Cockroaches
Cockroaches are fast, flat-bodied insects that hide by day and feed at night, and South Florida's heat and humidity support more kinds than most of the country. Large outdoor species, the ones Floridians call palmetto bugs, wander in from mulch, palms and sewers, while the small German cockroach breeds inside kitchens and bathrooms and spreads from unit to unit in apartments and condos.
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What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are flat, oval insects with long antennae, spiny legs and, in most species, two pairs of wings. They hide in dark, sheltered places during the day and come out at night to feed on almost anything: crumbs, grease, garbage, pet food, paper, glue and dead insects. Water is the most important thing they need to survive, which is why kitchens, bathrooms, drains and damp outdoor areas attract them.
Few places suit cockroaches better than South Florida. UF/IFAS lists the Florida woods cockroach, the American, smokybrown, brown, Australian, German and Asian cockroaches, plus the brown-banded cockroach, among the species Florida homeowners deal with. The year-round heat, the humidity, the rainy season from May through October, the lush landscaping and the region’s sewers and storm drains give them food, water and shelter in every season.
South Florida cockroaches fall into two groups, and the difference matters for control:
- Outdoor (peridomestic) cockroaches. The large American, Australian, brown and smokybrown cockroaches, commonly called palmetto bugs, live mostly outside in mulch, palms, tree holes, woodpiles, attics and sewers. They wander in, but UF/IFAS notes that outdoor cockroaches do not survive well indoors.
- Indoor cockroaches. The German cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach live and breed inside buildings. These are the species behind serious infestations in kitchens, apartments, condos and restaurants.
How to Identify Cockroaches
Start with size and where you saw it:
- Big (1 to 1.6 inches), seen at night near doors, garages, drains or the patio: most likely a palmetto bug, such as an American, smokybrown, Australian or Florida woods cockroach.
- Small (about 1/2 inch), in the kitchen or bathroom, often in groups: most likely a German cockroach.
- Small, with light bands across the body, in bedrooms, closets, furniture or high on walls: possibly a brown-banded cockroach.
- Looks like a German cockroach but flies toward porch lights in the evening: possibly an Asian cockroach, which UF/IFAS reports has spread through much of Florida; it lives outdoors and is attracted to the lights of buildings.
Cockroach nymphs (young roaches) look like small adults without full wings. Female cockroaches produce a purse-shaped egg case, called an ootheca. Finding these egg cases, droppings or shed skins helps confirm which species you have.
Cockroach Species in South Florida
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana, the classic palmetto bug. The largest common cockroach around homes, averaging about 1.5 inches, reddish brown with a pale yellowish band around the edge of the shield behind the head. Thousands can live in a single sewer manhole. Outdoors it lives in tree holes, woodpiles, mulch and garbage areas; indoors it is more common in commercial buildings and can move in after heavy rain.
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica. About 3/8 to 9/16 inch long, brown with two dark parallel stripes behind the head. It cannot survive away from people and lives in kitchens and bathrooms. The female carries her egg case, with 30 to 40 eggs, until just before it hatches, and the life cycle takes about 100 days, so populations grow very fast.
Smokybrown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa. About 1 to 1 1/4 inches long and uniformly dark mahogany brown to black. A strong flier that is attracted to light and enters buildings through lit openings. It lives in tree holes, woodpiles and attics.
Australian Cockroach
Periplaneta australasiae. About 1.3 inches long, reddish brown to dark brown, with a light yellow band along the outer edge of each front wing. UF/IFAS calls it the most common cockroach found outdoors in southern Florida. It lives under bark, in firewood and in damp areas.
Florida Woods Cockroach
Eurycotis floridana, also called the stinkroach or skunk roach. A large, slow, reddish-brown to nearly black roach, 1.2 to 1.6 inches long, with only short wing pads, so it cannot fly. When threatened it releases an oily, smelly secretion that irritates skin and eyes. It lives in leaf litter, tree cavities, woodpiles and the bases of palms.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa. About 1/2 to 5/8 inch long, light gold to glossy dark brown, with yellowish bands across the wings and abdomen. It prefers drier spots than the German cockroach and turns up in bedrooms, closets, upper cabinets, behind picture frames and inside upholstered furniture.
Signs of a Cockroach Problem
- Live cockroaches running when you turn on a light at night.
- Droppings (feces) in drawers, cabinets, under sinks and along baseboards.
- Egg cases (oothecae) in corners, cabinets, behind appliances or in the garage.
- Shed skins and dead roaches under sinks, appliances and furniture.
- Small nymphs around the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or bathroom vanity (a sign of German cockroaches breeding indoors).
Why Cockroaches Are a Problem
Cockroaches walk through drains, garbage and sewers and then across counters, dishes and food. According to UF/IFAS, at least 22 species of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, plus several kinds of parasitic worms, have been isolated from field-collected American cockroaches, and cockroaches soil items with their excrement and regurgitated food. Infestations of German cockroaches can cause severe allergic responses and can spread pathogens.
The EPA lists cockroaches among common asthma triggers. Droppings and body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma, and certain proteins in cockroach feces and saliva can cause allergic reactions in some people. That makes cockroach control especially important in homes with children or anyone with asthma, as well as in health care facilities, schools and restaurants, where an inspection that finds roaches can mean violations and lost business.
Large outdoor roaches are also simply unpleasant. Smokybrown cockroaches fly toward lights, American cockroaches come up through drains and the Florida woods cockroach can spray a smelly, irritating liquid when handled.
Where Cockroaches Hide in South Florida Homes and Businesses
- Kitchens. Behind and under the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher, inside cabinet hinges, under sinks and in the motors of appliances.
- Bathrooms. Behind vanities, around pipes and under loose tiles.
- Drains and sewers. American cockroaches live in sewer systems and storm drains and can enter through floor drains and dry plumbing traps.
- Attics and garages. Smokybrown and American cockroaches breed in warm, damp attics, garages and storerooms.
- Landscaping. Mulch, pine straw, ivy, leaf litter, woodpiles, tree holes and palm trees. UF/IFAS notes that large outdoor roaches breed prolifically in pine straw mulch and that ivy is a favorite breeding place.
- Cardboard and clutter. Corrugated cardboard boxes, paper bags and stacks of newspapers give roaches shelter and can carry German cockroaches into a home.
- Apartments, condos and high-rises. Shared plumbing and common walls let German cockroaches move between units.
- Restaurants, hotels and warehouses. Floor drains, loading docks, dumpsters, kitchen equipment and stored goods.
When Cockroaches Are Most Active in South Florida
| Season | Cockroach activity | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| January to March (dry season) | German cockroaches keep breeding indoors; during dry spells, outdoor roaches move inside looking for moisture | Fix leaks, empty refrigerator drip pans and seal gaps around pipes. |
| April to May | Outdoor populations build up as temperatures rise | Pull mulch back from the foundation and clear leaf litter and woodpiles. |
| May to October (rainy season) | Peak outdoor activity; American cockroach infestations indoors can follow heavy rain; smokybrown roaches fly to lights at night | Keep doors closed at night, repair screens and keep drains filled with water. |
| June to November (hurricane season) | Storm debris and yard waste give outdoor roaches new places to hide | Clean up debris quickly and store food and garbage in sealed containers. |
How to Prevent Cockroaches
- Remove water. Fix leaky faucets and pipes, do not overwater plants, empty refrigerator drip pans and wipe sinks dry at night. UF/IFAS calls water the most important survival factor for cockroaches.
- Remove food. Wash dishes promptly, clean crumbs from appliances and floors, store food and pet food in sealed containers and keep garbage in containers with tight lids.
- Reduce clutter. Recycle cardboard boxes, paper bags and old newspapers instead of storing them.
- Seal entry points. Caulk cracks and gaps around doors, windows, pipes and wires, repair screens and seal holes in shared walls. Adult cockroaches can squeeze into gaps about 1/16 inch wide.
- Manage the landscape. Keep mulch thin and about 1 foot from the foundation, stack firewood away from the house, fill tree holes and trim shrubs and ivy.
- Check deliveries. Inspect grocery bags, boxes and used appliances or furniture before bringing them inside.
- Keep drains working. Run water in unused floor drains and sinks so the traps stay full.
- Turn off outdoor lights when possible. Smokybrown and Asian cockroaches are attracted to lights.
How Toro Gets Rid of Cockroaches
- InspectionA Toro technician inspects your kitchen, bathrooms, attic, garage, drains and landscaping to find where the roaches are hiding, breeding and getting in.
- Species identificationWe identify the cockroach, because an outdoor palmetto bug problem needs a different plan than an indoor German cockroach infestation.
- Targeted treatmentWe treat cracks, crevices, voids and breeding sites inside, and the foundation, entry points and harborage outside, using products chosen for the species and applied according to their label directions. We also recommend sealing and sanitation steps that remove the food, water and shelter roaches need.
- Follow-up and preventionWe return to check results and treat new activity, which is especially important with German cockroaches. Our 110% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.
Since 1969, Toro has handled cockroaches in South Florida homes, condos and businesses, from Miami and Hollywood to Boca Raton. We provide commercial pest control for restaurants, hotels and property managers. Call 305-594-4767 for a free inspection and $25 off your first service. Hablamos Español.
Seeing signs of cockroaches? Get a free inspection and $25 off your first service.
Schedule Your Free InspectionCockroaches: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a palmetto bug and a cockroach?
There is none. Palmetto bug is a Florida nickname for large cockroaches that live mostly outdoors. UF/IFAS explains that the American, Australian, brown and smokybrown cockroaches are often called palmetto bugs, and the name is also used for the Florida woods cockroach. These large roaches usually breed outside and wander indoors, while the small German cockroach lives and breeds indoors.
Why do I have cockroaches in a clean house?
In South Florida, cleanliness does not keep large outdoor cockroaches out. They live in mulch, palms, tree holes, sewers and attics and come inside through gaps around doors, windows, pipes and wires, especially at night or when they are looking for moisture. German cockroaches are usually carried in with grocery bags or cardboard boxes, or they spread through shared walls and plumbing in apartments.
Are cockroaches dangerous to my health?
Cockroaches can contaminate food and surfaces with their droppings and regurgitated food, and researchers have isolated many kinds of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa from field-collected cockroaches. The EPA also lists cockroaches as an asthma trigger, because their droppings and body parts can trigger asthma, and certain proteins in cockroach feces and saliva can cause allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in some people.
Do cockroaches in Florida fly?
Some do. Smokybrown cockroaches are strong fliers that are attracted to lights, and Asian cockroaches fly toward porch lights and lit windows. Male American cockroaches have wings that extend past the tip of the abdomen. The Florida woods cockroach cannot fly at all, because it has only short wing pads and no hind wings, and it moves slowly.
How do I know if I have German cockroaches?
German cockroaches are small, about 3/8 to 9/16 inch long, light to dark brown, with two dark stripes running lengthwise behind the head. You usually find them in kitchens and bathrooms, near the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and sink. Small dark nymphs with the same stripes are a sign they are breeding indoors.
Can I get rid of cockroaches myself?
You can make a big difference by removing food, water and clutter, sealing cracks and keeping mulch away from the house. German cockroaches are harder, because they breed continuously and a single egg case holds 30 to 40 eggs. UF/IFAS notes that using chemicals alone is the least effective approach and can lead to insecticide resistance, so a professional integrated plan usually works better.
How long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?
It depends on the species and the size of the infestation. Large outdoor roaches can often be reduced quickly with exclusion, sanitation and perimeter treatment. Indoor German cockroach infestations take longer, because eggs keep hatching after the first treatment. UF/IFAS notes that insect growth regulators take four to six weeks to show results, so follow-up visits are part of the plan.
Related Pests
Pest Control Across South Florida
Toro treats cockroaches in homes and businesses throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including:
- Miami
- Hialeah
- Doral
- Miami Beach
- Coral Gables
- Homestead
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Pembroke Pines
- Miramar
- Boca Raton
- West Palm Beach
Last updated: October 29, 2026
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