If you have seen one cockroach, you may believe you have seen them all. However, believe it or not, a large variety of pest cockroach species inhabit all of Oklahoma.
Each of these has the potential to become a cockroach infestation, with some being more likely than others, although you probably will not see a palmetto bug in Oklahoma! Let’s take a look at what kind of cockroach Oklahoma deals with most often:
- German cockroach
- American cockroach
- Oriental cockroach
- Smoky brown cockroach
- Brown-banded cockroach
This article discusses multiple subjects on roaches that live in this particular state, so continue for more information.
What Cockroaches Live in Oklahoma?
There are five unique species of cockroaches that live in Oklahoma such as the oriental, American, and German cockroaches. While these different kinds can result in a cockroach problem given enough time and opportunity, below, we will go over how to discern one roach from the next and which prevalent species you have the highest chance of encountering.
1. German Cockroach
The German roach is traditionally a pale brown color featuring long dark streaks that run from the top of their heads along their body length.
Speaking of the body, German cockroaches are usually about ½ to ⅝ of an inch long and notably prefer dark places. However, these cockroaches are nocturnal, meaning you will see them mainly in the evening.
As for lifestyle, German cockroaches can live for up to thirty weeks, assuming nothing befalls them. Throughout that period, they can lay up to one egg capsule every six weeks, producing 30 to 48 eggs in each capsule.
A German cockroach breeds anywhere between 120 to 384 young per lifecycle, which means the German cockroach produces the most eggs per capsule of any roach.
Additionally, the parental stylings of the German cockroach are a tad expedited. Female German cockroaches carry their egg capsules for only a day or two before stashing them somewhere the roach deems safe, letting its brood hatch independently. This could begin a German cockroach infestation wherever it leaves its egg capsules and allows baby German roach nymphs to grow.
Read More: How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches Overnight
2. American Cockroaches
The American cockroach is only American in name, with its origins hailing from East Africa, arriving on American soil via cargo ships, and spreading across the planet in the same fashion.
These bugs are over an inch long, ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 inches on average, and have an appetite to match.
As far as looks go, you can tell you are looking at an American cockroach by noting the dark reddish brown spots on the back of its head and the glossy appearance of its exoskeleton.
Both males and females of the species feature short wings, with the males having slightly longer wings reaching past their abdomen. These cockroaches typically glide down instead of flying.
Another essential part of the American cockroach is that it is swift. Although they might not fly extensively, these cockroaches can run roughly 3 miles per hour, making them difficult to catch if spotted.
American roaches are also one of the largest insects most commonly found in homes and commercial buildings. Like all roaches, they prefer a humid environment and aren’t picky about what they eat. These food sources are anything like cardboard boxes, leather, newspapers, and food left on dirty dishes.
Read More: How to Get Rid of and Kill the American Cockroach
3. Oriental Cockroaches
The oriental cockroach takes the dark reddish brown cosmetic features of the American and makes that its entire theme, with an even shiner body, measuring one inch long in size.
The oriental cockroach prefers damp locations, mostly outside, but damp basements could make an exciting venture if nothing else is suitable.
Oriental cockroaches need to feed on decaying plant matter to sustain themselves. While this could be something as easy as nibbling on leaf litter outside your home, getting a full-scale roach infestation from these is a horrible position.
Any common household pests could pose an issue to someone who isn’t accustomed to having them. Still, oriental roaches take it to another level with their strong, musty odor and a deep obsession with finding as much moisture as possible.
The stench created by these roaches is highly noticeable, even more, so that this roach is commonly referred to as one of the filthiest roaches in Oklahoma. It’s also one of the more difficult smells to get rid of.
Read More: Oriental Cockroach Elimination Guide
4. Smokybrown Cockroaches
Smoky brown cockroaches are usually dark in color, settling somewhere between a dark brown to almost mahogany. Their only discernable characteristics are the unique shine on their exoskeleton and wings that go slightly beyond their abdomens.
Smoky brown roaches are more or less an outdoor pest, rarely venturing inside anyone’s home because they prefer to live outdoors and in sewer systems as opposed to inside your dwelling; these cockroaches prefer a bit more freedom.
As with all Oklahoma cockroaches, the smoky brown will do whatever it takes to survive, expanding its diet past local wood piles should times become dire enough. Their dark brown exterior allows them to hide amongst most hard-to-reach places easily.
5. Brown Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches are the lightest colored roach to inhabit Oklahoma and also the smallest of all Oklahoma cockroaches. They typically measure about 1/2 an inch long.
Cockroach identification is not challenging for these pests, as they are light brown, with two unique tan-colored bands located directly in the center of their bodies.
This tiny size also allows them to creep into places other roaches can’t, which makes handling an infestation of these even more difficult than other species. The brown-banded cockroach is one of the most annoying cockroach species you can encounter due to their size and robust diet of anything.
You can find these friends everywhere, from your neighbor’s house to food processing plants around the country, and while they might be small, the threat from them is genuine.
Being tiny allows them to easily inhabit food prep areas, giving you significantly higher chances of getting food poisoning from your favorite restaurants or home if you are vigilant, so cleaning and dealing with them is imperative.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Neighboring States
The types of roaches found in Oklahoma’s neighbors can make their way into the state. Cockroaches in Missouri are mostly the same types. However, you may also find more Pennsylvania wood roaches. The same types of cockroaches can be found in Kansas and Texas.
Are Roaches in Oklahoma Dangerous?
Yes, roaches in Oklahoma are dangerous because they risk giving you serious diseases, asthma attacks, and causing other food-borne illnesses thanks to the bacteria covering their bodies. Roaches can quickly get you into a hospital if you do not kill them immediately.
What Eats Roaches in Oklahoma?
Usually, spiders, mice, and certain birds eat roaches in Oklahoma. Several things will happily take a cockroach snack.
Still, these nutritionally rich light brown pests can easily overwhelm your household, and you cannot have enough spiders in your home to combat an invasion.
Natural Ways to Eliminate Roaches in Oklahoma
There are quite a few natural ways to eliminate roaches in Oklahoma. Utilizing diatomaceous earth is an environmentally safe way of killing the roaches and preventing more from getting in. You can also use cedar mulch to help keep them at bay.
Conventional Ways to Get Rid of Roaches in Oklahoma
Bait traps and boric acid lined with peanut butter are some of the most common ways to get rid of roaches. Still, keeping your home clean and carefully inspecting your house for entry points will often yield far more results.
Call Pest Control If All Else Fails
You can reach out to a professional exterminator for the best ways to kill them and prevent them from coming back into your home.
Most exterminators will advise ensuring the average temperature in your home is maintained and that you examine your home diligently for egg casings, which could signify you have an infestation on your hands.
Lastly, we hope this article was helpful to you.
