Important Cockroach Information for Florida Residents

Mild temperatures, access to plentiful water, and abundant sunshine have made Florida a favored home base for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, the same conditions that make Florida so welcoming to people have also made it very welcoming to a wide variety of pests, including several species of cockroaches.

Whether you currently live in the Sunshine State or are considering relocating here in the future, this information about cockroaches will educate you and help you protect your home from these persistent pests.

The Florida Woods Cockroach

The State of Florida has the dubious honor of sharing its name with a cockroach. The Florida woods cockroach is particularly annoying because it possesses the ability to spray an odorous bodily fluid when alarmed that is best described as being extremely unpleasant and foul-smelling.

Also known as a palmetto bug, the Florida woods cockroach also has several other names, including the Florida skunk roach and the stinking cockroach. While usually found outdoors, the Florida woods cockroach may also be found inside the home, where the appeal of damp conditions can make it partial to the bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.

The American Cockroach

The American cockroach is another species of roach commonly found throughout Florida. Persistent in its ability to infiltrate both residential and commercial buildings, this type of roach is best known for its ability to infest commercial structures, especially those where food is stored, prepared, or packaged.

American cockroaches are not as commonly found in single-family homes, but homeowners may experience a sudden influx of these pests after periods of heavy rain or flooding. They don’t have the stink of Florida woods cockroaches, but they are still a pest.

The German Cockroach

While all cockroaches can contaminate surfaces and create unsanitary conditions, the German cockroach is the most worrisome of all species for Florida residents. Often confused with the Asian cockroach, the German cockroach is found in nearly every place on earth where human populations exist.

Susceptible to cold temperatures, the German cockroach is able to survive in severe climates by infesting both residential and commercial structures. In addition to providing them with favorably moderate temperatures, coexistence with humans makes it possible for these roaches to have access to food and water, as well as sheltered areas for growing their populations.

Make Your Home Less Hospitable

All species of cockroaches are able to adapt and even thrive with marginal food supplies. In fact, substances like cooking grease, bookbinding glue, and pet food can provide adequate nutritional support for these pests.

Cockroaches must also have an adequate source of moisture to survive. This need often results in their gravitation to areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Households who have a goal of eliminating or reducing an infestation of any type of cockroach will want to eliminate as many sources of nourishment and hydration as possible. Some suggestions for this include:

• Wrapping plumbing pipes to eliminate condensation
  
• Repairing dripping or leaking faucets
  
• Cleaning counters, cooking equipment, and food preparation areas after each meal
  
• Removing pet food and water dishes during the night when roaches are most active