

What is the difference between a German cockroach and American cockroach?

When setting up a plan for control of a roach problem, it's best if you know what to look for. There are a variety of elements which differentiate an American cockroach from a German cockroach invasion:

• The American cockroach is the largest of the species that invade. Measuring in at 1.5 to 2 inches long, and reddish-brown in color.
• German cockroaches are quite different in size; they are only around half an inch in length.
• The way these insects look is very different too.  The German cockroach has lines that are parallel from their heads to the wings. These lines are dark, while the body is tan. The American cockroach has a faded yellow thorax and is red brown in color.
• Areas they are found: both of these pests like moisture and warmth. American cockroaches prefer crawl spaces
•  Inside a home, basements or water drains. While the German species preference is the bathroom and kitchen areas.
• Likelihood of seeing either species:  It is more common to have a German roach scourge than any other kind.

What are signs of a cockroach invasion?

If you think there is an outbreak of American cockroaches call a pest control professional immediately. There are four signs to look for with an invasion. The first, is recognizing these fast-moving insects darting about dark areas. Next, you may notice their droppings left in their hiding places. These appear at first to be mouse droppings. Only a professional, licensed pest control personnel can tell the difference.

Other signs of being infested

Noticing their eggs or to find an egg capsule often is another sign of an invasion. The egg capsules are around 8 mm long. They have a dark color and may be glued to surfaces close to food sources. Female cockroaches may leave their eggs in laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, under or behind cabinets and appliances.

The final sign of having roaches is the musty odor they emit. If you have a sensitivity to odors, you will notice this smell throughout the house. This odor is due to a pheromone the cockroach creates.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Considered to be filthy pests, the American cockroach when present in a home can become a health risk. They are capable of spreading a minimum of 33 varieties of bacteria. Salmonella and E. coli included. In addition to as many as six types of parasitic worms and seven varieties of pathogens harmful to humans.  The spines on their legs pick up these germs as they are crawling around in decaying matter, organic matter, and sewage. Then they transmit these germs and bacteria onto our cooking surfaces and food. Ugh!!!

How they can affect our health

The American cockroach fecal droppings, urine, and saliva have allergen proteins. These produce asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Known to be the cause of many annual allergies as well as asthma conditions in children.

Do these bugs infest homes?

American cockroaches normally are known to live outside. However, they are often found to like being inside a human home. Although, it is more common for American cockroaches to be found in sewers and drains.

What attracts American cockroaches?

There was once evidence of over 5,000 single American cockroaches in the manhole of the city sewer. Cockroaches  prefer areas that are humid and shady, such as decaying matter, under piles of mulch or in flower beds.

Why are they in my home?

Ultimately you might wonder how cockroaches get into your house but one reason is when they are suffering a shortage of food sources. They might be in search of food and water, or 80 seeking a different climate. American cockroaches like temperatures that are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit; the ideal temperature of your home.

Where else do they hang out?

It is also often common to find this type of pest in places larger than a home and something other than sewers. They like crawling around in commercial structures such as bakeries and restaurants (oh, yummy). They also enjoy what they can find in hospitals and food processing plants.  All of these locations are prone to an infestation. The steam tunnels, basements, boiler room food stores and onto food prep areas are target areas for them to get into food.   Treatment can become costly.

Why do I see large bugs in my house?

They enter a human structure by way of cracks and crevices, air ducts, and sewer connections. These cockroaches also invite themselves in by way of human possessions. Such as paper bags from grocery stores, book bindings, and water drains.

What is the American cockroach periplaneta Americana?

The breed of cockroach measures in at a whopping 4 cm long. These cockroaches are the biggest of the peridomestic cockroaches, the American ones are second in abundance to the German pests.

How big do American cockroaches get?

American cockroaches are an average of 1.4 inches to 1.6 inches. Although, they may grow to be more than 2 inches.

What is the biggest cockroach ever recorded?

The Megaloblatta longipennis is the largest cockroach. This pest may grow to a whopping 9.7 centimeters or 3.8 inches in length. Additionally, they have 20 centimeters or a 7.9 inch wingspan.

Why do I have these big bugs in my house?

There could be a number of reasons why American cockroaches have chosen your home to inhabit.  Do you leave a sink full of dirty dishes? Or crumbs on the countertops and floors? Cockroaches also love when there are pet food containers and water dishes left out over night. In addition, does your home, collect an excess amount of moisture?  All of these are things that big bugs are seeking.

What if I see a cockroach in my house?

Even if you see only one cockroach, you may still have an infestation. Cockroach control can be difficult. In order to get rid of cockroaches, American pest control companies have the answers and the know how.

What does Periplaneta mean?

Periplaneta means the biggest of cockroaches, American cockroaches are included in this classification of pest.

Does the American cockroaches bite?

Although they are capable of biting a person, it is rare that they will. However, should you incur a cockroach bite, unless it becomes infected, you won’t experience any side effects.

Can these pests also fly?

An American cockroach in the nymph phase has no wings, therefore is unable to fly. However, as an adult these cockroaches have wings that allow them to fly short distances. Yet, even though capable of flight these pests prefer crawling and running on the ground.

How to get rid of American cockroaches?

When the female American cockroach lays one egg sac there could be up to 16 eggs with nymphs inside. If you want to get rid of this species, you need to shorten their life cycle. One way of doing this is by destroying the roach egg.

Are they hard to get rid of?

The American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana, is a hard pest to be rid of. These insects can fly and are very fast movers. They are capable of infesting an area in an efficient and rapid manner. Calling professional treatment services is the recommended way to be rid of them thoroughly.

Call a professional to get rid of American Cockroaches

You have identified and verified that you indeed have an American Cockroach infestation. The next step is to call A.N.T. Pest Control for their help in a treatment and services. These American cockroaches control experts know everything about getting rid of adult American cockroaches.