Types Of Roaches In Texas (+What To Know)

Today, we will look closely at various types of roaches in Texas.

 And if you live anywhere in Texas, especially in Dallas —one of the worst roach-infested cities in America —you will find this article extremely helpful.

This is because, with 4,500 species, tracking the varied types of roaches is difficult. But if you can ID the type of cockroach in your house, you have an edge in the extermination process. 

The most common home-invading roaches counters you will experience in Texas are with these six roaches: German Cockroaches, American Cockroaches, Brown-Banded Cockroaches, Oriental Cockroaches, Asian cockroaches, and the Smokybrown Cockroach.

Below, we will show you what the roaches look like, how they behave, their lifespan, —and all the necessary information you need to eliminate them. 

So without wasting much of your time, let’s quickly jump into it. 

6 Different Types Of Roaches In Texas All Texans Should Know

1. German Cockroaches

First is the German cockroaches. This is one of the most common cockroaches in Texas homes. They prefer Sewage areas in your kitchen and bathrooms for their gatherings or parties.

They are pale brown, about 13 to 16 mm long, with two dark-brown stripes at the back of their head. Although German cockroaches can fly, they do so only briefly.

And among other species, they produce the most eggs and can live up to 12 months. 

Female German roaches can lay up to 48 eggs. 

They carry this number of eggs in the ootheca (egg case), which hatches after about one month. 

The fun fact is they can ONLY bear between four to eight capsules during their lifetime. Hence, a single female of this species will produce a120 to 384 youngs –give or take. 

The babies (Nymphs) turn into adult german roaches from six weeks to six months. 

2. American Cockroaches

Second, on the list of Texa’s various types of roaches is the American cockroach —considered the king of roaches and mostly found in homes. 

I bet you’ve come across this one before. 

Yeah, me too. And it is very annoying, considering it has wings and can fly more than the German species. 

Although, you are more likely to see them outdoors, especially in trees. But that doesn’t mean they won’t sneak into your home when given a reason to. 

And whenever they are onboard, they prefer their privacy —dark, humid, and undisturbed places like roof voids, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and even kitchens.

Their usual hiding spot is where your foods are stored.

You know them through their reddish-brown to brown color, with somewhat light yellow bands at the back of their head.

They live more than German cockroaches, spanning up to two years. 

The good news is: the female produces fewer eggs —an average of 16 eggs per ootheca.

The eggs hatch after one to two months but turn into elite soldiers in six to twelve months –sometimes might take up to 15 months to reach full maturity. 

3. Brown-Banded Cockroaches

These roaches are quickly confusing from the two we’ve discussed. 

They grow up to 13mm, almost like the German, but can fly like the American roaches.

However, they live about three to 11 months and can jump when provoked. Only males can fly and barely do so in warm climates. They spend most of their time crawling. 

You can also tell them apart from the two light yellow bands that travel across their body and how their wings lighten when extended to the tip.

And unlike the types of roaches in Texas we have discussed, the Brown-Banded Cockroaches avoid moist places. 

Instead, they love chilling in warm environments such as appliance motors, ceilings, or attics of heated buildings.

But like other roaches, they are active mostly at night and relish foods with high starch content.

Among other things, the females produce slightly similar egg numbers to the American Cockroaches –14 to 18 eggs, but only 12 or fewer will hatch successfully. 

And after hatching into nymphs after 1 to 3 months, the nymphs take about 13 to 45 weeks to become full adults.

4. Oriental Cockroaches

Fourth is the weirdest of all —oriental cockroaches. 

They look distinctive from the other species as they have glossy, dark-brown, or black bodies. 

These inserts are also gigantic. The males grow up to 25 mm, whereas the females are 32 mm long. 

And like the Brown-Banded and the American roaches, they can also fly. 

Fortunately, they can only live up to six months and prey primarily on decaying organic matter. So if you eliminate that, the oriental cockroaches are unlikely to find your home conducive. 

And you barely see this species indoors. You are most likely to see them in leaf litter and rubbish heaps, as they prefer to stay out of sight and fest on decayed organic matter or garbage. 

However, if they get into your home, they thrive the most in the dark, cool sewer places like drains, bathtubs, sinks, laundry appliances, and basements. 

They aren’t gifted with the ability to fly, but they are good at running. And you notice they’re presented with a musty smell in your house. 

The mothers can lay up to 16 eggs, hatch after two months, and the nymphs grow to adulthood anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

5. Asian cockroach

Asian cockroaches are immigrants to Texas.

According to research, the first U.S. Asian cockroach was discovered in Lakeland, Florida, in 1986 from imported goods from Japan.

They are like German roaches but slightly bigger with a white border on their abdomen.

They, too, can fly but spend their lives outdoors in shaded areas. The Asian roach sanctuary is in mulch and grass. They feast on compost piles and organic material. 

But barely see them invade homes. But since they’re scavengers attracted to lights, they could extend their boundaries to fly through any opening and land on the nearest light inside. 

If there are any species of roaches you should hate, it should be this one. 

This is because they are a pain in the ass to control, as they are keen on hiding and reproducing quickly.  

Female Asian cockroaches can produce up to 600 eggs in their lifetime. 

Also, they are seasonal. 

They plague vast populations of homes during spring and late summer. But the nymph numbers are at their peak in the summer months. 

6. Smokybrown Cockroach

Last on the list of types of roaches in Texas is the smoky brown cockroach. 

This specie of roach is usually 32–35 millimeters, shiny dark brown, aggressive, and strong fliers. 

The Smoky brown cockroach is predominant in the southern United States, especially in and around outdoors wooded areas.  But they are becoming popular in Texas.

Smoky brown roaches cherish highly humid environments protected from the elements because they are prone to drying out easily.

You are most likely to find them under mulch and tree holes. 

This is a special ‘type of roach in central texas’ that feasts on decaying matter but isn’t picky to any food source within their gasp, as they can eat dead insects, meats, fecal matter, and more. 

These roaches only bite if they are desperate for food. But don’t mistake this for weakness.

Smoky brown could lose it, extend its wings beyond the abdomen, and fly aggressively when provoked.

The life cycle for these opportunistic feeders is about 320 days from egg to adult.

The eggs laid in the ootheca incubate for an average of 45 days, with 20 nymphs hatching per ootheca.

And if you see them in your home, it is usually in the basements. 

Types Of Roaches In Texas Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Types Of Roaches In North Texas? 

They are many types of roaches in north texas, but the American cockroaches are the most famous, even in Denton and Lewisville. 

This is because this part of the state has warmer temperatures most of the year. It becomes the ideal breeding ground for them. 

What Are Cockroaches Common In Texas?

Cockroaches are a common nuisance to Texans. However, the most often seen are the German and American Cockroaches. 

They are scavenging pests with no boundaries. And since they are a penchant for warm, damp places, so could go anywhere in search of that sanctuary.

What Is the Largest Cockroach In Texas? 

The largest cockroach in Texas is the American cockroach.

The average adult American roach is between 1.4” to 1.6” (35-41mm) in length. However, they can exceed 2”. 

They are more gigantic than the Oriental Cockroaches’ size and can annoyingly live up to two years!

What Are The Types Of Flying Roaches In Texas?

Not all roaches can fly. And amongst the ones listed above, only the American roaches, Asian and brown-banded cockroaches are aggressive fliers that can go nuts in attics and ceilings. 

Conclusion

So that’s it for all types of roaches in Texas. 

And while they may seem harmless to the unsuspecting eye, nobody likes roaches in their house –irrespective of whether you are in Texas, Florida, or Hawaii. 

This is because these pesky hell-raisers can make their way into any home without invitation.

But know what type of roaches are in Texas, their inhabitant, food source; how do you plan on preventing this nuisance from your home? I charge you to write our article on “How To Prevent Roaches.”