What Does a Cockroach Look Like?

It is not uncommon to hear people complain of bugs in their homes. However, few can differentiate between the different kinds of bugs. Some will assume that cockroaches are beetles or crickets are roaches. Don’t worry if you can’t tell the difference; we are here to give you a clear-cut difference of What Does a Cockroach Look Like? How to get rid of them?

What Does a Cockroach Look Like? How many legs do a cockroach have?

The scientific description of cockroaches is a six-legged insect with a flat body with three segments and wings. There are very many different varieties of cockroaches, 55 species in America, and so many similar traits. Here are the body parts of the cockroaches;

• Six legs
• A flat body
• 2 large eyes
• 2 flexible antennae’s
• The abdomen has 10 segments
• The thorax has 3 segments
• The tips of the legs have small claws
• Wings
• A sturdy Exoskeleton

The lifecycle

Cockroaches, like many insects, start their life cycle in eggs. Females lay eggs, which hatch into a nymph, which later matures to an adult. The number of eggs that the adult female cockroaches’ lays depends mainly on the species. Like the German cockroach, some species lay up to 40 eggs while the American cockroach lays about 16 eggs. The eggs are officially known as oothecae. 

The female cockroaches will find a safe place to lay their oothecae, such as cabinets and ceilings. It is essential to eradicate the roaches at this stage as it will prevent an infestation.

The different species

As we noted earlier, there are different kinds of cockroaches. In the US alone, there are about 55 species of cockroaches. Here are the most common types of cockroaches;

• American cockroaches- They are usually large and come with reddish-brown bodies wings. What separates are large insects with flattened, reddish-brown bodies and matching wings. The most common trait with American cockroaches is their wings are exposed instead of the hard outer casing.
• The German cockroaches- these are usually small in size, but the most distinct feature is the dark stripes found at the back. The stripes run parrel at the back of the cockroach.
• Oriental cockroach- This is the most distinct cockroach as it has a dark color. It is relatively large and has no wings. That means their only way of moving is by clawing, which makes them slow.
• Smokybrown cockroaches are similar to oriental roaches and are most likely going to be found indoors. They have a distinctive mahogany brown color and wings as large as their abdomen.

Females vs. Males

The adult female is larger than the male cockroaches. There are certain species where the females don’t grow wings.

Preferred conditions

Thou different species will prefer different conditions; most cockroaches will prefer warm, humid, and dark places. That makes any dark corner in the house a prime breeding ground for cockroaches.

What they feed on

Cockroaches are omnivores by nature. That means they will feed on virtually anything. They will eat paper, clothes, wood, and some even feed on wood.

Cockroaches vs. Ground Beetles

Cockroaches	Ground beetles
The body divided into three parts	The body divided into three parts
They rarely fly	They often fly
The head and mouth face downwards	The head and body is different from roaches
Most are reddish-brown	Similar color to cockroaches

Cockroaches vs. Crickets

Cockroaches	Crickets
Most are large	Most are smaller in size
The legs have claws on their tips	The legs are shaped differently
They have a relatively bright color	They are darker compared to cockroaches
They rarely jump	They are capable of jumping higher and further

Cockroaches vs. Water Bugs

Cockroaches	Water Bugs
Live in warm, dry conditions	Prefer to live close to water sources
Have similar looks to water bugs	Have similar looks to Cockroaches
They rarely feed on blood	They are blood-feed bugs
Smaller than Water Bugs	Larger than most cockroaches

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts cockroaches to homes?

Cockroaches come to homes in search of food. Thus, they will be attracted by leftover foods, pet foods, dirty dishes, crumbs on corners, and anything else they can feed on. Some will also be attracted by excessive moisture and garbage.

What bugs are mistaken for cockroaches?

Several bugs are usually mistaken for cockroaches, usually due to the similar structure and color. The most commonly mistaken bugs include crickets, water bugs, and ground beetles.

Will cockroaches go away on their own?

Most often than not, cockroaches will not go away on their own. They require pest repellents that need to the right application as roaches are stubborn. You need the best roach repellents which will do away with both cockroaches and their eggs.

How do I get rid of roaches permanently?

You can get rid of cockroaches permanently by correctly applying the right roach repellents. It is vital to note that some roaches are stubborn and will require persistence to eliminate them altogether. See more other way: Best Ultrasonic Pest Repeller.

What kills roaches and their eggs?

Different types of roach repellents can eradicate both the cockroaches and their eggs. The best repellent for this is the Advion bait Gel and DemonWP.

Why it matters to know cockroaches

How can you kill that which you don’t know?  Of course, you can’t. That’s why knowing what cockroaches look like is essential. Bearing in mind that some bugs have similar features as cockroaches, you need to know how they look so that you can flash them out and kill them.

Parting Shot

Cockroaches are disgusting, and you need to eradicate them before they breed out of control. If you notice one cockroach in the house, you need to act fast as that one cockroach will quickly become 50. There are many roach repellents in the market, and choosing the right one can be a handful.  But once you get the right repellent, ensure that you apply it skillfully. Above all, ensure that your home is clean and free from garbage, leftover food, and wet surfaces. Cockroaches will not only stain your clothes and surfaces but also cause illness. Keep them at bay.

If you have more information, please feel free to comment to add additional answers to our questions: What Does a Cockroach Look Like? How many legs do a cockroach have?

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