A Guide To American Cockroaches In Jacksonville, FL

What do American cockroaches look like?

The largest cockroaches that invade homes and businesses in Florida are American cockroaches. They are reddish-brown and have a yellow “figure-8” marking on the shield located behind their heads.

Adults grow to between 1 ½ and 2 inches in length, have wings, and fly short distances. However, like most roaches, they move the quickest from place to place using their legs.

American roaches are also referred to as palmetto bugs as they are commonly found living on or around palmetto trees. Though American cockroaches happily live outside, they won’t hesitate to move inside homes and businesses seeking moisture or food.

When are American cockroaches most active?

In Florida, American cockroaches are a year-round pest problem, especially those that have found their way inside our temperature-controlled homes and businesses. American cockroaches have high moisture needs. Outside, they live in garden areas, mulch, in or on trees, or around sewers or drains. While looking for food or shelter, American cockroaches move inside through gaps under door frames, damaged trim around windows and doors, open windows, vents, drains, and other openings they discover. Once inside, they will move to dark, moist areas: water pipes, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, sump pump openings, and other sources of moisture. American cockroaches are nocturnal. They hide during the day and become active at night, scavenging for food.

Are American cockroaches dangerous?

When it comes to American cockroaches, it is essential to remember that before living in your yard or home, they were traveling through and feeding on decaying plant and animal matter in less-than-sanitary areas.

As cockroaches travel and feed, they can pick up a variety of bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites. Once inside a home, they can contaminate food, dishes, food-prep areas, and other surfaces with things that will make you and your family ill.

Allergies to American cockroach excrement and shed skins are common and can create symptoms that include runny noses, itchy eyes, and even skin rashes. They are also known for triggering allergy attacks, especially in young kids or those with respiratory issues.

American cockroaches produce foul-smelling secretions that affect the flavor of food stored inside your home or business.

How do I get rid of American cockroaches?

American cockroaches quickly adapt to any environment; they thrive pretty much anywhere they take up residence. This adaptability makes it challenging to control these pests. It is recommended that you call an experienced pest control company to get rid of cockroaches.

At Lindsey Pest Services, we’ve been providing effective roach control since 1957. We use several techniques and tools to get rid of these pests. To learn about eliminating American cockroaches through our residential or commercial pest control services, reach out today!