By Cheryl Conley
Lake Creek Nature Preserve
Usually when you’re number one in something, you feel darned good. It brings a sense of pride. Over the years Houston has claimed that spot in several areas. In 2021 Houston was named #1 for being the most diverse city in the United States. According to a study by Penske Truck Rental in 2024, Houston was ranked as the #1 moving destination. Everyone knows The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo holds the title for having the world's largest rodeo. There is another #1 spot it holds that I am sure it’s not thrilled about. A study by Pest Gnome, a company that specializes in connecting people to exterminators, declared Houston the city with the most cockroaches—a title few would dispute.
Cockroaches love heat and humidity—and there’s no denying that Houston offers ideal conditions for them. Globally there are 4,500 species but only 69 of them live in the United States. Texas has about 30 species but in Houston, there are 4 prevalent species-- American, German, Oriental, and Brown-banded cockroaches.
The largest one you are likely to see in and around your home is the American cockroach growing up to 2 inches long. They are also known as water bugs or palmetto bugs. They are reddish-brown in color and can fly. The German roach is smaller, brown, and has two dark stripes. They have wings but they don’t fly. They are the most prolific breeders, and it only takes 100 days (about 3 and a half months) to produce a new generation. They are usually found near food and water sources. They spend their entire lives inside. The Oriental roach is dark brown or black and grow to about 1.25 inches long. Like the German roach, they have wings but don’t fly. They prefer cooler, ground-level sites such as basements, crawl spaces, and wet areas. The brown-banded roach likes warmer and drier areas and you’re likely to see them in appliances. They can grow to 1.5 inches long and have antennae that are as long as their body. As their name implies, adults have distinctive brown bands. Younger ones are black with two white bands on the body and white-tipped antennae. American, Oriental, and Brown-banded roaches live mostly outdoors but will move indoors in search of food and water.
Cockroaches aren’t just an annoyance; they are a health hazard. They carry bacteria that can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Cockroaches have been known to play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever according to the World Health Organization. In an article in the Journal of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, cockroaches are one of the most common sources of indoor allergens.
Most homeowners I know have a professional pest control company treat their homes, both inside and outside, on a regular basis but you can help reduce the cockroach population by limiting their access to water, food, and shelter.