Cockroaches are considered one of the Earth’s most successful species. These insect scavengers have roamed the planet for more than 300 million years, well before the dinosaurs, and share ancient ancestry with termites and praying mantises. Today, there are more than 4,000 cockroach species. Happily, only three roach species are common household pests in Monmouth County, NJ.
• The German cockroach is the most common cockroach species in New Jersey. Brown with two telltale stripes on the back of its head, German roaches are about 1/2 inch long and prefer warm, humid environments. Unlike other home-invading cockroaches that also live outdoors or in sewers, German cockroaches live almost exclusively with humans. Typically seen in kitchens and bathrooms, these small roaches are extremely prolific, allowing infestations to expand quickly.
• Oriental cockroaches prefer dark, damp environments. Sometimes called water bugs, these roaches usually inhabit basements and crawl spaces. Oriental cockroaches are also sewer dwellers and may climb up floor drains to enter Ocean County, NJ homes. Shiny, black and one inch long, Oriental roaches also live outdoors in leaf litter and wood piles.
• The largest and most aggressive cockroach in Monmouth County, NJ, the American cockroach can grow to a length of 2 inches. Unlike other roach species which are typically nocturnal, American roaches are not afraid to forage in daylight. These cockroaches thrive in warm, humid environments and are usually seen in basements. They also live in sewers and are a considerable restaurant, grocery and food processing pest.
Cockroaches spread disease-causing bacteria, including Salmonella and dysentery, parasitic worms and other pathogens harmful to humans. If roaches invade your home or business, don’t delay; call the professional cockroach exterminators NJ at Allison Pest Control today.