Cockroach Identification Guide for Utah
Cockroaches are very common, but very unwanted, pests that sometimes live inside our homes and businesses. Learn how to ID & prevent Salt Lake City pests.
Cockroach Facts for Salt Lake City:
What Are Cockroaches?
One of the most adaptable insects on the planet; over 4,500 species worldwide, about 30 of which live near humans.
Oily, oval-shaped bodies with six legs, two long antennae, and most species have wings (though not all fly).
The two most common species in Salt Lake City are the German cockroach and Oriental cockroach.
Oriental Cockroach
Larger, shiny black to dark brown. Often called "water bugs" because they prefer cool, damp environments; sewers, drains, basements, under sinks. Also found outdoors under mulch, leaves, and debris.
Health Risks
Cockroaches carry diseases, bacteria, and parasites that contaminate food and surfaces. Their presence triggers allergies and respiratory issues. As they travel through your home, they contaminate not just food but toothbrushes, utensils, dishes, and clothing. They also chew on and stain fabrics, walls, and floors.
How They Get In
Active year-round. They enter homes while foraging for food or hitchhike inside bags, boxes, deliveries, furniture, and electronics. Properties with excess moisture, standing water, accessible trash, pet food bowls, and dirty dishes are most attractive to them.
German Cockroach
Small, light brown with two dark stripes on the back.
Prefers warm, humid indoor spaces; kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms. Lives almost entirely indoors.
Reproduces rapidly, making early treatment critical.
Prevention Tips
- Seal entry points
- Fix leaky pipes
- Use dehumidifiers
- Store food in airtight containers
- Wash dishes daily
- Keep lids on trash cans
- Always inspect used furniture, boxes, and electronics before bringing them inside.
How do I get rid of cockroaches?
A cockroach infestation is a frustrating pest problem. The easiest way to get rid of cockroaches and other pests is to partner with Pest Pro Pest Control. We provide the effective home pest control and commercial pest control services needed to protect Utah residential and commercial properties from insects, rodents, and other pests.
At Pest Pro Pest Control, we are committed to helping Utah home and business owners maintain pest-free properties with our guaranteed pest control services. For more information about our cockroach control treatments in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, reach out to Pest Pro Pest Control today!
All About cockroaches
Cockroaches are very common, but very unwanted, pests that sometimes live inside our homes and businesses. The adaptability of cockroaches have allowed these insects to thrive longer than most other species of insects. Cockroaches have oily, oval-shaped bodies with six legs and two long antennae. Most species have wings, but not all can fly. Two of the most common species of cockroaches living in Salt Lake and surrounding areas are the German cockroach and Oriental cockroach.
Cockroaches come in many shapes and sizes, but German and Oriental cockroaches are among the most common species homeowners encounter. Understanding the key differences between these pests can help you identify and address infestations more effectively:
German Cockroaches
- Small and light brown with two distinct dark stripes on their backs.
- Prefer warm, humid indoor areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
- Reproduce rapidly, making early intervention crucial for control.
Oriental Cockroaches
- Larger and darker in color, ranging from shiny black to dark brown.
- Thrive in cool, damp areas such as basements, drains, and outdoor spaces with decaying organic matter.
- Often referred to as "water bugs" due to their preference for moist environments.
By recognizing the differences between these two cockroach species, you can take the right steps to protect your home and maintain a pest-free environment.
Most of the 4,500 species of cockroaches living worldwide live outside away from people, helping to breakdown decaying materials. It is only about 30 species that have come to live near people, taking advantage of the food and shelter we offer them.
Are cockroaches dangerous?
The presence of cockroaches can cause respiratory issues by triggering allergies or causing allergy attacks. Cockroaches carry diseases, bacteria, and parasites on their bodies and can spread pathogens to food and surfaces, which can make people ill.
As cockroaches feed and travel throughout your home or business, they will chew on and stain clothing, upholstered furniture, other fabrics, walls, floors, and more. They will not only contaminate food, but things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, utensils, and dishes.
Why do I have a cockroach problem?
Cockroaches are active throughout the year, finding their way inside homes and businesses on their own while foraging for food or accidentally after hitchhiking inside bags, boxes, deliveries, furniture, or electronics.
Most cockroaches gravitate to properties with areas of excessive moisture or standing water. Properties that offer multiple places for them to forage for food also attract them. They commonly find food in trash cans, compost bins, outdoor eating areas, pet food bowls, dirty dishes in sinks, and crumbs on the floors.
Where will I find cockroaches?
Oriental cockroaches are not aquatic, but they are often referred to as “water bugs” because they prefer to live in or very near extremely damp locations. Outside, these roaches live near sewers and drains, under mulch, and under leaves or other piles of debris that trap moisture. Inside, these moisture-loving pests live around toilets, in damp basements, in cabinets under sinks, and kitchen areas.
German cockroaches live most of their lives inside. They are common pests in homes, restaurants, schools, hotels, food processing facilities, and anywhere else food is prepared or stored. They like to live in warm, humid areas of a structure like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?
Keep your Utah home and yard protected from cockroaches with the help of Pest Pro Pest Control and the following prevention tips:
- Seal any entry points that give roaches access to your home.
- Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Fix any leaky pipes and fixtures.
- Maintain gutters to make sure they are directing water away from the outside of your home.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels in your home.
- Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on trash cans and compost bins.
- Store your food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.
- Wash dishes and remove trash from your home daily.
- Sweep and vacuum your floors daily.
- Inspect boxes, packages, used furniture, and electronics for cockroaches.
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