If you’re a fan of cockroaches, Florida is the perfect place for you! Oh, what’s that? – you’re not a fan of cockroaches? In that case, we have some bad news about Florida. There are lots of cockroaches here because our warm, wet climate with numerous lakes, rivers, and swamps is ideal for them. As a result, they reproduce abundantly and spread easily. Fortunately, cockroach control is possible; you just need to know what you’re dealing with. So, let’s discuss the most common cockroaches in Florida and what you need to know about them.

What Are the Most Common Cockroaches in Florida?

Below you will find a list of the most common roaches you can find in Florida. If you come across a roach, there’s a good chance it will be one of these. However, this is not an exhaustive list; dozens of cockroach species live in our region.

American Cockroach

Identification: The largest common cockroach, reaching up to 3” long. It has a reddish-brown body with some yellowish coloring on the back of its head. When you picture a cockroach, you’re probably picturing an American cockroach.

Where to Find: Commonly found in sewers, basements, crawl spaces, and around water sources. Often indoors in warm, moist environments.

“Fun” Fact: It can live up to two years and is an excellent flyer.

Smokybrown Cockroach

Identification: Dark brown to almost black, shiny appearance, typically about 1.5” long. Known for its uniform color without distinctive markings.

Where to Find: Frequently found in tree holes, mulch, woodpiles, and attics. Often enters homes.

“Fun” Fact: They are strong fliers and are attracted to lights, often found near outdoor lights and windows.

Florida Woods Cockroach

Identification: Also called the “stinking cockroach,” it is large, about 1.5” – 2” long, with a shiny, dark brown to black body.

Where to Find: Prefers outdoor habitats like under logs, leaf litter, and damp wooded areas.

“Fun” Fact: When threatened, it can release a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism.

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Surinam Cockroach

Identification: Small, about 1” long, with a dark brown to black head and a light brown body. It has a distinctive ovate shape and cannot fly.

Where to Find: Burrows in moist soil; often found in gardens, greenhouses, and potted plants.

“Fun” Fact: Unlike many other cockroach species, this one is primarily burrowing and prefers moist environments.

German Cockroach

Identification: Light brown to tan, about ½” long, with two dark stripes on their backs, just behind the head.

Where to Find: Commonly found indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, where food and moisture are readily available.

“Fun” Fact: One of the most common household cockroaches, it can reproduce rapidly, making it a significant pest.

Asian Cockroach

Identification: Very similar in appearance to the German cockroach, but it has longer wings and is a stronger flyer. Typically found outdoors.

Where to Find: Often found in shaded areas with leaf litter, gardens, and fields. May fly into homes.

“Fun” Fact: Attracted to light, they can be seen flying toward illuminated windows and lighted surfaces.

Oriental Cockroach

Identification: Dark brown to black and shiny, about 1” long, with a more rounded and robust body. It has a slow, sluggish movement.

Where to Find: Prefers cooler, damp environments like basements, crawl spaces, and drains. Often found near decaying organic matter.

“Fun” Fact: Sometimes called the “black beetle.”

Australian Cockroach

Identification: Similar in size and appearance to the American cockroach but distinguished by the yellow bands on the edges of its forewings.

Where to Find: Often found outdoors in gardens, mulch, and under woodpiles. Can enter homes through cracks and openings.

“Fun” Fact: Despite its name, it is not native to Australia but is found in tropical climates worldwide.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

Identification: Small, about ½” long, light brown with distinctive transverse bands across the wings and abdomen.

Where to Find: Prefers warmer, drier areas and is often found in higher locations in homes, like ceilings, upper cabinets, and inside furniture.

“Fun” Fact: They are known for their ability to survive in a variety of environments and are less dependent on moisture compared to other cockroach species.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Identification: Large, up to 2” – 3” long, with a dark brown to black body. Known for the hissing sound it produces.

Where to Find: Native to Madagascar, typically found in forests. In captivity, they are kept as pets and in educational exhibits.

“Fun” Fact: One of the few cockroach species kept as pets, it hisses by forcing air through small openings (spiracles) on its back.

Banana Cockroach

Identification: Also known as the Cuban cockroach, it is about 1” long, with a bright green to yellow-green color.

Where to Find: Found in tropical climates, often in gardens, on banana plants, and in other vegetation. Can fly into homes.

“Fun” Fact: Known for its vibrant color, it is a strong flyer.

Tawny Cockroach

Identification: Small to medium-sized, about 1” long, with a reddish-brown color and a slightly flattened body.

Where to Find: Commonly found outdoors in gardens, wooded areas, and fields. They prefer leaf litter and other decaying organic matter.

“Fun” Fact: Unlike some other species, the Tawny Cockroach is less likely to invade homes, preferring to stay in natural outdoor environments.

Is a Palmetto Bug a Cockroach?

Yes, “palmetto bugs” are cockroaches and the term may refer to a few species. Throughout the southeast, people often call American cockroaches and smokybrown cockroaches “palmetto bugs.” Here in Florida, the Florida woods cockroach is very common and is also referred to as a “palmetto bug.”

People may refer to any type of cockroach as a palmetto bug, although it’s generally more accepted that “palmetto bugs” are the large outdoor types of cockroaches that occasionally make their way indoors – not the smaller indoor cockroach species like German cockroaches.

Is a Water Bug a Roach?

“Water bug” or “waterbug” is another generic term many people use for the large kinds of roaches that live outdoors and occasionally come inside. However, “waterbug” may also be a generic term for many other kinds of insects that aren’t roaches.

Need Help with a Cockroach Infestation?

We’re Forest Pest Control – a local Florida pest control company – and we have extensive experience helping homes and businesses overcome roach problems. Our exterminators offer dependable roach control solutions and ongoing support to ensure they stay away.

No matter which species of roach you’re dealing with, the professionals at Forest Pest Control can help. Call us today and get a free estimate.

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