About Roaches
What Are Roaches?
Cockroaches are fast-breeding, nocturnal insects that scavenge for food and moisture. Florida is home to several species, most commonly German cockroaches indoors and American cockroaches, often called palmetto bugs, which move between outdoor spaces, sewers, and homes. Both are active year-round in Florida's climate, and both can establish a population fast once they find a reliable source of food and water.
Identification
German cockroaches are small, light brown, and marked with two dark parallel stripes behind the head. American cockroaches, the palmetto bugs commonly seen in Florida, are much larger, reddish-brown, and capable of short, startling flights. Both are nocturnal and tend to scatter quickly when lights come on, which is often the first time they're noticed at all.
German vs. American: Why the Difference Matters
These two species behave differently, which changes how a problem gets solved. German cockroaches typically stay indoors and concentrate near kitchens and bathrooms, while American cockroaches often travel in from outside through drains, sewer lines, and garages, especially after heavy rain.
Small, light brown, two dark stripes, stays indoors near food and moisture
Large, reddish-brown, capable of short flights, moves in from outside or sewer lines
Signs of an Infestation
Roaches are experts at staying hidden, so most infestations are confirmed through indirect signs rather than daytime sightings.
Habitat and Behavior
German cockroaches concentrate wherever food and moisture are easiest to find, usually kitchens and bathrooms, and rarely wander far from that source once established. American cockroaches behave differently, often living outdoors, in storm drains, or in sewer systems, then moving indoors through gaps around plumbing, garages, or doors, particularly during wet weather.
Why Florida Sees Palmetto Bugs Year-Round
Florida's warm, humid climate and extensive network of storm drains and canals give American cockroaches ideal conditions to thrive outdoors, which is why they show up indoors more often here than in drier or colder regions. Without a real winter die-off, populations stay active in every season.
Risks
Cockroaches don't bite or sting, but they carry bacteria picked up from sewers, drains, and garbage, which they can spread onto countertops and food surfaces as they move through a home. Droppings and shed skins are also a known trigger for allergies and asthma, particularly in children. A heavy infestation is as much a health and air-quality issue as it is a nuisance.
Prevention Tips
When to Call a Professional
Cockroaches, especially German cockroaches, breed fast enough that a visible problem is usually a sign of a much larger hidden population. Store-bought sprays can kill roaches on contact but rarely reach egg cases tucked deep in cracks and behind appliances, which means the population can rebound within weeks.
Time to Call in Help If:
You're seeing roaches during the day, which often means the hidden population has outgrown its hiding spots, droppings or egg cases keep turning up after cleaning, or a DIY treatment hasn't slowed activity down. Professional treatment targets the full population, not just what's visible.
Roach Control Near You
Price Termite & Pest Control treats cockroach infestations across Melbourne, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.