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Wildlife Spotlight: American vs. German Cockroaches

Side-by-side comparison graphic titled “Wildlife Spotlight” showing American Roaches vs. German Roaches. American Roaches: large (up to 2"), can fly, live outdoors. German Roaches: small (under 1"), do not fly, live indoors. Includes labeled photos of each

Wildlife Spotlight: American vs. German Cockroaches

Not All Roaches Are Created Equal

Let’s be honest—no one’s happy to see a cockroach. But if you’re in North Texas and you spot one scurrying through your kitchen, it’s worth knowing which kind you’re dealing with.

American and German cockroaches are the two most common species we treat in the DFW area—and while they’re both unwelcome, they behave very differently.

Here’s how to tell them apart and why it matters for treatment.

🪳 American Cockroaches

A.K.A. Waterbugs, Palmetto Bugs, or Those Giant Ones That Fly

  • Size: About 1.5–2 inches long

  • Color: Reddish-brown with a yellow "halo" behind the head

  • Where you’ll find them:

    • Garages, attics, crawlspaces

    • Drains, utility rooms, under sinks

    • Anywhere warm and humid

  • Activity: Primarily outdoors, but enter homes for food or shelter

  • Flight: Yes. Unfortunately.

The Big Deal: American roaches aren’t usually nesting inside your living spaces. If you see one, it likely came in from outside, through a drain, or from an attached garage. They’re fast, and yes—some do fly.

Treatment Focus: Exclusion, moisture control, and targeted residual treatments in dark, damp areas.

🪳 German Cockroaches

A.K.A. The Kitchen Nightmare

  • Size: ½ to ⅝ of an inch

  • Color: Light brown with two parallel stripes behind the head

  • Where you’ll find them:

    • Kitchens, pantries, and under appliances

    • Bathrooms and behind warm electronics

    • Anywhere with food, water, and warmth

  • Activity: Indoors only—they don’t survive outside

  • Flight: Nope, but they’re fast.

The Big Deal: German roaches nest inside your home and multiply rapidly. A single egg case can hatch 30–40 nymphs, and infestations can go from “not bad” to “nightmare” in just a few weeks.

Treatment Focus: Requires a structured treatment plan with baiting, insect growth regulators, and follow-up services to eliminate nests—not just the ones you see.

🧠 Why It Matters

Roaches aren’t a one-size-fits-all pest.

  • American roaches need perimeter defense and moisture reduction.

  • German roaches need a full interior plan, usually in kitchens or bathrooms.

Misidentifying them can lead to the wrong treatment—and that’s time (and money) wasted.

Think you’ve got roaches? Don’t guess—call us. Our technicians are trained to spot the difference and build a treatment plan that actually works. Whether it’s a waterbug in your shower or a full-blown kitchen invasion, we’ll take care of it fast.