One common pest homeowners might encounter is the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), a fast and flying insect that can quickly and efficiently infest an area. Are American cockroaches hard to get rid of? The short answer is yes. They can be quite challenging to eliminate, but not impossible.

Understanding their behaviors and the right control methods is key.

What Are American Cockroaches?

American cockroaches are one of the biggest species of roaches common to households. Coming from Africa and the Middle East, the American cockroach can be found all over the United States. In southern states, they are commonly found outdoors, while in the northern states, they more frequently take shelter in drains and sewers. Due to their propensity for wet, moist locations, in some regions, cockroaches are called other names like the water roach or palmetto bug.

What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?

The American cockroach can range from one to three inches long. Their coloration is typically reddish-brown to a light brown, sporting a yellow band or figure on the top of their head. They have six legs, two straight antennas and are shaped like an oval. Though one of the few species that uses its wings to fly, this roach still relies heavily on those legs to scurry quickly from point to point.

American Cockroach Behaviors

American cockroaches can fly and move fast. For the most part, you will find cockroaches outdoors in warm, damp locations such as gardens, under mulch and other types of piles. If the climate proves harsh or food runs out, they move into buildings such as homes, restaurants, small businesses and other human-made structures.

They also tend to seek out wet and food-filled areas such as drains, pipes, basements, holes in the wall and under major appliances. They feed on basically any and all organic materials, from leaves and fungi to crumbs and leftover human food.

American Cockroach Life Cycle

The American cockroach goes through the three stages of metamorphosis like the majority of cockroaches: egg, nymph and adult. The process from birth to fully-formed adult can take anywhere from four to six months. The average lifespan for this particular species is approximately two years.

At its peak ability to reproduce, the female American cockroach can lay from 16 to 32 eggs a week for almost 10 months, making their threat of infestation high.

Signs of American Cockroach Infestations

The common signs that American cockroaches have found a home indoors are similar to their fellow cousins. They include:

  • On-sight visual: If one cockroach is indoors, there is a good chance there are more.
  • Droppings: Cockroaches are always eating and always disposing of waste. On counters, in cabinets, or under appliances, American cockroaches will leave little reddish and brown droplets around.
  • Eggs: When their babies hatch, the cockroach egg casings that surround the eggs can be found in similar locations where adults live
  • Odor: Especially when together in a group, American cockroaches give off a wet and musty smell.

Why Are American Cockroaches Hard to Get Rid Of?

These reddish-brown home invaders have perfected the art of staying alive through countless generations. Dating back eons, their survival skills make them incredibly tough to banish completely. When these scurrying pests take hold, homeowners quickly discover just how challenging a complete elimination can be, thanks to their time-tested ability to endure almost anything thrown their way.

Adaptability and breeding patterns

Though bearing the American name, these hardy pests actually journeyed here from African and Middle Eastern regions. Today, they’ve made themselves at home throughout the country with impressive flexibility. Southern homeowners might spot them in garden mulch and moist outdoor spots, while their northern cousins have adapted perfectly to life in wet drains and sewer systems. They can eat almost any organic material, from leaves and fungi to crumbs and book bindings.

Their reproductive capacity is also formidable. A female can produce 16 to 32 eggs in an egg case (ootheca) every week or so for up to 10 months, leading to rapid population growth if an American cockroach infestation is not addressed. It takes them 600 days to go from egg to adult, with adults living for another year or more, giving them ample time to reproduce.

Where do American cockroaches hide?

These nocturnal pests prefer dark, moist and undisturbed areas. Indoors, American cockroaches often seek out wet and food-filled locations. Common hiding spots include:

  • Basements and crawl spaces, especially near pipes or sump pumps.
  • Underneath and behind appliances like refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers.
  • In and around drains, pipe chases and utility conduits.
  • Inside wall voids, especially if there’s a plumbing leak.
  • Cluttered storage areas, piles of paper or cardboard.
  • Kitchen cabinets, particularly under sinks or in lower cabinets.
  • Bathrooms, especially near toilets, tubs and sinks.

How to Get Rid of American Cockroaches

The first step to getting rid of American cockroaches is eliminating their home and food source. Clean your living spaces, especially counters, appliances, sinks, drains and cabinets.

How to prevent cockroaches indoors: DIY methods

For minor issues, DIY pest control tips can be effective. Start by eliminating their resources. Clean living spaces thoroughly, especially counters, under appliances, sinks, drains and cabinets. Store food in airtight boxes and clean dishes promptly. Fix leaky pipes and improve ventilation in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces.

Natural remedies can also help. Diatomaceous earth (food-grade) can be lightly dusted in dry areas where cockroaches travel; it works by abrading their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration. Ensure it’s applied in areas inaccessible to children and pets and avoid inhaling the dust. These are important steps in learning how to get rid of American cockroaches.

Using baits, sprays and traps effectively

Several products are available for controlling or killing American cockroaches:

  • Gel baits: These are a very effective option for getting rid of American cockroaches. Apply small, pea-sized dabs of gel bait in areas where cockroaches are known to hide or travel, such as along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, under sinks and behind appliances. Roaches consume the bait and take it back to their harborage areas, potentially killing other roaches. You should see a decrease in cockroach activity within 1-2 weeks after applying bait. Always place baits out of reach of children and pets.
  • Traps: Sticky traps (glue boards) can help monitor cockroach populations and catch individuals. Place them along walls, under furniture and in suspected hiding spots. While they won’t eliminate a large infestation alone, they are a good tool for assessment and supplemental control.
  • Sprays/insecticides: Residual insecticidal sprays can be applied to cracks, crevices and other hiding places. Choose products labeled for indoor cockroach control and follow label directions meticulously, paying close attention to safety precautions, especially regarding children, pets and food preparation areas.

When to Call Professional Pest Control

If you’re seeing cockroaches regularly despite your best DIY efforts, or if the infestation seems widespread, it’s time to call a professional. They can access more products and can develop a targeted plan for your specific situation. Professionals can also help identify and address conducive conditions you might have missed.

Preventing Future Roach Infestations

To help keep these pests away in the future, check the foundation and entryways for cracks or holes where they might enter. Caulk or seal these areas and use repellents such as gels to deter re-entry, especially around pipes and utility lines. Make your home less inviting by maintaining cleanliness—clean spills immediately, store food in airtight boxes and clear your garbage regularly. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaky faucets and ensuring proper ventilation in damp areas. Since these pests thrive in humid environments, consider using a dehumidifier in chronically damp spaces.

Why Should You Care About Cockroach Safety?

Aside from having your home or business overrun with an unwelcome pest, American cockroaches also carry health concerns. They are excellent transmitters of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella. The odors from their secretions are also known to cause problems for people with allergies and asthma. In close contact, these cockroaches are not much of a direct threat. While they can bite, they rarely do and usually don’t transmit their carriers via their bite.

How to Handle Other Cockroaches

There are several other types of cockroaches besides the American cockroach: German Cockroach, Oriental Cockroach, Smokybrown Cockroach, Brown-Banded Cockroach, Pennsylvania Woods Cockroach, Asian Cockroach, Flying Cockroaches. For more information about cockroaches and what it means when you find this pest in your home or business, read more here.

Sources