Generally a cockroach has a flat, brown body with six legs and may appear oily. The typical cockroach averages between 35-41 millimeters in length. In some species, male and female cockroaches have wings that allow them to fly short distances.
Beetles: The common ground beetle is often mistaken for a roach because of its coloration and stocky body. Further inspection of a common ground beetle will reveal that the segmentation between its head, thorax, and abdomen is more prominent. A roach, on the other hand, has a more smooth, round-looking body.
Unfortunately, the answer is most likely yes—seeing one cockroach often means there is more hiding nearby. Cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden in cracks and crevices during the day, which means if you see one, there's a good chance it's not alone.
Most cockroaches hide in dark, secluded areas by day. They can be found behind furniture and appliances, as well as under refrigerators and stoves and in cupboards or cabinets. They are capable of flattening themselves in order to fit into crevices between floorboards and walls.
Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid.
Cockroach season can vary depending on the region. For instance, in Texas and Florida, where the climate is generally warmer and more humid, roaches can be a year-round problem. In other parts of the US, roaches come out during the hottest months, usually from June through September.
If you think you have cockroaches, do not panic. Finding roaches is not a sign that your house is dirty. Even if you clean regularly and maintain a tidy home, cockroaches can usually find food and water without much trouble. This allows them to thrive in many environments.
Roach nest, unlike birds' nests, isn't a physical structure but rather a hidden congregation point for roaches, typically in dark, moist areas close to food and water sources. To find a roach nest, look for signs like droppings that look like coffee grounds, oval-shaped egg casings, and increased night-time activity.
What causes roaches in houses and apartments? What attracts roaches to a clean house primarily consists of their basic needs: food, water, and shelter, although they are usually brought into houses and apartments on other items, such as luggage or clothing.
While the American roach is an outdoor species commonly found in damp, warm areas like leaf litter and under stones, the German roaches are domestic cockroaches. They prefer to inhabit dark, warm, and moist areas inside our homes, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and behind appliances.
Cockroaches won't go away on their own.
Cockroaches are attracted to various factors, including food, water, shelter, and warmth. They are particularly drawn to crumbs, spills, and food residues, especially starchy and sugary items. Moisture-rich environments like leaky pipes and standing water also attract cockroaches.
June bugs, also known as May beetles, can sometimes be confused for cockroaches as well. These beetles are dark brown, rust-colored, or black, and have a hard outer shell. June bugs are similar in size to roaches (about ½ to 1 inch long) and have a similar oval shape.
No matter how clean your home is, if there's some excess moisture somewhere, it could very well be an attractive invitation for your neighborhood roaches. This is one of the reasons why you'll commonly find roaches hanging out in your bathroom and laundry room or around an appliance that produces condensation.
Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.
Spread of Eggs
The number one reason to not squash a cockroach is to prevent spreading cockroach eggs. Some cockroach species, such as the German cockroach (common species here in the UK) carry their egg cases (ootheca) on their body until just before they hatch.
Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.
Citrus is one of the scents cockroaches are most known to hate, notably lemon and orange. Keeping a dish of lemon juice on your kitchen counter can deter these pests, as well as placing lemon peels around the home to discourage cockroaches from coming out of hiding.
The Myth of Clean Homes and Cockroach Infestations
Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches are not solely attracted to dirty or unsanitary environments. While filth can certainly provide ample food and shelter for these pests, even the cleanest of homes are not immune to roach infestations.
Do Cockroaches Like the Cold? Generally, cockroaches don't like the cold one bit. They are cold-blooded arthropods that don't survive very well in either extremely cold or hot circumstances. They're always at whatever temperature their environment is and generally slow down with cooler temperatures.