Not all roaches are the same, and knowing which one you’re dealing with changes how you get rid of it. In northeast Louisiana, the two you are most likely to see are the American cockroach and the German cockroach.
American cockroaches (“palmetto bugs”)
- Size: large, about 1.5 inches or more.
- Color: reddish-brown with a yellowish band behind the head.
- Where they live: outdoors in mulch, sewers, drains, crawl spaces and tree holes.
- When you see them: after heavy rain, in garages, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
American roaches usually come in from outside. Seeing one occasionally doesn’t mean an infestation, but seeing them often means they are breeding nearby.
German cockroaches
- Size: small, about half an inch.
- Color: light brown with two dark stripes behind the head.
- Where they live: indoors, especially kitchens and bathrooms, near warmth and water.
- How they spread: in grocery bags, boxes, used appliances and through shared walls in apartments.
German roaches breed extremely fast. One egg case can hold dozens of eggs, so a few roaches can become hundreds within weeks.
Treating American roaches
The focus is outside: perimeter treatments, treating mulch beds and drains, sealing gaps around doors and pipes, and reducing moisture in crawl spaces.
Treating German roaches
The focus is inside: gel baits in cracks and hinges, insect growth regulators to stop breeding, and strict sanitation. Sprays and foggers often make German roaches scatter and are rarely effective on their own.
Prevention tips
- Fix leaks under sinks and around appliances.
- Store food in sealed containers and wipe crumbs daily.
- Take out trash every night.
- Check boxes and used appliances before bringing them in.
- Seal gaps around plumbing and under doors.
Our roach control service identifies the species and treats it the right way, with follow-up visits until they’re gone. Want ongoing protection? Our quarterly pest control plans keep roaches outside.
Seeing roaches? Book our Monroe exterminator and we’ll find out where they’re coming from.