American Cockroaches
Get to Know Us
Learn about our company history and who we are.

American Cockroach Identification & Prevention In Nassau & Suffolk County

What do American cockroaches look like?

Latin name: Periplaneta americana

Length: Adults can be slightly more than 50 mm (3 inches) long.

Color: Adult American cockroaches are reddish brown or mahogany colored. The area behind their heads is outlined with a yellow band.

Female American cockroaches make protective cases for their eggs. These cases are capsule-shaped. After forming a capsule, the roach deposits it in a warm, humid area. An average American roach egg capsule contains about 16 eggs.

When the eggs hatch, the tiny nymphs come out of the capsule. As they grow, the baby cockroaches shed their skins. If there is plenty of food, American cockroaches can develop from egg to adult in as little as 5½ months.

What is the behavior and diet of American cockroaches?

Both male and female American cockroaches can fly. The wings develop when the roaches become adults.

American cockroaches in New York normally live outdoors. They prefer warm, damp areas like flowerbeds, and under mulch. In many parts of the United States people call them “palmetto bugs” because they live on trees. American cockroaches are very common in sewer systems of many American cities.

American cockroaches enter homes to find water or food. They can easily pass under doors if the weather stripping is damaged. Basement windows and garages are also common entryways. When American cockroaches enter homes, they often go to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and basements.

Outdoors, American cockroaches eat leaves, tiny wood particles, fungi and algae. They also eat small insects. Indoors, American cockroaches forage under appliances, in drains, in kitchen cabinets and on the floor. They eat crumbs, scraps of food and spilled food that they find. They will also eat pet food that is left out overnight.

What are the signs of an American cockroach infestation?

Sightings

Homeowners may see these active cockroaches. American roaches can run very fast, and they usually scurry into a dark area. If they are startled, American roaches may even fly.

Droppings

American cockroaches leave their droppings in the dark areas where they hide. Homeowners may find these droppings in basements, in pantries or behind appliances.

American cockroach droppings are small, and sometimes people mistake them for mouse droppings. American cockroach droppings have ridges on the sides and they are blunt on the ends. Mouse droppings have pointed ends. Since mice groom themselves, mouse droppings often have hairs embedded in them.

Egg Capsules

American cockroach egg cases are about 38 mm long. They are dark-colored—reddish or blackish brown. Homeowners often find these egg cases in basements, in laundry rooms or kitchens. The egg cases may be under cabinets or behind appliances. American cockroaches also deposit their egg capsules behind stored items in garages and sheds.

Odor

Cockroaches produce a chemical called an “aggregation pheromone.” The odor of this chemical causes the roaches to stay together in groups. Some people describe the odor of these pheromones as having a “musty” smell. As the roach population starts to grow, people with sensitive noses may begin to notice this odor.

Reasons to Choose All State Pest Control

  • Hablamos Español
    Pest control services provided by a Spanish-speaking team.
  • Emergency Services Available
    Get the immediate help you need, whenever you need it.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    We're so confident you'll be happy with our services, we guarantee it.
  • Offering 100% Free Quotes
    Get started by giving us a call and setting up a free estimate.

How did I get American cockroaches?

One common sign of fire ant activity is the worker and swarmer ants. Other signs can be their sandy earthen mounds, which are usually more visible after recent rainfall, or the complaints of customers who are being stung by ants.

How serious are American cockroaches?

Cockroaches are filthy pests. They can spread disease, contaminate our food and cause allergies and even asthma. Cockroaches can pick up germs on their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then transfer these germs to food or onto food surfaces. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they are proven or suspected carriers of the organisms causing diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, typhoid fever and viral diseases such as poliomyelitis.

All State Pest Control encourages people to help reduce cockroach populations by removing all food and unnecessary water sources, sealing all cracks and crevices, vacuuming and removing shelter sites like cardboard and paper. To effectively manage a serious cockroach infestation, you must correctly identify the type of cockroach causing the infestation, which is why it is important to contact a pest control professional.

Continue Reading Read Less

Hear From Our Happy Customers

At All State Pest Control, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what people have to say about working with us.

    “Highly Recommend!”
    “I highly recommend this business as they are very professional and reasonably priced.”
    - Stray C.
    “Very Professional!”
    “The job was very thorough, very reasonably priced and Tom was very professional.”
    - Patrick M.
    “5 Star Service!”
    “So happy we used this company and will be using them again! Great work great owner and great service.”
    - Stefani J.
    “The Best!”
    “For bringing them so much work they occasionally offer us free treatments and that is just good business!”
    - Derek B.

How do I get rid of American cockroaches?

All State Pest Control is trained to help manage American cockroaches. Since every home is different, the All State Pest Control technician will design a unique program for your situation.

Keeping American cockroaches out of your home is an ongoing process, not a one-time treatment. All State Pest Control’s exclusive A.I.M. solution is a continuing cycle of three critical steps—Assess, Implement and Monitor.

All State Pest Control can provide the right solution to help keep American cockroaches in their place … out of your home.

Assess the situation

Your All State Pest Control technician will do a thorough inspection of your home—inside and outside. There are several things the technician will do during the inspection:

  • Locate areas of American cockroach activity.
  • Identify the causes of the American cockroach problem.
  • Look for entryways that American cockroaches could be using to get into your home.

Implement a customized solution

Since “cookie-cutter” treatments aren’t always effective, the technician will customize the treatment to the situation. He can select from a variety of tools and techniques to help keep American cockroaches out of your home:

  • Exclusion–Nonchemical methods such as caulking or door sweeps help keep American cockroaches from entering your home.
  • Landscape modification—If American roaches are living around your home, it may be necessary to remove dead leaves or rake mulch away from the foundation. The technician will point out these opportunities.
  • Gel or granular bait—These are applied in areas where American cockroaches will eat them but children or pets cannot reach them.
  • Insect growth regulator—Applied into cockroach hiding places, these interfere with the cockroaches’ normal development.
  • Residual insecticides—Applied into cracks and crevices, these help keep American cockroaches from hiding in the treated areas. The technician may also apply liquid insecticide outdoors to help keep American cockroaches from coming inside.

Monitor

Every time the technician returns to your home, he or she will make an inspection. There are several things he will do during the inspection:

  • Confirm that previous treatment was effective.
  • Check for new American cockroach activity.
  • Identify changes to the home or landscape that could make your home vulnerable to American cockroach invasion.

All State Pest Control can provide the right solution to keep American cockroaches in their place … out of your home. For more information on our cockroach control plan or to schedule an inspection, please contact your local All State Pest Control branch office.

Continue Reading Read Less

Contact All State Pest Control Today!

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please lookup your address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy

Affiliations & Accreditations

  • Home Advisor Screened & Approved
  • NPMA
  • Remax
  • Quality Pro