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Learn From The Pros
The American cockroach is one of the most common flying cockroaches found here in New Jersey. But there are others like the Asian cockroach and smokybrown cockroach who also fly.
There are some at-home remedies you can do to try and get rid of flying cockroaches like keeping areas clean and sealing entry points. But if you see them inside your home, you most likely already have a problem that requires a Kapture Pest Control expert. Roaches multiply rapidly and by the time you see them, their entire family has moved in. If you suspect this has happened to you, give us a call. We’ll give you an honest and thorough assessment so that you can quickly get rid of flying cockroaches and their cousins, too.
Get Rid of Flying Cockroaches
Not all insects are created equal, as some will send shivers down your spine at the very sight of them. Flying cockroaches are one of those pests that hold a top spot for invoking fear. As if dealing with traditional roaches isn’t bad enough, having ones that can fly through your door is an even bigger threat.
Ironically, flying cockroaches are often mistaken for other insects that are similar in appearance and size. If you think you might have cockroaches in your home, there are several strategies that can help you get rid of them.
Types of Flying Roaches
The scientific name of flying cockroaches is the Periplaneta species, a cockroach subgroup. They are classified separately because not all roaches can fly. Even though there are many roaches with some version of wings, three species have wings that can fly: the American, Smoky brown, and Asian cockroaches.
Asian Cockroach
The Asian cockroach is often mistaken for a German variety. Unlike other roaches, Asian roaches are cockroaches that fly great distances—up to 120 feet.
Part of their wing speed likely comes from their smaller size. The average Asian roach measures around ½ inch in length. They are a pale tan color, but their two distinct dark stripes running down their body make them easy to identify. These flying cockroaches aren’t common in New Jersey, as they favor warmer southern states like the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.
They were first documented in Japan but migrated to the US through cargo traveling between the two countries. Asian cockroaches prefer to be outside and once they find a location to nest, some reports document more than 250,000 of the Asian flying cockroaches per acre of land!
They are most active at dusk so any bright lights you have outside will attract them. You’ll likely see these pests swirling around illuminated things outside your home with the moths and beetles. One positive thing about the Asian roach is they’re not known to carry bacteria and disease like other varieties.
If you’re having trouble determining if you have Asian or German roaches, you can typically tell by their behavior. The German cockroach isn’t attracted to light and will hurry away when humans are present. Asian roaches don’t usually care who is around if there’s light.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is one of the most common species of flying cockroaches in New Jersey. They are easy to detect by their reddish-brown color and massive size. When full-grown, they can grow to an astounding 1.5 to 3 inches in length.
Once they reach adulthood, the American cockroach has fully developed wings that allow it to fly short distances—about 18 times their body size. Despite its name, it’s not native to America but likely originated in Africa even though they’ve migrated to the area effortlessly. The distinction between this and other flying cockroaches is the yellow band around its head, their massive size, and that unique yellow color.
While they can fly, they prefer to crawl around your home. These pests multiply quickly, as the female doesn’t need a male to reproduce. She can save sperm to use at a later date and lay 21 egg sacks that each hold around 16 eggs during her 18 month lifetime.
The American roach is one of the dirtiest flying cockroaches since they make a habit of crawling through fecal matter and other bacteria. These germs attach themselves to the body, and when they enter your home, they redistribute the germs. They will eat anything if they’re hungry, so they crawl all over your kitchen, looking for grease and other food debris.
Smokybrown Cockroach
The smokybrown roach is more prominent, but it’s just slightly smaller than the American variety. It is about 1 to 1.25 inches in length when it reaches maturity. These flying cockroaches prefer humid environments and thrive in higher temperatures.
The smokybrown roach is another variety with origins in Japan, but they’ve also migrated to the southern states. These flying cockroaches are typically found near the Gulf Coastal states and those that border the Mississippi River.
Confusion with Other Insects
Flying cockroaches are often mistaken for other bugs because most people don’t think about a roach having the ability to fly. Some of the insects most confused for flying cockroaches are common household invaders.
Palmetto Bug
The “palmetto bug” is a slang term used for the American cockroach and they were given this nickname because these flying cockroaches are often found hiding around palmetto bushes and trees in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Water Bug
Anytime you live near a water supply such as a lake, river, ocean, or other waterways, you’ll likely see abundant water bugs. These larger-than-life black bugs can fly, often confusing people into thinking they’re the same as flying cockroaches. Technically, water bugs are in a whole different insect grouping that does not include flying cockroaches.
