Cockroaches

Identifying Cockroach Species

There are more than 4,000 species in the world, but not all of them are pests. In total, 30 species of cockroaches will enter human dwellings. Roughly five species of these pests are located in Michigan. As someone who is dealing with cockroaches, it is pertinent to know which species has entered your home. Otherwise, you won’t know how to tackle the problem effectively. The problem is that each species is different in terms of habitat, behavior, and treatment.

Finding out which species you have can help determine how to fix the problem at hand. Nevertheless, many cockroach species will not enter your home or reproduce there. Below, you’ll learn more about some of the most common cockroach species in Michigan.

Which Cockroaches With Michigan Residents Encounter?

Ultimately, Michigan residents will be most likely to encounter American and German cockroaches. Although there are some similarities, they’re different in numerous ways.

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are not one of the biggest species since they only grow up to 5/8ths of an inch, but they are still concerning. They’re tan with a set of racing stripes near their head. Unfortunately, most cockroaches are prolific breeders and German cockroaches meet these criteria. A female German cockroach will release a lot of baby cockroaches quickly. Suffice to say, you cannot ignore this problem because it’ll quickly turn into a nightmare.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches are large with some growing up to 2 inches. They’re reddish-brown and can fly. American cockroaches have a long lifespan since it takes them up to 2 years to mature. After that, they can continue living another year or longer. They won’t infest your home overnight. Instead, it’ll take a long time for an infestation to manifest. Another thing to note is that American cockroaches prefer living near warm moist areas. They like broken sewer pipes as well as steam tunnels. If you’ve suddenly found American roaches in your home, there is likely a broken sewer pipe nearby.

Although these are two of the most common species, there are others. They include Pennsylvania Wood, Oriental, Smokeybrown, Surinam, Brown-Banded, and Mediterranean Spotted cockroaches.

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroaches

When looking at Pennsylvania wood cockroaches, you’ll find that male and female cockroaches of this species are much different. Adults have wings that cover their entire bodies while females have shorter wings. These cockroaches are primarily found in the Eastern United States, but they may travel to Michigan from time to time. Males are a bit longer than females. Pennsylvania wood cockroaches can be found near woodpiles, wooden shingles, and blocked gutters.

Spotted Mediterranean Cockroaches

Spotted Mediterranean cockroaches are small so most will barely reach a third of an inch in length. They’re tan and have a few dark speckles. Spotted Mediterranean cockroaches recently arrived from Europe but they’re growing across the United States very rapidly. Spotted Mediterranean cockroaches can be found in Michigan so you may encounter a few at some point. However, you should know that they don’t reproduce inside so you shouldn’t experience too many setbacks when dealing with this species.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are large with some reaching an inch and a quarter of an inch. They can be black or light brown. Although males will develop wings, female Oriental cockroaches do not. They share many characteristics with American cockroaches but there are minor differences. They’re very cold-hardy so they can survive outside during the cold weather. You may find these cockroaches living around your trashcans.

Smokeybrown Cockroaches

Smokeybrown cockroaches can reach up to one and a half inches so they’re hard to ignore. Although they’re common in the southern portion of the United States, they can reach some northern states, including Michigan. It is one of the largest cockroaches and has full wings. These cockroaches are always reddish-brown so this sets them apart from other species.

Surinam Cockroaches

Surinam cockroaches are roughly three-quarters of an inch in length with a dark plate on the back of their heads. Their wings are light tan. Although these cockroaches may travel to Michigan, they prefer warmer climates so they won’t stick around long. If they do enter your property, you can find them in your greenhouse. One thing to note is that there are no male Surinam cockroaches. They’re all female and they can still reproduce quickly.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

These cockroaches are small in size with most reaching half an inch. They’re either light brown or tan. They are often compared to German cockroaches because they look similar. The only minute difference is that these cockroaches have a dark mark on their head. These cockroaches do not infest structures often.

What Causes Cockroaches?

What causes cockroaches to enter your home? Ultimately, the answer will depend on the type you’re dealing with. Some species will flock to broken sewer pipes. Others want to enter homes that have not been cleaned thoroughly enough. Cockroaches can breed rapidly so it is pertinent to tackle the problem swiftly.

Do Cockroaches Pose A Health Risk?

Ultimately, cockroaches can create risks for humans and pets. When they contaminate your food, you have a serious problem and need to dispose of your food immediately. These pests can spread various diseases, including salmonella. In addition to this, they’ll inflame asthma symptoms. Cockroaches need to be dealt with immediately because they will leave to numerous problems.

What Do I Need To Do To Get Rid Of Cockroaches?

Once you’ve identified the cockroach species, you’ll know how to get rid of it. In some cases, you need to clean your home carefully. Get rid of food crumbs and food sources so the pests will leave your home. Clean your dishes and take out the trash. Be diligently and you might be able to convince the cockroaches to leave and look for food elsewhere. In addition to this, you might have a stopped gutter or broken sewer pipe. Deal with the problem. Either way, calling an exterminator is important.

When Can You Begin Working?

Schedule an appointment by calling our Livonia office today. We’ll respond in 24 to 48 hours.

Is Your Cockroach Treatment Safe?

Yes. Our company uses non-toxic treatments to dispose of cockroaches in our client’s homes and businesses. You need to work with us because we make our exterminators use EPA-registered products to deal with the problem at hand. Our treatments do not pose health risks to humans, pets, or plants.

How Can I Stop Cockroaches From Entering My Building?

Clean your home thoroughly and deal with all gaps and cracks. Do that and cockroaches won’t be able to enter your home easily. If you find cockroaches in your home, call us so we can fix the problem immediately.

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