A Field Guide To Florida Cockroaches
Two species share the name and almost nothing else, including where they breed.
Roaches
Also Known As
Palmetto bug, waterbug, croton bug
Size
German 13 to 16mm, American 35 to 40mm
Active
Nocturnal. Daytime sightings suggest crowding
Lifespan
German around 6 months, American up to 2 years
Native To
German from northeast Africa, American from tropical Africa
Quickest Tell
Size settles it immediately. A German roach is smaller than a thumbnail with two dark stripes behind the head. An American roach is two to three times longer with a pale figure-of-eight marking.
Already Know What You Have?
Most species here are covered on a plan from $139 a visit, with unlimited callbacks between visits.
Roaches are resilient and spread quickly once established. This page covers identification and how interior and perimeter treatment differ.
What They Look Like
Flat, oval-bodied insects with long antennae, ranging from light tan to dark brown depending on species.
Commonly Confused With
Different species are often lumped together, but where they nest and how they spread can differ quite a bit.
How They Live
Eggs are carried in a case before hatching into nymphs that molt several times before reaching adulthood.
Roaches eat almost anything, from food waste to paper and grease residue.
Mostly nocturnal, and they favor warm, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
Where They Came From
Often introduced through deliveries, secondhand items, or simply migrating in from outside.
Signs You Have Them
Droppings resembling coffee grounds, a musty odor, and sightings at night in kitchens or bathrooms.
Indoor activity is fairly constant, though outdoor species become more visible in warm, humid weather.
Seeing these signs at home? We will identify it and treat it on the same visit.
Are They Dangerous?
They can spread bacteria and trigger allergies or asthma, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Outdoor species play a minor decomposer role, but indoors they're treated strictly as a pest.
Worried about children or pets? Treatment goes into harbourage and entry points, not living space.
Myths Worth Dropping
A common myth is that seeing one roach means there are only a few. Sighting one during the day often means a larger population is established.
What You Can Do Yourself
Sealing food, fixing leaks, and reducing clutter helps limit activity. An established indoor population usually needs professional treatment.
Know What You Have. Now Get Rid Of It.
See the treatment, the timeline and the price for this species, then book the first visit.
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