The American cockroach’s claim to fame is that it is the largest species of house invading cockroach found in the U.S. They have the potential to o grow to more than 3 inches in length; however, they are more likely grow to between 1 ½ and 2 inches in length. American roaches are dark, reddish brown in color, with a lighter color outlining their body, and have a yellowish colored figure-8 pattern located behind their head.  Both female and male American roaches have fully developed wings that are longer than their body, and both are capable of flight.

Oriental roaches are often referred to as water bugs because like to live in places that are very damp, dark, and cool. Oriental roaches are a fairly large species, adults grow to about one inch in length; their bodies are smooth and shiny black in color. They emit a very powerful, musty, foul smelling odor. Both sexes have wings but neither is capable of flying.

The German cockroach is the most common type of roach found invading homes and businesses. They are very invasive, squeezing their bodies through the tiniest of cracks to invade structures. Adult German cockroaches grow to between ½ and 5/8th of an inch in length. Their flat bodies are light brown or tan in color and have two distinctive black stripes running horizontally down behind their head. While both female and male German roaches have wings, they rarely fly.  Instead they are very fast runners and that’s how they travel.

Adult brown-banded cockroaches grow to about ½ of an inch in length.  They are light brown in color, and as their name suggests they have very distinctive banding going across their wings. Females have a shorter and stouter body shape than the males and while males are good flyers, females are not capable of flight.