5 Common Types Of Roaches and How to Get Rid of Them

How to Get Rid of Roaches Effectively

Thanks to South Carolina’s warm, humid climate, roaches are incredibly common. Fortunately, roach control is possible. The best way to deal with roaches, however, is to stop them before they make their way inside. How do you do this? Different roaches are attracted to different areas of the house, so if you can figure out which types of roaches you have, you can understand why and how they're getting into your home and stop them in their tracks.

The best defense is to hire a professional who knows what to do and can wipe them out on the first try. A failed DIY attempt can cost you a nasty infestation.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to the 5 most common types of roaches here in South Carolina. If you think you might have a roach problem and want to know the best way to put a stop to it, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about the different species of roaches that you might find in your home and what to do about them.

German Cockroach

Identifying features:
- ½ to ⅝ inches long
- Light brown with two dark stripes running down their back
- Can fly short distances

Prevention:  German cockroaches are attracted to dirty dishes and leftover food. So, unless you want your kitchen to be overrun with roaches, it’s best to clean up after meals and keep food out of the sink. 

Control: Of all the cockroaches found in the United States, German cockroaches are the most common. They’re able to breed incredibly quickly, which makes them a major threat to your home. In fact, just one female German cockroach can populate your home with more than 30,000 roaches over the course of a year. That’s thousands of disease-carrying cockroaches that could be crawling all over your kitchen. So, if you think the description above matches your culprit, you’ll want to move quickly!

Smoky Brown Cockroach

Identifying features:
- 1.5 inches long
- Solid dark brown body and black shell
- Common to see them fly

Prevention: Compared to other roach species in South Carolina, the Smoky Brown cockroach is particularly susceptible to dehydration. As a result, they only tend to exist in places that are moist. This means that keeping your home’s moisture level under control can help to prevent a Smoky Brown infestation.

Control: Proper ventilation and regular maintenance will help control the situation. If you stop leaks and get rid of standing water, you’ll make your home a less enjoyable environment for the Smoky Brown cockroach, which will help keep them away after a proper treatment from a pest control specialist. 

American Cockroach (AKA Palmetto Bug)

Identifying features:
- Between 1 ¼ to 2 ⅛ inches
- Brown or dark red with light yellow edges on their shell.
- Can fly short distances

Prevention: Here in South Carolina, people often refer to cockroaches in general as “palmetto bugs”. However, this is a bit of a misnomer. In reality, the term palmetto bug is reserved for one particular species: the American cockroach.They’re attracted to damp environments so moisture control is a big factor in prevention. 

Control: Like other cockroaches, the American cockroach is capable of carrying and spreading disease. These cockroaches are particularly long lived, and are actually able to survive for up to two years so don’t think they’ll just go away if you leave them alone. Seal cracks in your walls, and keep your home clear of any crumbs and clutter to deter these roaches.

Oriental Cockroach (AKA Waterbug)

Identifying features:
- 1.25 inches long
- Usually dark brown or black
- Not capable of flying (although they do have visible wings)

Prevention: Commonly referred to as a “waterbug,” the Oriental cockroach prefers wet conditions and is less commonly encountered inside your home. Their idea of food is mulch and rubbish so check under piles, in floor drains, and in crawl spaces for this species. 

Control: When you do end up with an Oriental cockroach infestation, it can be particularly difficult to treat. Watch the drains in your home and cover any holes they might have used to get into the house. Call a professional to help treat the entry points of your house to stop them from getting inside. 

Brown Banded Cockroach

Identifying features:
- 1 inch long
- Males are dark brown and golden
- Females are reddish brown and dark brown
- Males will fly on occasion

Prevention: Unlike some of the other roaches commonly found in South Carolina, the Brown Banded cockroach doesn’t need moist conditions to survive. In fact, you’ll often find them in a warmer, drier location in your home, such as inside your television or kitchen appliances. They also prefer a higher location so make sure to clean above cabinets, wipe down surfaces, vacuum, and caulk any cracks in your home. 

Control: Like other pests, these roaches need food, water, and shelter to survive. If you remove one or all of these factors by keeping a clean home, they won’t be able to survive. However, if you’re dealing with an infestation, it’s best to get an inspection. You might think they’re gone, but out of site doesn’t always mean out of mind.

Getting Rid of Roaches

While it’s possible to try to treat a roach infestation on your own, cockroaches can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Here at Home Pest Control, we have the knowledge and expertise necessary to get rid of roaches in your home safely and effectively. If you’ve spotted any of these roaches in or around your house and are ready to get rid of them, check out our pricing page to see which option best suits your home. If you have any questions about pest control, visit this page to learn more about what we do!