How to Identify Cockroach Species

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Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

Also known as the “Black Beetle,” the Oriental cockroach carries a darker coloration, ranging from brown to nearly all black. This particular roach loves the water, seeking out moist locations such as sewers, sinks, drains, bushes and leaf piles. Oriental cockroach infestations can be difficult to deal with, as they lay their eggs in small, hard-to-reach places like cracks and crevices. Sometimes these types of cockroaches require more aggressive forms of treatment to help resolve their intrusions.

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Smokybrown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginous)

Slightly smaller than the American cockroach with a reddish-brown exterior, Smokybrown roaches can be found in sub-tropical environments such as Texas, Florida and the rest of the Southeast. Predominantly an outdoor insect, these pests enter the home when attracted to night lights, food or shelter. One of the more aerial species of cockroach, the Smokybrown is common in trees and house roofs, flying from place to place in search of its next ideal home.

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Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

If you find cockroaches in a bedroom or living room, you may be encountering the Brown-Banded cockroach. This species differs from other roaches in that they don’t require as much moisture to survive. Therefore, you can find them in dry and warm locations like the living room, hiding under furniture. Distinguishable by two bands around their wings and abdomen, the Brown-Banded cockroach can be found all over the U.S., particularly in the Northeast, Midwest and South.

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