Cockroaches

Cockroach Species Identification

4,000 known species call Earth home. Nevertheless, many species are not pests. 30 species will enter and live in human habitats. In our service area, our clients will likely encounter five species. Before you can put an end to the infestation, it is important to know which species you’re dealing with. Each species is different in terms of habits, habitats, and diets. More importantly, each species needs to be dealt with differently. If you don’t know the species, you likely won’t be able to get rid of them.

Some cockroach species are not pests, but many are. Below, you’ll find out about the primary cockroach species in our service area.

Which Cockroaches Live In Honolulu?

Honolulu is home to many cockroach species. However, you will most likely run into the following species.

German

First, you may encounter German cockroaches which can grow up to 5/8s of an inch. They’re light brown or tan and have racing stripes on their head. Unfortunately, German cockroaches and other species are prolific breeders so a small infestation will rapidly spiral out of control. A female German cockroach can lay 5 eggs with each containing 40 eggs during her lifetime. When they sneak into your home, they’ll be located under your appliances because they’re warm.

American

American cockroaches are problematic in our service area as well. These cockroaches grow up to two inches making them one of the largest cockroach species. Their color is reddish-brown and they have a darker center on their upper back. American cockroaches can fly and they’ll live for a long time. It takes them at least 6 months to mature, but it may take up to 2 years. After that, they’re going to stick around for another year or longer. They prefer being around areas that have broken sewer pipes as well as steam tunnels.

Our area is overflowing with cockroaches. Some of the other common species in our area include Pennsylvania Wood cockroaches, Mediterranean spotted cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, Smokeybrown cockroaches, Brown-banded cockroaches, and Surinam cockroaches.

Pennsylvania Wood

If you look at males and females of this species, you’d likely think they weren’t related. Adult males are much larger than adult females. They’re native to the Eastern United States, but they may be found in Honolulu as well. Although their presence is concerning, you’ll find that they’re not a pest often. Even if they enter your home, they will not reproduce there. They’ll do their best to return outside. Pennsylvania wood cockroaches can be a sign that you need to clean up your woodpiles or that your gutters are blocked.

Spotted Mediterranean

The spotted Mediterranean cockroach is small with few growing larger than a third of an inch in length. They’re light tan and have dark specks. It is a newcomer from Europe but is quickly spreading across the United States. Today, it can be found in several states, including Michigan and Hawaii. It likely won’t reproduce inside so it isn’t a big concern for homeowners.

Oriental

Oriental cockroaches are one of the largest species since they can grow up to 1 and ¼ inches. They’re black or dark brown. Females and males look much different because females do not develop wings. Males do and their wings will cover three-quarters of their body. Their behaviors are similar to American roaches. Although they can enter older dwellings, they mostly stay close to sewers. They’re cold-hardy so they’ll be able to survive winter easily.

Smokey Brown

These cockroaches are reddish-brown in color and may reach an inch and a half in length. Although they’re common in the South, they may venture north from time to time. They can be found in Hawaii, but you likely won’t have a Smokey brown cockroach infestation.

Surinam

Surinam cockroaches are three-quarters of an inch long with light-tan wings. They prefer warmer climates so you can guarantee that you’re going to find these cockroaches in Hawaii. However, they cannot survive in Northern states because it is too cold. If you find them, they’ll likely be in your greenhouse. There are no male Surinam cockroaches. They’re all female and hold egg cases until they hatch.

Brown-Banded

Brown-banded cockroaches are roughly half an inch, tan, and they are often mistaken for German cockroaches. The big difference is that they don’t have racing stripes. It is uncommon to find brown-banded cockroaches in the United States, but they may infest structures from time to time.

What Causes Cockroaches In Your House?

The cause of the infestation depends on the species you’re working with. Some species are attracted to messes, but others like being around broken sewer pipes. With that being said, you must identify the species before finding out why they’re in your home. Cockroaches can breed prolifically so you need to tackle the problem swiftly. Otherwise, it’ll worsen and spiral out of control within days.

Dangers Of Cockroaches

Are you worried that cockroaches are going to make your loved ones sick? Well, they could. With that being said, you cannot live with cockroaches. Doing so could be deadly. As the cockroach population grows, the risk is going to climb significantly higher. Cockroaches can contaminate your food and spread salmonella and other diseases. They can inflame asthma peoples too. It is best to call an exterminator to get rid of the roaches before someone gets seriously ill.

How Should I Tackle A Cockroach Infestation?

Some cockroach species target homes that are not properly cleaned. If this is the situation, you need to work diligently to keep your home clean. Do the dishes, take out the trash, vacuum your floors, and sweep. Clean your home and deal with the food crumbs. Once you’ve done that, you will eliminate the roach’s food source and force them to go elsewhere. While DIY solutions may help, they might not wipe out the cockroaches. Our company offers cost-effective cockroach removal services to help you. Our exterminators can fix the problem without exposing your loved ones to dangerous pesticides.

When Can You Get Here?

Our exterminators are ready to wipe out your cockroach problem. Once you’ve called, you can expect us to respond in 48 hours or sooner.

Is Your Cockroach Treatment Safe?

Our company provides safe cockroach extermination services. We would never use toxic substances in your home because we want to protect everyone involved. Instead, we use a combination of safe products and natural techniques. When insecticides are needed, we use EPA-registered products to reduce the risks. In addition to that, our exterminators will precisely follow our recommended protocols to guarantee you’ll be safe. If you have any questions, contact us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Stopping Cockroaches From Returning

Ultimately, stopping roaches from returning won’t be easy. However, you can take steps to make it harder for these pests to enter your home. Make sure you keep your home clean and seal the exterior walls of your home. When you find roaches on your property, call us and put a stop to it before it spirals out of control.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.