Small Roaches in the Kitchen or Bathroom Need a Closer Look
When homeowners tell us they're seeing small roaches in the kitchen or bathroom, one possibility is the German cockroach.
German cockroaches are small, tan to light brown roaches that live and reproduce indoors. Kitchens and bathrooms provide many of the things they need, including food, moisture, warmth, and tight places to hide.
Finding very small roaches in these areas can be particularly important. Those "baby roaches" may be nymphs, and finding German cockroach nymphs can indicate that the roaches are reproducing inside the home.
But size alone isn't enough to identify them.
Asian cockroaches look remarkably similar to German cockroaches and are also found in Northwest Florida. The difference is that Asian cockroaches primarily live outdoors in lawns, mulch, leaf litter, and landscaping. They're also strong fliers and are attracted to lights after dark.
That means a small tan roach flying around your porch isn't necessarily the same problem as small roaches repeatedly turning up around your kitchen cabinets.
And that difference matters when it's time to treat.
Big Cockroaches Are a Different Problem
What if the roach is an inch or more long and dark brown or reddish-brown?
You're probably not looking at a German cockroach.
American cockroaches and smokybrown cockroaches are two of the large cockroach species commonly encountered around Northwest Florida homes.
These roaches are much more closely associated with outdoor areas and protected spaces around structures than German cockroaches are. Depending on the species, they may be active around landscaping, leaf litter, gutters, drains, garages, attics, and other sheltered areas.
They can also make their way indoors.
That's why finding one big roach in a garage or bedroom doesn't automatically mean you have cockroaches reproducing in your kitchen or throughout your home.
We recently took a closer look at why big cockroaches show up inside Northwest Florida homes, including what repeated sightings can tell you about activity around the house.
What About Palmetto Bugs?
"Palmetto bug" is one of the most common names we hear from homeowners.
It's also not a specific species.
The name is commonly used for large cockroaches, including American and smokybrown cockroaches. So if you call us because you've found a palmetto bug, we'll still need to determine which cockroach you're actually dealing with.
Why German Cockroach Treatment Is Different
German cockroaches require a more specialized approach because they aren't simply outdoor pests occasionally finding their way through a door or another opening.
They typically live and reproduce indoors.
Once established, German cockroaches can hide behind refrigerators and stoves, inside cabinets, beneath sinks, around plumbing, and in other spaces close to food, water, and warmth. Multiple life stages can be present at the same time, including adults, nymphs, and egg cases (what entomologists refer to as oothecae).
Treating the roaches you happen to see isn't enough.
When Patriot treats an established German cockroach infestation, there is an initial specialized service followed by a second visit several days later. To help the treatment work as effectively as possible and give our technicians better access to infested areas, customers also need to complete some preparation before treatment.
If German cockroach treatment is scheduled for your home, we'll provide instructions beforehand. You can also review our German cockroach treatment preparation guide to see what to expect.
What If the Cockroaches Are Outside?
Seeing cockroaches outside doesn't automatically mean you have an indoor infestation.
Asian, American, and smokybrown cockroaches can all be active outdoors around Northwest Florida properties. Depending on the species and where activity is occurring, treatment may focus more heavily on exterior areas around the home.
That's a very different situation from German cockroaches established behind appliances, inside cabinets, and in other indoor hiding spots.
Not Sure Which Cockroach You Have?
You don't need to figure it out before calling for help.
If you're seeing roaches in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, or around the outside of your home, contact Patriot Pest Management. Our technicians can identify the species, evaluate where the activity is occurring, and determine the appropriate treatment.
Are Cockroaches Covered by Patriot's Home Pest Control Plans?
Yes. Cockroaches are among the pests covered by Patriot Pest Management's home pest control plans.
Because an existing German cockroach infestation requires a specialized initial service, German cockroach control includes a one-time setup fee. After that initial setup, German cockroaches are included in the home pest control plan.
Got Roaches? Let Patriot Take a Look
Locally owned Patriot Pest Management has served Northwest Florida since 1997, providing pest control throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and parts of Okaloosa County, including Pace, Milton, Navarre, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Fort Walton Beach.
If cockroaches are showing up inside or around your home, we'll determine what you're dealing with and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Call (850) 332-9299 or request your free quote to get started.
