Cockroaches 101: types of roaches in Arizona

Most people agree that cockroaches are pretty creepy! The last thing you want to see when you turn on the light during your midnight snack is a roach scurrying away. Like rodents and other pests, cockroaches are hard to get rid of unless you hire a professional. Unfortunately, there are a few common types of roaches that live in Arizona.

American Cockroach

These roaches are large, measuring in around 1.5 to 3 inches long! You can recognize them by their reddish-brown color and the bright yellow band behind their head.

They prefer to be outside and live in warmer climates, such as Arizona. They can be found anywhere warm and humid, including flower beds, trees, brush, and any other landscaping that has moisture from rain, drains, or even your irrigation system.

Although there is plenty for them to eat outside, the American cockroach may venture into your home to find additional sources of food and water.

This type of cockroach has wings and can fly or glide for short distances. They are very fast and agile, making them difficult to squish.

Brown Banded Cockroaches

These little guys are one of the smaller types of roaches, with adults only reaching about a 1/2 inch in length. Male brown banded cockroaches are a lighter brown, compared to the darker brown of females. Both will have two golden bands that cross their bodies around their wings and abdomen.

Brown banded cockroaches can live indoors and outdoors. They especially love your home because it provides a steady supply of their favorite foods, including starchy snacks, wallpaper glue, stamps, and even book bindings.

Unlike other types of roaches, the brown banded cockroach tries to stay away from water. They prefer warm, dry places such as attics, ceilings, floorboards, and appliances that give off heat.

German Cockroaches

Although no cockroach is a preferred houseguest, the German cockroach is one of the most difficult to get rid of. Their small size, only 1/2 to 5/8 inches long, and quick reproduction rate makes them a challenge. They are very light tan and may have some darker brown or black areas around the edges of their body and head.

This type of cockroach can be found in dark, slightly damp areas, such as under your kitchen sink or in the bathroom. German cockroaches do have wings; however, they can’t fly.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are an average-sized roach. They’re usually between one and one and 1/4 inches in length. These are easy to identify because they don’t have the brown coloring of other roaches. Unlike many of the other species, their shells are jet black and very shiny.

Water bugs, or Oriental cockroaches, need water to survive. You won’t usually find these in your home unless you have a leak or other source of constant water. Oriental cockroaches are found outdoors in gutters, under piles of leaves, or even in mulch beds.

Unlike the females, males Oriental cockroaches have wings. However, neither fly.

Call Budget Brothers

Whether you’re worried about an infestation, a bite, or just the general dirtiness that roaches imply, Budget Brothers is here to help you. Cockroaches can multiply quickly and are difficult to get rid of. If you need to eliminate roaches from your residence or business, contact Budget Brothers today.