EcoGuard Pest Management
Various cockroach species comparison
By Gary Anderson||7 min read

Common Types of Cockroaches in California

Identify the 7 most common cockroach species, their behavior, and how to get rid of them.

Cockroaches are extremely persistent bugs that have existed for millions of years. There are hundreds of cockroach species globally, but only a handful are commonly found in homes and businesses in the United States.

If you see a cockroach on your property, there are likely more where it came from. Identification and treatment should be prioritized immediately to prevent an infestation.

2 Groups of Cockroaches

Domestic: Adapted to live alongside humans indoors. Found in kitchens, bathrooms, and businesses.

Peridomestic: Prefer outdoor environments but will come inside when conditions become extreme.

Quick ID Guide

German: Light brown, 2 stripes on head
American: Reddish brown, 3+ inches
Oriental: Shiny black, short wings
Smoky Brown: Dark glossy, long wings
DOMESTICMOST COMMON

German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

Appearance

  • Light brown/tan oval body with 6 legs and wings
  • 2 side-by-side dark stripes on back of head
  • About 1/2 inch long
  • Antennae much longer than body

Behavior

One of the most common species in California. Scavengers found in kitchens and pantries. Also like warmth and humidity, so common in electronics and bathrooms.

Life Cycle

Fastest reproduction of all species. Mature in 60 days, live 20-30 weeks. Females produce up to 40 eggs every 1-2 months. Nymphs molt up to 7 times.

Treatment

Many have developed pesticide resistance. Use several different cockroach pesticides to ensure populations are kept under control.

DOMESTIC

Brown Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

Appearance

  • Brown oval body with 6 legs and wings
  • Light color band across back (females/nymphs)
  • Dark bands on males
  • 1/2 inch long (smallest residential species)

Behavior

Found in kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, and garages. Unique: prefer elevated areas instead of ground level. Primarily nocturnal and avoid light, making them difficult to detect.

Life Cycle

Develop in 20-24 weeks, live another 13-45 weeks as adults. Females produce up to 14 egg cases with up to 18 eggs each. Reproduce at frightening rates.

Treatment

Cockroach baits placed strategically on shelves in cupboards and bookcases. Place in elevated locations where they are most likely to be.

PERIDOMESTICLARGEST

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

Appearance

  • Reddish brown oval body with 6 legs and wings
  • Up to 3 inches (largest household cockroach)
  • 2 lighter colored rings behind head

Behavior

Prefer outdoors but now dominant in sewers. Follow drains into homes. Common hitchhikers from restaurants and grocery stores. Secrete allergens that cause asthma attacks.

Life Cycle

Longest lifespan: average 700 days, up to 1,370 days. Up to 970 days developing into adults. About 10 egg cases with 16 eggs each. Nymphs molt up to 13 times.

Treatment

Baits and roach motels are effective. Place in kitchen drawers, beside appliances (ovens, refrigerators), and under sinks.

Not Sure What Type of Cockroach You Have?

Our professionals can identify the species and create a customized treatment plan.

Call (866) 326-2847
PERIDOMESTICWATER BUG

Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

Appearance

  • Shiny black oval body with 6 legs
  • About 1 inch long
  • Males have short wings exposing bodies
  • Females do not have wings at all

Behavior

Called "water bugs" because they prefer damp, humid areas. Found in bathrooms around drains, pipes, under sinks, sewers, and storm drains. Give off a musty odor.

Life Cycle

Reach adulthood after 6-10 nymph stages (24-130 weeks). Females produce about 8 egg cases with 15 eggs each. Survive another 6 months after reaching adulthood.

Treatment

Cockroach baits placed where there is moisture: under sinks, basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

PERIDOMESTICRAPID SPREADER

Turkestan Cockroach (Blatta lateralis)

Appearance

  • Females: dark brown/black, 1 inch long
  • Males: smaller, rusty colored with light wings
  • Oval body with 6 legs and wings
  • Cream colored edges on body

Behavior

Thrive outside in warm, dry climates. Build nests in undisturbed parts of yards. Attracted to light, which draws them indoors in evenings.

Life Cycle

Live up to 13 months. Produce an egg case with 14 eggs every 2 weeks. Up to 350 eggs over lifetime. Competing with German cockroaches for dominance.

Treatment

Outdoor baits and perimeter spray. They prefer to stay outdoors, so baits attract and kill them. Perimeter spray kills any that try to come inside.

PERIDOMESTIC

Smoky Brown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)

Appearance

  • Dark glossy brown oval body with 6 legs
  • Up to 2 inches
  • Dark wings that extend beyond the body

Behavior

Attracted to high humidity and heat. Prefer outdoors but come in when conditions are difficult or through open windows near lights. Often hitchhike in firewood and storage boxes.

Life Cycle

Take up to 320 days to reach maturity. Live another 6 months as adults. Females produce 10-20 egg cases with 20 eggs each.

Treatment

Perimeter spray is effective since they are outdoor cockroaches. When they cross the perimeter, they become infected and die off.

PERIDOMESTICSHORTEST LIFESPAN

Field Cockroach (Blattella vaga)

Appearance

  • Greyish to olive color oval body
  • 6 legs and wings
  • 2 dark stripes on head
  • 1/2 inch long

Behavior

Prefer to stay outdoors unless too dry and hot. May migrate inside during peak summer heat. Found in leaf piles and under shrubbery. Not deterred by light and active all day.

Life Cycle

Shortest lifespan: about 90 days. Produce 1-2 egg cases with up to 40 eggs each. Capable of rapid expansion in short periods.

Treatment

Outdoor baits and perimeter spray. Spray residual pesticide wherever they are seen and along the perimeter of the home to keep them out.

Contact EcoGuard if You Are Dealing with Cockroaches

If you are starting to see signs of cockroaches, it likely means there is a larger presence that has not been discovered yet. EcoGuard Pest Management will get rid of your cockroaches immediately using an integrated pest management approach. This ensures that cockroaches are treated for and prevented from returning.

Call (866) 326-2847Get Free Quote

Cockroach Species FAQs

What are the worst cockroaches to have?

The worst cockroach to have has historically been the German cockroach. They are one of the most rapid reproducers which can cause their populations to explode in a short period. There is another roach species competing for dominance: the Turkestan cockroach. Luckily, the Turkestan cockroach prefers to be outdoors unlike its German cousin who has no problem invading homes.

Which roaches infest your house?

The species that will find their way into your home and stay include: German cockroach, Brown banded cockroach, American cockroach, Smoky brown cockroach, Oriental cockroach, Turkestan cockroach, and Field cockroach.

How do I know what kind of roaches I have?

Each species shares common traits like oval bodies with 6 legs. Determining the species requires knowing different patterns: German cockroach has dark stripes on head, Brown banded has brown bands on back, American is reddish brown and 2-3 inches long, Smoky brown is mahogany with long wings, Oriental is dark brown/black with short wings, Turkestan males are light while females are dark, and Field cockroach is olive with 2 stripes behind eyes.

What is the most common cockroach?

German cockroaches are the most common species found in California. They reproduce the most and are capable of finding the resources they need to survive in any environment.

From Our Blog

Related Articles

Brown Banded Cockroaches: Identification, Control & Prevention

Brown Banded Cockroaches: Identification, Control & Prevention

Learn how to identify and eliminate brown banded cockroaches with our comprehensive guide. Discover effective...

Read Article
Can Cockroaches Fly? Which Species Fly & Why

Can Cockroaches Fly? Which Species Fly & Why

Learn which cockroach species can fly, why they fly, and how to get rid of flying cockroaches. Discover the difference...

Read Article
Cockroach Life Cycle: Eggs, Nymphs & Adult Stages

Cockroach Life Cycle: Eggs, Nymphs & Adult Stages

Learn about the cockroach life cycle stages from egg to nymph to adult. Understand lifespans by species and how many...

Read Article
Cockroach Repellent: Natural and Commercial Solutions That Work

Cockroach Repellent: Natural and Commercial Solutions That Work

Discover effective cockroach repellents including scientifically proven essential oils, commercial products, and DIY...

Read Article
Do Cockroaches Bite? What Bites Look Like & How to Treat

Do Cockroaches Bite? What Bites Look Like & How to Treat

Learn if cockroaches bite humans, what roach bites look like, how to treat them, and the real dangers cockroaches pose...

Read Article
Do Cockroaches Transmit Diseases? Health Risks Explained

Do Cockroaches Transmit Diseases? Health Risks Explained

Learn which diseases cockroaches can transmit, how they spread pathogens, and effective prevention methods to protect...

Read Article
Do Roach Bombs Work? The Truth About Cockroach Foggers

Do Roach Bombs Work? The Truth About Cockroach Foggers

Scientific research proves roach bombs fail to eliminate infestations. Learn why foggers don\

Read Article
German Cockroaches vs American Cockroaches: Key Differences & Control

German Cockroaches vs American Cockroaches: Key Differences & Control

Learn to identify German vs American cockroaches by size, color, and behavior. Discover species-specific control...

Read Article
How to Find Where Cockroaches Are Coming From

How to Find Where Cockroaches Are Coming From

Discover where cockroaches enter your home, their common hiding spots by species, and effective prevention methods to...

Read Article
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches: Complete Treatment Guide

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches: Complete Treatment Guide

Learn how to get rid of cockroaches with pesticides, natural methods, baits, and professional treatment. Prevention...

Read Article
How to Identify and Get Rid of Cockroach Eggs

How to Identify and Get Rid of Cockroach Eggs

Learn to identify cockroach eggs by species, where to find oothecas, how often roaches lay eggs, and effective...

Read Article
How to Identify Cockroach Poop: Complete Identification Guide

How to Identify Cockroach Poop: Complete Identification Guide

Learn how to identify cockroach droppings by size, shape, and location. Understand health risks and get tips for...

Read Article
Is This a Baby Cockroach? Identification Guide

Is This a Baby Cockroach? Identification Guide

Learn how to identify baby cockroaches (nymphs), understand what their presence means, and discover effective methods...

Read Article
Oriental Cockroach Facts and Information

Oriental Cockroach Facts and Information

Learn about oriental cockroaches including appearance, behavior, life cycle, health risks, signs of infestation, and...

Read Article
Palmetto Bugs vs Cockroach: What Is the Difference?

Palmetto Bugs vs Cockroach: What Is the Difference?

Learn the difference between palmetto bugs and cockroaches, which species are called palmetto bugs, and effective...

Read Article
What Are Cockroaches? Identification, Behavior & Facts

What Are Cockroaches? Identification, Behavior & Facts

Learn about cockroaches including appearance, behavior, reproduction, species, and what attracts them. Complete guide...

Read Article
What Are German Cockroaches? Complete Identification Guide

What Are German Cockroaches? Complete Identification Guide

Learn about German cockroaches, how to identify them, their behavior, health risks, and effective methods to eliminate...

Read Article
What Attracts Cockroaches Into Your Home? Prevention Tips

What Attracts Cockroaches Into Your Home? Prevention Tips

Learn what attracts cockroaches including food, water, shelter, and smells. Discover prevention tips and what draws...

Read Article
What Do Cockroaches Eat? Complete Diet Guide

What Do Cockroaches Eat? Complete Diet Guide

Learn what cockroaches eat including their preferred foods, how they find food, and how to eliminate food sources....

Read Article
Where Do Cockroaches Live? Indoor & Outdoor Habitats Explained

Where Do Cockroaches Live? Indoor & Outdoor Habitats Explained

Discover where cockroaches live outside and inside your home. Learn species-specific hiding spots, entry points, and...

Read Article
Why Are Cockroaches Bad? Health Risks, Diseases & Dangers Explained

Why Are Cockroaches Bad? Health Risks, Diseases & Dangers Explained

Discover why cockroaches are dangerous: disease transmission, asthma triggers, allergens, and psychological impacts....

Read Article
Why Are There Suddenly So Many Cockroaches in My House?

Why Are There Suddenly So Many Cockroaches in My House?

Discover why cockroaches suddenly appear in your home even if it\

Read Article
Why Do Cockroaches Come Out at Night? Nocturnal Behavior Explained

Why Do Cockroaches Come Out at Night? Nocturnal Behavior Explained

Discover why cockroaches are nocturnal, where they hide during the day, and what nighttime activity means for your...

Read Article