Which one is it? · Cockroaches
Which Florida Cockroach Is This?
The 'palmetto bug' on your lanai and the small one under the sink are almost always different species with different fixes. Compare every one we've verified, then read the guide for a closer match.
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
Keep an eye on it
- Can spread disease
How to tell: Reddish-brown, 1.5-2 inches long, with a pale yellowish band behind the head
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim via Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 2.5, resized.
Asian Cockroach
Blattella asahinai
Keep an eye on it
How to tell: Small, light brown roach with two dark stripes behind the head, nearly identical to a German cockroach
Australian Cockroach
Periplaneta australasiae
Keep an eye on it
How to tell: Large, reddish-brown roach similar in size to an American cockroach
Brown-banded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa
Worth a pro look
How to tell: Small tan to dark brown roach with two light bands crossing the wings and abdomen
Brown Cockroach
Periplaneta brunnea
Worth a pro look
How to tell: Large reddish-brown roach, almost identical in size and color to an American cockroach
Cuban Cockroach (green banana roach)
Panchlora nivea
Harmless
How to tell: Pale green to yellow-green roach, unlike any other common Florida roach color
Florida Woods Roach
Eurycotis floridana
Keep an eye on it
How to tell: Large, wide, dark reddish-brown to black roach, up to about 1.5 inches long
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
Worth a pro look
- Can spread disease
How to tell: Small, tan, with two dark parallel racing stripes behind the head
Roach Droppings and Egg Cases
Blattodea (sign)
Worth a pro look
How to tell: Droppings look like coarse ground pepper or small dark smears, often streaked along edges where roaches travel
Smokybrown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa
Keep an eye on it
- Can spread disease
How to tell: Uniform dark mahogany-to-black, no light band behind the head
Surinam Cockroach
Pycnoscelus surinamensis
Keep an eye on it
How to tell: Small, shiny, dark brown to black roach with pale tan wings that leave the tip of the head visible
Still Not Sure Which One You Have?
Text a photo and a licensed local tech will help you identify it for free. Some look-alikes can only be told apart in person, so we'll say if it needs an inspection. Or get a real price online in about 60 seconds.