What Does a Cockroach Look Like?

Ever Wonder What Does a Cockroach Look Like?

The answer to what does a cockroach look like is not as simple as it seems. Cockroaches are arguably cute and gross at the same time. Cockroaches’ possible cuteness comes from those who believe they could be fun to play with, like playing with a ladybug or a water beetle. Once you are aware of the utter disgusting germs they bring to the table, cockroaches are seen to be on a whole new level of gross. It doesn’t help to know that cockroaches have been around for basically forever. Literally, for millions of years, they have existed and are still thriving. Cockroaches are the unbreakable army that keeps on regenerating no matter what this world throws at them. With 4,600 types of species, it’s no wonder they take over the world.

The description can be broken down into key features to identify what you are dealing with. Even though there are so many types of cockroaches, they all have certain characteristics. From the shape of their body, their antennas, heads, and babies, cockroaches have a distinct look. Let’s look at these details a little more closely, as well as some of the most notorious cockroaches in New Jersey.

How to Recognize a Cockroach

Considering there are 4,600 cockroach species, there are only about 30 types of this species that mingle into where humans are. New Jersey is home to about 5 types of cockroaches that are popular in the area. Don’t be fooled by the decreasing number of types because, within those 5 popular types for New Jersey, there are millions and millions of each roaming around. How a cockroach looks can vary, but all cockroaches’ bodies have three main parts:

Cockroach Head

The smallest body part with a lot of functions. Cockroaches have compound eyes on their black head, with a pair being on top of the head. All these eyes instantly make the cockroach aware of movement and threats and help it to see food. The antenna is a high-functioning sensory part. Cockroach antennae are close to the length of their body and very thin. The antenna allows the cockroaches to touch, smell, taste, and communicate with other cockroaches. The ultimate navigation system. The mouth is very strong and it’s made for chewing anything it comes across. A curveball to all these sensory parts at the head is a cockroach can live without its head for up to a week! It’s no longer the headless horseman but the headless cockroach!

Cockroach Thorax

Speed and precision lie in the thorax of a cockroach. This houses the six long, legs and muscles needed to run fast and to climb. Wings are also on the thorax but not all cockroaches can fly with them. How a cockroach breathes is also housed in the thorax. Imagine the gills of a fish to picture how a cockroach gets air. The sides of the thorax are lined up and down with splits to allow for the respiratory system to function and play a big part in how a cockroach can live without its head. The thorax, or body, of a cockroach looks flat and can range in versions of brown and black colors.

Cockroach Abdomen

Vital for survival. A cockroach’s abdomen is at the bottom of the body. It is the narrow end of the what the cockroach looks like. This is where waste is removed and reproduction organs work to reproduce the cockroach life cycle. In females, this is where eggs will be formed and laid or carried around. The respiratory system expands to this area as well.

Cockroach Eggs

Eggs are unique to cockroaches. A female can bring about 30-40 eggs in one cycle. Once the eggs are formed a hard casing is created by the female to enclose the eggs. This is one of the main reasons cockroaches can live through just about anything: they are highly protected until hatching. If you have a cockroach problem in your house, you will be able to spot these casings. Cockroach casings look like little brown beans. You can see it when it’s still attached to the female because some types carry it around until it’s closer for the eggs to hatch. Others will leave it in areas where they think it will be safe.

Looks of New Jersey Cockroaches

New Jersey is no stranger to cockroaches and what cockroaches look like. In fact, there are 5 different cockroaches that are popular here. All of these cockroaches look like they are the same, but to get a closer look, they vary in color, size, and purpose.

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

If there is a plus side to cockroaches, it will be this one. The Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach lives up to its name by loving all things wood. It looks dark brown with a glossy-looking body. You will most likely see one hanging out on the side of a tree or in a woodpile. They love cooler weather and love being outside. They are not social with other cockroaches; they don’t like them, and they don’t like being in your house. If you spot one in your house it is because it was toted in on some firewood or other means. It will not live long inside because the primary food source isn’t found indoors, and they also aren’t a threat to carry diseases. This is what a cockroach looks like when it comes to Pennsylvania Wood Cockroaches.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

A Brown-banded cockroach looks like a smaller version of the other cockroaches with stripes. It has a black head and the typical brown color on the abdomen, but in the middle, it has a thick set of lighter color brown stripes. It almost looks like it’s in two pieces. Brown-banded cockroaches are the smallest of the 5 types you will find in New Jersey. Good luck seeing one because these little pests avoid light at all costs, and since they are small, they can fit anywhere and everywhere. They also have a craving for anything and everything, so if they see it, they are eating it. This makes it hard to live with because with that diet they rapidly spread all kinds of viruses. Any signs of cockroaches that look like this and you will need to get rid of them fast.

Oriental Cockroach

Dirtiest cockroach in New Jersey. An Oriental cockroach looks like a black beetle with a hint of red or brown. Instead of being more oval like the rest, they look more rounded. These guys love to hang out around moisture and a good sewer. They love feeding on decaying things and give off a not-so-pleasant smell. If you have an infestation of oriental cockroaches, you will smell it and will most likely get sick. Anything this type of cockroach touches spreads nasty bacteria. Even if it grazes your countertops, cabinets, or pantry, you can pick up Salmonella or E. coli. Get oriental cockroaches out of your living space ASAP.

American Cockroach

An American cockroach looks like it has leather covering its body. It has that leather sheen and is brown in color. In New Jersey, this type of cockroach is bigger and faster than the others. American cockroaches are the typical type you hear about infesting a restaurant on the news. They love moisture, and the humidity in the kitchen is golden for them. This type of cockroach is also a lover of eating whatever it comes across, putting people at high risk of the diseases it carries and transfers. Oftentimes, when you think about what does a cockroach look like—you are thinking of this fella.

German Cockroach

German cockroaches are not a fan of light, so they roam around at night looking for food. They are scavengers that love decaying plants and meat, but if that’s not enough, they will eat starchy things all the way to glue. German cockroaches look like American cockroaches but are more of a tan color. They are fast as well but hate cold weather.

Cockroach Infestations and Solutions

What does a cockroach look like? It looks like a pest you want out of your house immediately. Spotting an insect that looks like it is flat, oval-shaped, brown to black, and with crazy long antennas is subject to falling under a cockroach. Other than the Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach, which doesn’t spread any disease, all the others are bad news. Signs of the American, German, Oriental, or Brown-banded Cockroach means nasty business because they multiply rapidly. These pests are hard to get rid of on your own because they hate the light and love the dark, and, well, we are all normally asleep when it’s dark.

Kapture Pest Control is your go-to source to stop cockroaches from invading and making you sick. Kapture knows exactly what a cockroach looks like, and we also know how to treat them so they will not come back. Call us at the first sign, and we will be there with everything needed to exterminate quickly.

More comparison articles:

Help! I Have Roaches and I’m Moving.
How Are There So Many Flies in Your House?
Do Cockroaches Lay Eggs?
Protecting Your Garden from Fall Pests in New Jersey
Why Are There So Many Gnats Outside?

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