Different Types of Roaches in Ohio

More than 4500 species of roaches with fantastic adaptability features spread all over the globe that helps them survive in even extreme conditions.

However, not all the different roaches species can be found in all the states and countries worldwide.

In this article, we will discuss some of the cockroach species found commonly in Ohio.

Each of these roaches is described in detail to give you an outlook on the appearance and character of these bugs.

So let’s jump right in.

Different Types of Roaches in Ohio

Ohio is home to many kinds of pests due to its warm and humid conditions in summer and extreme cold in winter.

Cockroaches, nowadays, are more adaptable than they were in ancient times; they are the common insects found in almost all climatic conditions worldwide.

Their adaptability and tolerance nature helps them survive and sustain themselves in a world of changing nature.

Ohio is majorly home to four species of cockroaches that are considered pests, and they are found most commonly in the Northeast region of Ohio.

The four species of cockroaches found in Ohio are:

Oriental Cockroaches

The Oriental cockroaches are also known as water bugs as they are more closely enticed to the water than the land.

They are medium-sized cockroach that measures about an inch in length.

These roaches have an infuriating and offensive smell which repels the people around them.

These roaches are glossy-black or reddish-brown and are responsible for polluting your house by spreading various serious diseases.

These cockroaches are tied closely to the house’s cool, dark, and dank places and can survive the extreme winter conditions in Ohio.

However, as the winter sets in, they shift their location from the leaf litter to the basements of the houses.

American Cockroaches

The American roaches are quite larger than the other roaches as an adult roach typically weighs around two inches, whereas the American roaches can grow as big as three inches.

These cockroaches have tan-coloured outer bodies known as water bugs or Palmetto bugs.

These roaches can survive indoors and outdoors but are mostly found in shaded places like gutters or under leaf litter outdoors.

These roaches tend to enter your house through the drain pipes, conduit, and duct work carrying the most harmful bacteria in your house, eventually spreading serious diseases.

The American Roaches are sensitive to light and thus come out in the dark to look for food, especially fermented foods.

As they feed on these foods, they release the bacteria and other pathogens from their bodies on the food or space around them, contaminating the whole space.

Brown Banded Cockroaches

The Brown-banded roaches are the smallest among all other pests measuring about 10 to 14 mm long.

These roaches received their name due to transverse bands of light brown or tan on an adult cockroach’s wings and across the body of young roaches or nymphs.

These cockroaches can survive in the hot and humid climates of Ohio.

However, during the winters, they tend to enter the homes for shelter to keep them warm through the infested furniture, food, grocery, and electronics.

They feed on everything from fermented foods and trash to cardboard boxes and loose tiles with adhesives.

They can be found all over the house as they can tolerate even the drier conditions; you can spot them high up on the ceilings, wall voids, cabinets, furniture, and hanging pictures.

They can spread easily and rapidly into multiple structures in the house, even the bedroom.

Once these brown-banded roaches infest your home, it’s difficult to control them then.

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are widely spread worldwide as they can easily adapt to almost all environments.

These hitchhikers enter your houses through produce boxes, children’s backpacks, and people’s luggage bags.

They are typically fond of warm and humid climatic areas and are commonly found indoors, like bathrooms, kitchens, and hot water tanks.

These German roaches are also sensitive to light; therefore, they search for food in the dark unless food is limited or the population is quite high.

They habitually feed on almost everything and can survive even on crumbs and daily garbage.

They are small, allowing them to hide in the house’s cracks and crevices to avoid being spotted and killed.

Bugs that Look Like Cockroaches in Ohio

Many bugs in the environment are confused with roaches due to their resemblance in appearance.

Due to this confusion, people often use bug bombs to eliminate these lookalike bugs and are disappointed with the results.

However, these bug bombs are quite unreliable products to treat pest infestation in your house.

Some of the common bugs that are usually confused and mistaken for cockroaches are:

Crickets

The crickets are often identified from their chirping sounds but are usually mistaken for cockroaches due to their visual appearance.

The black to brown exoskeleton of the crickets resembles the exoskeleton of the cockroaches.

The crickets are, however, smaller and faster than the roaches, with an ability to hop around.

The crickets’ fast nature prevents us from examining the bug thoroughly and confusing it for a cockroach.

Crickets tend to stay outdoors rather than indoors.

Therefore, they are not harmful to humans, although the crickets’ chirping sound at night can be annoying and disturbing.

The crickets can be distinguished from the roaches by their long hind legs that provide them the ability to hop around.

Ground Beetles

Ground beetles are often confused with roaches due to their similarity in appearance.

They have a deep red or brownish exoskeleton closely resembling the roaches’ exoskeleton.

The wide wing also resembles the wings of the roaches.

These features of the ground beetles make it relatively difficult to differentiate them from the roaches.

The hard front wings are the only distinguishing feature of the ground beetles from the roaches.

Most cockroaches do not have wings; even if they do, the wings are quite soft and leathery, unlike those of beetles.

Water Bugs

The water bugs are large can often trick you into considering them as roaches at first sight.

These bugs have an affinity for water and are mostly near or around water sources.

The exterior of the water bugs resembles the roaches, but they also have distinctive features to help them differentiate.

The size of the water bugs is relatively larger than the roaches, and their bite is pretty painful.

The large pincers in the body’s front portion easily distinguish them from cockroaches.

Asian Long-Horned Beetles

The Asian Long-Horned beetles resemble cockroaches because of their shape and size. 

They are also known as Starry Sky beetles.

They have quite a few features that distinguish them from the roaches in many ways.

The beetle’s large shape and size differentiate it from the roaches as they cannot exceed 13 inches.

Exterminate Ohio Cockroaches with Professional Pest Control Services

Now that we’ve discussed the various Ohio roaches and similar-looking bugs let’s further talk about what you should do if you ever face a serious roach infestation.

Well, this is where a licensed exterminator comes into the picture! He will eliminate these buggers effectively and permanently for you and ensure they do not make their way back inside your home.

Final Words

It’s often said that cockroaches can easily survive nuclear wars and even apocalypse!

So it’s safe to assume that these pesky pests are not planning to leave anytime sooner.

The same goes for these bugs in the beautiful state of Ohio, where they exist in large numbers and tend to invade residential properties when no one is looking.

However, there are now many chemical alternatives and herbal methods to eliminate these bugs.

You can also call an exterminator in case of an infestation and prevent them from entering your homes or business spaces.

Ultimately, no matter your state, these hell-raisers can always find their way back to you!