Bugs That Look Like Cockroaches are in Fact, Cockroaches

October 28th, 2010 Posted in Ants & Roaches

There are roughly 4,500 species of cockroach, all with varying colors, shapes, and sizes. This is a HUGE variety of gross-looking bugs that can make their way into homes. If you spotted what seemed like a cockroach but didn’t match the mental picture you had of the insect, or what you read online, you actually just discovered a different species of cockroaches, not a different bug altogether.

So, if you’ve got some creepy looking bugs that look like cockroaches crawling around, follow these techniques for getting rid of them. In addition to the many types of cockroaches, there are also many names — they can go by water bugs and palmetto bugs as well.

Read on to learn some common characteristics of cockroaches and what to do if they’re in your home.



Cockroach Characteristics

Cockroaches are found around the world, usually in the warm, moist tropics. That might seem a long way from home at this time of year, but some cockroaches actually follow wherever humans live and work.

cockroach cartoon

Different species have some varying characteristics, making you think that bugs that look like cockroaches aren’t cockroaches at all.

However, almost all cockroaches do share the following traits:

  • 0.8-3.1 inches long

  • Flat and oval

  • 4 wings

  • Dark in color (black, brown, or reddish brown)

  • Strong chewing mouth parts that point down

  • Many-segmented bodies

  • Shield-like back

  • Long, spindly legs for running

The species that tend to deviate from the norm usually attempt to look like their bright-colored prey, and are found in tropical regions. You will probably only come in contact with dark, oval, “normal looking” cockroaches, not anything too exotic.

Habitat
In the wild, cockroaches live in caves, mines, animal burrows, bird nests, ant and termite nests, deserts, and even around water. So, if and when they venture indoors, they will seek out similar (dark and moist) conditions.



Cockroaches and People

About 20 species worldwide share the same temperature and moisture requirements as humans — these are the ones we find indoors. Human homes ensure stable temperatures and plenty of water. We find cockroaches in homes, restaurants, food stores, hospitals, sewers, and occasionally on plants.

There is a reason for the stigma associated with these bugs, a reason why we’d rather think we have bugs that look like cockroaches than cockroaches themselves. These bugs are known to carry fungi, parasitic worms, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause diseases in humans. Research is underway to determine whether they can infect humans directly, but researchers have been shown to develop asthma attacks, allergies, and skin irritations after working with them for a long time.

Densely populated areas (New York City, anyone?) are famous for having immense cockroach populations and infestations in many buildings. Announcing at a party that you just picked up some cockroach traps is akin to walking in with the plague.

Manhattan

However, in their natural tropical habitats, cockroaches are actually beneficial. They break down and recycle plant materials to be used by other animals. Humans have found creative purposes for cockroaches, too. In China, they are sold for medicinal purposes. All over the world, many large cockroaches, like the Madagascan hissing cockroach, are kept as pets! La Cucaracha!

In Australia and Thailand, cockroaches are eaten by people! Word on the street is, they taste like shrimp.



Controlling Cockroaches

If you’re not yet sold on raising one as a pet or frying it up for dinner, there are ways you can control cockroaches in your home.

If you want to get rid of cockroaches (or confusing cockroach look-alikes), follow these dos and don’ts:

DO

  1. Reduce moisture: Store washed recyclables outside, drain sinks, fix leaky pipes, and use a dehumidifier in basements.

  2. Keep things clean: Take trash out nightly, clean crumbs in stove and kitchen cabinets, and clean up excess and spilled food.

  3. Use a natural pesticide to kill cockroaches when you spot them.

TIP: Because they are averse to light, cockroaches are great at hide-and-seek. To catch them in the act of scurrying around your home, walk into a dark room and flip the light on, then watch where they run. Their destinations are prime cockroach hiding spots. Go after wherever they escaped to with a natural pesticide, like EcoSMART’s Ant and Roach killer, to destroy the entire colony.

DON’T

  1. Leave dirty dishes in the sink — you’re inviting cockroaches over for a tasty dinner in your kitchen.

  2. Assume the roaches you see are the only ones out there. As explained above, many more are hiding out under appliances and in dark corners, so don’t spray what you see and then get frustrated that they keep coming back.

  3. Use traps, sprays, or bug bombs with synthetic chemicals. Instructions claiming to eliminate and destroy roaches in the most powerful way possible may be tempting. However, you don’t want to introduce dangerous chemicals into your home; side effects may be worse than the original cockroach problem.

Cockroaches get a lot of trash talk. We’re terrified that someone will find out we have disease-carrying, fungus filled, giant scurrying bugs in out homes.

But this can be our little secret — follow the methods above to get rid of cockroaches, and no one will ever know…unless you’re too excited about using your new organic pesticides to keep it to yourself!


hannah

  1. 42 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By David Darnell on Nov 13, 2010

    I live in a mobile home in Pearland, Tx. It was vacant for a year before I moved in and had water damamge from Hurricane Ike. As the weather warmed and it entered rainy season the roaches showed up. I had heard of eugenol and began looking for it…not easy to find.(except from EcoSmart). The Home Pest Control has been effective and the applicator is the best I’ve ever used in type. I’m anxious to try the granule for the yard and under the home. I’m a Texas Certified Nursery Professional and have become very interested in the organic way to garden and control pests.

  3. By Teri R on Dec 8, 2010

    Not sure if you are still doing the product testing, but i recently moved into an apartment and i have discovered that we have roaches !! These are nasty and gross me out, i woke up to one crawling on me…. eww.. hate that feeling . I am against using a bug bomb because of all the side effects and do not want my kids exposed to all of those chemicals and from what i have read online are very ineffective. I will definitely be looking for your product and giving it a try so i can get rid of these pests.

  4. By Nathania on Jan 15, 2011

    You have no idea how much this is a problem in my grandparents’ home. Every time I visit her…we are always trying to figure out a way to keep those pesky roaches out! I love that this is an organic alternative! I am anxious to try this method out for them.

  5. By urph on Jan 18, 2011

    Looking for an alternative to consumer pesticides as the home is uphill from well water and lake/stream. Tried Diatomaceous Earth, etc.
    The DE works but leaves an incredible dust mess and takes about a year to work.
    Will gladly test EcoSMART.

  6. By Diane on Feb 10, 2011

    Any update on your these products worked with your roach problems? I’m very curious to hear how effective they are.

  7. By Katy Perdue on Mar 10, 2011

    I live in rural GA. Because of the abundant pine trees, we are over run with roaches. I am looking for a natural roach control product that is safe around my cats. I am going to start looking for this product line in stores.

  8. By Norma Molina on Mar 27, 2011

    A friend of mine had to move and gave me her refrigerator. However, it seems like there are some roaches living under it. Ever since I got the referigerator I find both large and small roaches scurring around the kitchen. I have several house dogs and don’t want them hurt by roach spray. I don’t know what to do to kill them and keep my pets safe. Is your product safe for animals? If so, I will be happy to test it or buy it. Just tell me what I have to do.
    Thank you!! I hope your product is safe and works!!

  9. By EcoSMART Kait on Apr 8, 2011

    Hi Norma,

    EcoSMART Ant & Roach Killer is safe to use around pets. The smell may bother them a bit and you shouldn’t spray your pets directly, but it will not harm them. Good luck!

  10. By johannah on May 25, 2011

    please dear god send me a sample, my husband refuses to allow chemicals–i refuse to allow bugs. HELP!

  11. By Kristin Cox on Jun 1, 2011

    I killed a bug last night that I refuse to believe is a cockroach but I won’t be taking chances! I have two small children and a very curious cat! I would love to try out your product… as this house was bombed several times and the fleas are gone… and in comes a new pest! I have only seen them in the upstairs bathroom but I refuse to let the problem escalate! Please help!

  12. By Buffy Morrissette on Jun 12, 2011

    I have been fighting ants since February. I live in Maine, and there was plenty of snow on the ground until early May. As soon as the snow was gone, I found there are more anthills on my lawn surrounding my house than I’ve ever seen in the ten years since building my house. I’ve not used sprays, but have tried traps and other solutions that gave only temporary relief at best.

    Today, when my daughter opened our dishwasher, she saw a bug that looks like a cockroach. I live in a rural area and have never seen a cockroach in any house in this region, but if your claim is right, that if it looks like a cockroach then it is a cockroach, then I saw a cockroach in my house today.

    I don’t know where to find your products, but I most definitely need to try them, both inside and outside my house, or I’m going to have to look for new living arrangements!

  13. By ashley on Jun 29, 2011

    plz help and b invated with roaches ready to cry i ve tried so many things no luck and i live clean plz help

  14. By Susan on Jul 5, 2011

    Move into a Roach infest apartment last year! Sprayed and sprayed and cleaned and cleaned they finally move into the apartment down stairs from us and they haven’t been seen for a year. now they are back and my kids don’t have school I can’t spray chemicals around them. fortunately I read this website and will be buying some today I will update on how well it works! thanks

  15. By Michael Strickland on Jul 7, 2011

    I live in the country and aside of ant problems in my yard we are over ran inside our house with roaches. We are not nasty people and keep our house clean. We had received some things from a family member and since the box had come into our home we noticed roaches. We started laying out Roach motels hoping that would help destroy them and got rid of the stuff that we received. No affect. So we started getting bait and laying it out. Didn’t see any for a month and then boom it was like they came back with a vengeance. We paid terminx to come out didn’t want to but was getting desperate. But still no effect and now we are afraid to invite anyone overcrowded our house because of it. What can I do cause I have four kids and do not like using poisons in the house and three are asthmatics. Help!

  16. By Jenn on Jul 8, 2011

    I just used your pest control indoor/outdoor spray in my hall closet and under the sink. The smell was much stronger than expected and I felt the need to open the windows. A roach was dead in the living room floor the next morning so I am assuming your product works well. My concern is that my four month old has a rash all over his stomach and head. He does not crawl and was only exposed by the air. I am concerned that some of your ingredients may be fine for humans but not for infants.

  17. By Kristi Wilkerson on Jul 10, 2011

    Please send samples
    Thank you!!

  18. By Nicole on Jul 12, 2011

    Looking forword to trying this product. This is my first encounter with cockroaches and I am a little freaked out. I dont know how they got in, but it is time for them to leave!!!!!

  19. By Samm on Jul 14, 2011

    Roaches, roaches, everywhere!! Now they’re invading the powder room and livingroom. Our neighbor started doing renovations last year in expectation of the return of his wife. He and his son had been living there alone.. at any rate the snakes and lizards came when he built a new deck, then he did the powder room and finally one day I saw the water heater come out. Shortly after that I saw the first small roach, got some C__b_t Gold and put it on that side of the house. I’ve tried everything including sugar and baking soda. More come everyday. I have asthma and I’m coughing like crazy. Hubby wants to bomb, but I’m afraid of that stuff and when he sprays I really can’t breath. I’d like to try your product if you’re still looking for testers.

    Thanks so much

  20. By Griselda on Jul 14, 2011

    I HATE roaches!!!
    In February I moved to my first apartment in a new city after accepting my first job. The place was infested with roaches, and in the five months I’ve lived there I’ve had to move everything out of my kitchen cabinets, counter-tops, my closets (linen, coat, and bedroom), my bathroom cabinets, … EVERYTHING to the center of the room so that professionals can spray. FIVE times in FIVE months, and the roaches keep coming back!!! I’m tired of moving…. I’m tired of finding them crawling on my things… please help me! I would love to test your anti-roach product (or products), but also please tell me where to buy them because I don’t think once will be enough and, if I find them effecting (when nothing else has been effective) then I want to buy more!!

  21. By Mark on Jul 21, 2011

    I used your Home Pest Control for about a mounth and found it very ineffective. I began to see insects in my home where I never had then before. I liked the idea of using an organic insecticide but it didnt work.I keep a very clean home but living in Florida there are alway insects to deal with and your product was not effective.

  22. By jana on Jul 22, 2011

    We recently purchased an older home and within a few months we had a huge problem with roaches and giant water bugs (or so i thought). I have sprayed so much that the roaches cost more than the mortgage. I have a year old grandson living with me that has been hospitalized twice with pneumonia probably related to the pesticides. Never sprayed while he was home and always aired out the place before re-entering. I need something toxic for the roaches and very safe for my little guy!

  23. By Brenda Karalnick on Jul 27, 2011

    Please send me a sample. Thank you

  24. By Ray on Jul 28, 2011

    Recently I was watching Billy the exterminator, and episode where they had a roach problem, much like mine. I have little dogs, and I’ve had to put them out all day, when I tried the bombs (bengal & raid) which niether worked, not to mention how it gagged me, while setting them off. Anyhow billy’s website refurred me to your product, I searched local dealers and after 70 miles from store to store, I finally found the 14oz aerosal, bought a can and tried it today in the heavy spots, then vacummed them up, wiped down the area of the crap. that was 4 hours ago and I havent seen a roach yet, I know I have some more show up, but as good as your product worked, I’m convinced, though the bengay smell is strong, who cares when you have a safe product like you do. I only wish I could get the big 40+ oz spray jug, you see I buy storage units and i do from time to time carry stuff in the house, I know I’m carrying some in now and then, so the big spray jug would be great for me. If you can tell me where in the 70444 area I can find it, so I dont have to drive all over the place, I greatly appreciate it. THANKS again for a spectacular product that works and is friendly for myself and my pets. Ray

  25. By Barry Richards on Jul 29, 2011

    I live in Charlotte, NC. In the past, I have seen maybe one or two palmetto bugs per week scurrying across my living room floor while I am watching TV at night.

    I usually was able to catch them and throw them back outside, into their natural habitat.

    lately, however, I have been seeing one or two per day…and now they are in the upstairs level of my home.

    I fear my homes inner walls have now become infested…to a degree.

    Before I start seeing five or six per day, I would like to try your product, because my wife is allergic to chemicals. Can you help me?

  26. By Emily on Jul 31, 2011

    We have the common household german coackroach! We have never had coackroaches befreo and I’m trying to find out how to get rid of them! We don’t have anywhere around here that provides kid and pet friendly insectisides! I have children and don’t know how to get a produce that’s friendly for them to be around!!!

  27. By Sue Heaton on Aug 2, 2011

    Hello!
    I also live in a mobile home and when the home next door to us was torn down they decided to move in to my house, They are sooooo discusting to see them scurry across the kitchen floor in the middle of the night when the light gets turned on, We also see them during the day.
    I have tried lots of different sprays & foggers and they always seem to come back
    I was wondering if you give out samples.
    we’re willing to try another product to get rid of these discusting critters.
    Thanks

  28. By beth on Aug 9, 2011

    We are surrounded by crop fields and we are having a roach problem. We have tried everything and nothing will get rid of them. Please help!!!!!!!!

  29. By Betty Cheatham on Aug 11, 2011

    I DESPATATELY need something that works! I have four children so do not wish to have all of the harsh chemicals in my home. however, I make cakes and pastrys out of my home so I cannot allow the bugs either! now that we have moved to the country I am definately seeing the little buggers scurrying around. I would love to know what others think of this product =)
    thanks so much, Betty

  30. By gabriel nixon on Aug 12, 2011

    i found water bugs in school cafateria, what to do?!

  31. By Marla on Aug 13, 2011

    i live in N.C.,we bought a house several years ago its previous owners were hard to get rid of but we thought we got them all,wrong.
    we have been in an ongoing war with roaches for 7 years.now i have 7 seven children age ranging from 2 to 19.
    we used a chemical spray 3-4 weeks ago, ortho home defense 64 oz jug, we now have more than triple the amount of roaches we started with!.they are in the fridge,beds, bathroom, and washing machine!!
    can i use your ant and roach spray in the fridge?
    i am spraying the beds with it,and the bathroom and back porch,but its the fridge i worry about,i am keeping everything in air tight containers,except the eggs cause i dont have anything to keep them in but i will clean out the fridge before i spray.i dont care about being a tester, i wrote to basically ask a question about the spray and i fridge ; unless youre making a bug bomb,then that is great i will test it,. anyway, let me know about the safety of using this in the fridge.please, and thanks for making your product. i am desperate,i will try anything to kill these roaches.

  32. By Misty on Aug 13, 2011

    I would love to try this stuff. I work in an Herbal Remedy store and am all for natural products. I have a very bad roach (at least 4 different kinds that I know of) infestation along with ants, silverfish, ticks, fleas, mice, and who knows what else. My family all have allergies and I would rather use natural stuff if it will work. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!!

  33. By Charles Serrano on Aug 14, 2011

    All I have to say is AMAZING. I went out and bought a can of the Ant & Roach spray after wasting who knows how much money on foggers, bait traps, sprays etc.

    One can and I was killing roaches with ease and it smells good too, almost like Pepto Bismol. My wife is happy as can be because we have a 5yr old, dogs and birds. Now we don’t have to worry about the pets and still kill those roaches.

    Thank you for an AWESOME and safe product.

  34. By Julie on Aug 16, 2011

    we just moved into our first home and started noticing a roach here and there and it completely grosses me out. We need to take care of this issue ASAP but we have young children, dogs, and cats and would like to use something safe to treat them. I hope your product will do just that :)

  35. By Eva Paiz on Aug 27, 2011

    Ok I live in a travel trailer and since our runs outside through a waterhose I feel like we said hello come on in to our visitors mr roach they love to take showers with us get in bed with us heck even seat down for supper and to tell u the truth their welcome is more then over with please help me I am about to have a baby and I need them gone before my bundle of joy gets home please help me

  36. By Sean Genoff on Sep 11, 2011

    Hello, I live (grew up) in southwest Florida, where many bugs are common. Recently, it seems they have had a population explosion! I have cats and love birds and am very concerned about the environment. May sound crazy, but I also don’t like to harm anything,even ants. However, I really want to keep them out of my home. I am embarrassed to say that there are several palmetto bugs and roaches that congregate on front of outside of house (looks like a horror film). I am concerned that the lizards that hang out there in daytime will be harmed if the bugs are killed w/ topical sprays or anything ingested. My indoor cats are being bitten by fleas, although I can rarely find any on them. I have used almost everything natural. I have not been to diligent, as I think most methods are cruel (D.E. and glue traps would be an awful death!). I wish I could make my house unappealing and keep them from coming. I will kill the roaches if I have to, I usually relocate all bugs to outside unless poisonous (widow and br. recluse spiders). Fortunately, no fire-ants or bed bugs. Plug- in (ultrasound?) aren’t working either. Even bought the heavy duty version. Spent alot on cedar oil, can’t use around birds and cats hate the smell… Please, tell me your products are safe and effective! Thank you, best wishes, Sean Genoff

  37. By Jamie on Sep 12, 2011

    I would love to test out your organic insecticide! Please send me a tester!

  38. By Cass on Sep 13, 2011

    I am a vet tech and just moved into a house i love w a cockroach problem i hate. I bought the conventional traps and put them up high in cabinets but it still worries me. What if our cats or dogs get ahold of a poisoned roach?! Furthermore, ive seen more roaches since laying the bait traps. Creeps me out soo bad. Yuck!!! Id love to test this product!

  39. By Ashleigh on Sep 15, 2011

    I just went over to see my new apartment I am moving into in three days and I kept seeing these roach-like black bugs everywhere. I went to the office immediately and told them I saw roaches and the manager assured me that they aren’t roaches, the are water bugs. She told me they will have pest control come and spray and will put new weather stripping under the front and patio doors but I am still worried. I am concerned that if they don’t think they are roaches and spray for something else I will still have the bug problem. I have the lease in hand but I haven’t signed it yet. What should I do?

  40. By nakturnal on Sep 28, 2011

    http://www.ecosmart.com/shop/store-locator

  41. By Goat on Sep 30, 2011

    I have a roach problem in my apartment. Hate the little buggers. Wouldnt mind testing your product. thanks

  42. By victor caligiuri on Oct 10, 2011

    Sorry to admit that i have not heard of your product. I read the reviews. Discounting the errors in spelling I found them to be informative and noteworthy. I will surely sample (free I hope) your product win or not chosen.

  43. By Susan on Oct 26, 2011

    I started using this product in July 2011. Let me just say I love it and thank you so much for making this product. It works great I haven’t seen a roach since or it’s little presents. I love the smell it doesn’t give me a headache which I thought it would because I have allergies and so does my kids. I spray it in there bed room and it has not made them sick. I have even baby sat a bird and it was not affected it at all. I sprayed a week before he came. the only problem is that I can only find it at home depot. but it is still a great product. I had just bought my second bottle. The first one lasted me 3 months. Which I only had to buy because we started having a ant problem. Just spray so I am hoping that it does as well as it did for my roach problem. Thank you so much Eco Smart for making a great product!

42 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)