Cockroaches
Types Of Roaches Found In North Carolina
What Does a Cockroach Look Like?
Cockroaches are among the most common pests in homes in North America. They are reddish-brown to black in color with a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their head. Roaches measure 1 3/8 to 2 inches in length, topical species being larger than species found in other climates.
Adult Cockroaches:
Adult male cockroaches tend to be smaller than females. The color is usually brownish-red or black, and they have wings that lay flat over their backs. Adult males also have fully developed wings with strong wing muscles because their only job is to mate with a female cockroach.
Adult females can be up to twice as large as adult males. Females do not have wings and cannot fly. They are usually brownish-yellow or tan and have an oval, smaller body than the adult male. Females also have specially designed tubes (called ootheca) to lay eggs which vary depending on the type of cockroach she is. The German cockroach female carries her egg case until it is nearly ready to hatch, at which time she drops it, or hides it somewhere in a safe place. The egg case of the American cockroach is carried until just before the eggs hatch.
Young Roaches:
Nymphs are young baby roaches that have not yet developed wings. They are usually darker in color than adults. It takes about 100 days for a German cockroach to reach the adult stage and about 140 days for an American cockroach.
Cockroach Types
There are over 4000 species of roach and over 400 in the US. Most people only come into contact with a few of those. People are usually most familiar with the American Cockroach, German Cockroach, Brown Banded Cockroach, and Smoky Brown cockroaches because those are the ones that they tend to find in their homes.
Cockroaches can come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors depending on the species, age of the insect, and what it has been eating.
Cockroaches in North Carolina
The cockroaches that call North Carolina home are some of the most common in America. The German, American, Oriental, and wood roach populations can be found throughout Charlotte and this state. They thrive everywhere there is ample food source available.
North Carolina natives also refer often to palmettos bugs. You can learn more about those here, but they are simply American cockroaches.
Wood roach
If you live in a suburban home, near trees or areas with a lot of mulch, you may see the occasional “wood cockroach” roving outside your home. These roaches, also known as Florida woods cockroach, are large and brown, and they get that way by spending part of their lives in rotting logs and mulch, among other things.
Wood roaches are beneficial as they consume decaying matter around trees and the woodpecker loves to eat them. They may hitch a ride in your home but they will not stay there as they live and breed outdoors. What to know more? Check out NC State, Matt Shipman article.
Wood roach or American cockroach?
What is the difference between a wood roach and an American cockroach? The main difference is that the American cockroach is a nuisance and you do not want them in your home.
Even though these two kinds of cockroaches look similar, they are different species and there are important differences between them. The easiest way to tell the difference is by the length of their wings: American cockroaches have teardrop-shaped wings that cover most of their abdomens, while wood cockroach wings are much shorter and do not go past the point where their abdomens meet their thoraxes. American cockroaches have a reddish brown color while the wood roach is more of a chestnut brown.
Also, it is unlikely for a wood roach to infest your home than American roaches; in fact, they generally spend very little time off the ground (leading some people to refer to them as “tree roaches”). They prefer moist, humid environments so you’ll often find them in mulch, rotting logs and even hanging out in gutters.
American cockroaches on the other hand are more than happy to migrate indoors into your home for food, water, warmth or just to get away from it all outside. They prefer living near humans which is why you’re more likely to find them hanging out behind your refrigerator, inside your pantry, or in your bathroom.
Signs of Cockroaches?
If you find any sign of cockroaches in your yard, home or office, immediately Contact Crown Pest Control for the best cockroach elimination treatment. Our specialists are adept at recognizing the species involved, the severity of the problem, and any potential threats. Our professionals will visit your premises and take time to inspect the critical areas and common habitats. Accordingly, they use the most advanced and the most-effective treatment to make your home, office, and surroundings pest-free.
How To Prevent Roaches In Your Home
- Keep your kitchen and food storage areas clean and dry.
- Seal gaps in doors, windows and repair foundation vents, etc.
- Regularly clean garbage cans, gutters, and downspouts of debris.
- Remove leaf and brush piles from your premises.
- Repair moisture-damages woods.
- Seek professional help from Crown Pest; let us handle the pesticides.
To learn more DYI tips go over to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services website.
Cockroach Identification
Still unsure what kind of cockroach you have? You can check out this page for further identification. When in doubt, give us a call! We’d be happy to help.
What to know how to get rid of cockroaches? Our technicians can help solve your cockroach problem and recommend prevention measures as needed based on our inspection of the property. We offer free inspections and unbiased reports to all of our customers. Give us a call!
Crown Pest Control is a reputable pest control company and we provide pest treatment services in Greater Charlotte Metropolitan Area, NC, i.e. Matthews, Mount Holly, Indian Trail, Monroe, Waxhaw, Concord, Harrisburg, Huntersville, Fort Mill (SC), Indian Land (SC), Tega Cay (SC), Pineville (SC), Mineral Springs, Mint Hill, Stallings, Dilworth, Ballantyne, Cornelius, Davidson in North Carolina.