There are only five different types of cockroaches in California and over 4,600 species of roaches around the globe.
However, only around 30 of those species are commonly found in human habitats and constitute a nuisance. The remaining species are useful to or otherwise unharmful to their natural environment.
The United States is home to around 55 unique species of cockroaches; nevertheless, this represents only 1.5% of the world’s total cockroach species.
However, five of these species of cockroaches are a nuisance in California. Many species include the German Cockroach, the American Cockroach, the brown-banded Cockroach, the oriental Cockroach, and the Turkestan cockroach.
You will typically find that all five species of cockroaches are significant year-round household pests in California.
Even though the German Cockroach poses the greatest risk, It is less encountered by homeowners battling an infestation. The American Cockroach is the most common.
In this post, we will take a more in-depth look at 5 different types of cockroaches in California. After that, we will discuss the steps you may take to eliminate them from your house.
Common Different Types of Cockroaches in California
The Oriental Cockroach, brown-banded Cockroach, Turkestan cockroach, German Cockroach, and American Cockroach are the five different types of cockroaches in California. Every species has its unique qualities.
1. Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches have a look that is glossy and dark, and they are sometimes referred to as water bugs.
Because they favor living in wet or moist environments and their bodies have a shiny dark look, oriental cockroaches are also frequently referred to as water bugs or black beetles.
This is because they have a glossy dark appearance. The sewers, drains, wet basements, porches, and other moist regions in homes are common places where you’ll discover this particular roach species.
They have a pungent odor, and people in California believe them to be among the dirtiest bugs in the state.
They are notorious for transmitting food sickness, diarrhea, E. coli, and Salmonella, and it is typically more challenging to get rid of them than other types of cockroaches.
2. Brown-banded Cockroach
The second mention on our list of different types of cockroaches in California is the Brown-banded Cockroach.
The wings and abdomen of the brown-banded Cockroach have two lighter bands, and the Cockroach’s body ranges in color from tan to light brown (hence its name).
It is the smallest Cockroach species in California, with a length of approximately 10 to 14 mm (0.39 to 0.55 in).
It’s interesting to note that this small domestic roach can be seen in open spaces like living rooms and bedrooms (because they need less moisture than the other cockroaches). Since they shun the light, their activity level is higher at night.
3. Turkestan Cockroach
The Turkestan cockroach, often known as the “rusty red cockroach,” is the newest species of different types of cockroaches in California.
The female Turkestan cockroaches have a dark brown to black color with lighter stripes, while the males are a reddish or orange-brown color.
They are most prevalent in outdoor environments and may typically reside in places such as leaf litter, gaps between concrete, compost piles, potted plants, and sewer systems.
However, they frequently enter structures searching for a cooler (ideally, damper) location to hide inside. Unfortunately, Turkestan cockroaches are becoming a nuisance in California homes and surrounding areas.
4. German Cockroach
It is general knowledge that the German Cockroach is the most bothersome and tenacious of all the different types of cockroaches in California.
They can appear light brown or tan, with the female being a shade or two darker than the male. They require a warm, moist, and dark environment in order to survive and reproduce, and they do so in confined places around sinks and walls.
The German Cockroach is the species of Cockroach that is most likely to be found inside of a building and may be found invading most structures, particularly those located close to areas used for food preparation and storage.
It should not come as a surprise given how quickly they reproduce and spread, as a single female German cockroach is capable of causing a breeding explosion of up to 30,000 roaches in just one year!
5. American Cockroach
With a length of approximately 4 centimeters (1.6 inches), the American Cockroach is the longest of all the roach species known to invade homes in California (and the rest of the United States).
This large roach has reddish-brown coloring, which allows it to remain active throughout the year in warm and wet areas within homes and apartments.
If there is a large population of American cockroaches, you will be able to smell them. Their odorous secretions can change the flavor of food, and you will be able to tell if there is a large population because you will be able to smell them.
They are also known to be one of the insects that can run the fastest, being able to disappear from view at the first sign of danger.
The American Cockroach can cover approximately three times the distance in one second than a cheetah in one body length.
How Can You Eliminate Roaches in California?
If you have ever had to deal with an infestation of cockroaches inside your home, you can attest that cockroaches are obstinate and resilient pests.
A good rule of thumb to follow while dealing with roaches is that for every roach you see, there are at least a dozen more of them.
You can take straightforward approaches, even if it may be challenging to eliminate cockroaches altogether.
However, to successfully force cockroaches out of your home, you must first determine the species of cockroaches you are dealing with and the locations within your home where they are hiding.
Then, in order to get rid of these roaches, you have the option of selecting one or more of the following control methods:
- Call pest control
- Borax
- Bait stations
- Earth composed diatoms
- Bait traps
- Gel baits
- Silica aerogel
- Insecticidal sprays
Unfortunately, using insecticides is insufficient to eliminate a cockroach infestation. To avoid future infestations, you will need to implement the appropriate hygienic precautions.
Maintaining cleanliness in your kitchen is essential if you want to avoid having roaches as a guest. Cockroaches flourish in environments with easy access to both food and water.
Put your food in containers that won’t let air in, and keep the garbage cans far away. In addition, please make an effort to prevent them from entering your home by blocking up the most common entry points and hiding places, like cracks or holes.
You may require the assistance of a professional pest control provider if you are dealing with a severe cockroach infestation problem beyond your control.
