Cockroaches are gross creatures that cause severe infestations. Once you have them in your home, roaches become challenging to eliminate. Living in Missouri means that you will come across one at some point. So, which cockroaches in Missouri should you look out for?
There are five common roaches in Missouri you should look out for:
- German roaches
- Oriental roaches
- American roaches
- Pennsylvania wood roaches
- Brown-banded cockroaches
This article discusses the types of cockroaches that are in Missouri as well as if they are dangerous or not. We will also discuss what predators of roaches are in Missouri and how to eliminate the cockroaches from your home. We highly encourage you to continue reading for more!
What Cockroaches Live in Missouri?
Many cockroaches live in Missouri, including German, oriental, American, and brown-banded roaches. Let us briefly discuss what they look like below.
1. German Cockroaches
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are common household pests in Missouri. They measure roughly 3/4 inch long and look tan or light brown. They contain two parallel dark strips on their backs behind their wings. Although they have wings, the German cockroach glides downward from a higher-up place.
German cockroaches prefer dark, warm areas and can survive indoors by living where food is. These areas are mostly inside kitchens, as these roaches can survive off a tiny piece of crumb on the floor.
Read More: How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches Overnight
2. Oriental Cockroaches
The oriental cockroach (Batta orientalis) is shiny black to dark reddish-brown. The male oriental roaches grow up to almost 1 inch long and contain wings, while the female insect extends 1 ¼ inches and does not have wings. However, female oriental cockroaches have large wing pads that shelter much of their body. Still, neither of these roaches can fly.
Oriental cockroaches are often called water bugs because they prefer living near sewers and other humid areas where there is water, like damp basements or bathrooms. These roaches feed on organic or decaying matter and food crumbs. In that case, eliminating them from your home might be challenging.
Read More: How To Eliminate And Kill Oriental Roaches
3. American Cockroaches
The American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) is commonly found in Missouri. These roaches are one of the largest living in America, as they are anywhere between 1 ½ to 2 inches long. They are reddish-brown and have a figure-eight yellow band on their heads. Both male and female American roaches can glide short distances.
These insects live in humid, warm environments like basements, pastry shops, grocery stores, and other commercial buildings. You can find them practically anywhere you go.
Read More: How to Get Rid of and Kill the American Cockroach
4. Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach
The Pennsylvania wood cockroach (Parcoblatta pensylvanica) is another common species in Missouri. These roaches have dark brown mahogany with a narrow tan line on their wings. These insects are roughly ¾ to 1 inch long, with females being shorter and having short wings.
Often, wood cockroaches live their entire lives outdoors but are often found near stacks of firewood or in wooded areas. They will infest homes under wood siding or wood shingles, so inspect these areas regularly if you have these things.
5. Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Lastly, we have the brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa), which got its name by containing two light brown bands across its dark chocolate brown body. This cockroach species is approximately one inch long, and its wings cover ¾ of their bodies.
Brown-banded cockroaches have been around the USA since 1903 when they traveled from Cuba to Florida, but now you can see them throughout the USA.
Cockroaches in the Neighboring States
The roaches found in nearby states can also usually be found in Missouri. Luckily the cockroaches found in Illinois are the same, offering no new threats. However, one of the cockroaches in Kansas, the Pennsylvania wood roach is a bit more common. You may want to be on the lookout if you are closer to this border.
Are Roaches in Missouri Dangerous?
Yes, roaches in Missouri can be dangerous. Cockroaches carry many different sicknesses and diseases with them.
For example, if a roach was living in your home and just finished eating some feces stuck on your toilet, it can walk on your countertops, creating cross-contamination. Now you might be unable to enjoy that last piece of cake due to the roaches potentially eating or walking on it.
Not only that, but cockroaches can cause fever, vomiting, gastroenteritis, and more. However, if a roach were to bite you, it would not cause any harm.
What Eats Roaches in Missouri?
Spiders, amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles eat roaches in Missouri. Many of these creatures benefit from cockroaches’ protein crystals it provides. These proteins inside the insect give a lot of energy, allowing the predators to function correctly.
These predators kill cockroaches in different ways. For example, lizards and toads crush roaches with their mouths, while others, like the wasp, lay their eggs in cockroach larvae. Once the wasp hatches, the baby wasps feed on the larvae.
Read More: Do Chickens Eat Cockroaches?
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Roaches in Missouri
There are many natural ways to get rid of roaches in Missouri. If you want to take an eco-friendly approach to killing roaches, place diatomaceous earth around the premises of your home or where you see the most roach activity..
However, for a much better effect, create a bait using diatomaceous earth and sugar or mix it with peanut butter. The roach will take the bait and share it with its friends.
Next, make an essential oils spray with peppermint oil, cypress oil, cedar, or oregano oil. Some of these oils kill, while others deter them due to their smells. A recent study showed that oregano oil is the most effective way to prevent cockroaches and lasted roughly a week.
Read More: How Effective Is Peppermint Oil Against Cockroaches?
Using sticky traps is an excellent choice for roaches as well. Make sure to place these traps near holes or under the door. This ensures the cockroach cannot get in or out of these areas very well.
Lastly, use citrus as a deterrent for roaches. You can use lemon or citrus essential oils to repel roaches, including grapefruit, lemon, and lime. Cockroaches hate citrus flavors and want nothing to do with it. Plus, you get to clean your home in the process thanks to lemon’s antibacterial properties!
Conventional Ways to Get Rid of Roaches in Missouri
There are quite a few conventional ways to get rid of roaches, such as using baits, boric acid, caulking holes in the walls, or pesticides.
The bait method works very well because it contains poison that kills cockroaches. Gel baits or bait stations are slow actings because they allow the roaches enough time to return to their colony and share with the group. Afterward, they will die off rather quickly.
Caulk and seal holes you see in your home, especially if you see a spot near food sources. Sometimes filling in holes that serve as access points around your home is the solution to your pest problem.
Read More: Where Do Roaches Come Inside From?
Many homeowners spray their homes with pesticides every few months. Make sure to spray by baseboards and allow the poison to do its work. However, if you do this method, be prepared to clean up the dead bodies as they die.
Lastly, using boric acid eliminates roaches effectively. By far, it is the quickest way to kill roaches. Make sure to mix this solution with sugar or peanut butter and place them in areas where you see cockroaches the most.
Call Pest Control if All Else Fails
Although we went over many different options to eliminate these pests from within your Missouri home, the best thing for you to do is call a professional exterminator.
Doing so ensures the common roach will leave your home within a certain period. A good exterminator goes through which type of roaches you have and what the best action plan will be.
Overall, we hope this article was helpful to you. We highly encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and good luck getting rid of these nasty creatures from your home!
