American cockroaches in Florida

The American cockroach is the big reddish-brown roach most Floridians call a palmetto bug. Adults are about 1½ to 2 inches long, with a light band behind the head, and they can fly short distances. In Florida they live mostly outdoors, in mulch, palm trees, sewers, storm drains and crawl spaces, and wander inside through gaps, drains and doors.

Signs of American cockroaches

• Large roaches in bathrooms, garages or utility rooms, often at night
• Dark smear marks along walls and baseboards
• Dark brown egg cases near hiding spots

Why they come inside

Heavy rain, cooler nights and dry spells all drive American cockroaches indoors looking for shelter, warmth or water. UF/IFAS notes they’re more common in commercial buildings than homes, so a few in a house usually point to an entry or moisture problem rather than an indoor population.

How to keep them out

1. Seal gaps around doors, plumbing and utility lines.
2. Keep drains covered and fix leaks and AC condensate drips.
3. Run water in sinks, tubs and showers that aren’t used often at least once a week, so the drains don’t dry out and give roaches a way in.
4. Pull mulch and leaf litter a few inches back from the foundation.
5. Keep garage and outdoor trash tightly closed.

How DNR treats American cockroaches

We start outside: treating the perimeter, mulch beds and other outdoor harborage, then sealing the entry points they use. Inside, we treat the areas where they hide and shelter. Call 727-594-0404 or book a free consult.

Related pest spotlights: Palmetto Bugs vs. Cockroaches, Australian Cockroach and German Cockroach.

FAQ

Are American cockroaches the same as palmetto bugs? Usually, yes. “Palmetto bug” is a common Florida nickname for the American cockroach, and sometimes for the Australian or Florida woods cockroach. See our Palmetto Bugs vs. Cockroaches page.

How do I tell an American cockroach from an Australian cockroach? They’re similar in size and color, but the Australian cockroach has light yellow streaks along the edges of its wings near the body. See our Australian Cockroach page.

Do American cockroaches infest homes like German roaches? Rarely. They mostly live outside and wander in, while German roaches live and breed indoors.

Source: University of Florida/IFAS, American cockroach. Reviewed by Ricky Williams, Certified Operator in Charge.