Alabama’s Cockroach Season Lasts Nearly All Year

Quick Take

• The cockroaches named after Germany and America didn't actually originate there, and their true origins explain a lot about their behavior in Alabama. German cockroach origins →
• Sealing every crack and crevice in your home won't stop one of Alabama's most common cockroach species, and the reason why is not what most people expect. See the flying species →
• A clean home offers no protection against infestation, and the real factor that attracts cockroaches year-round surprises most Alabama homeowners. Year-round activity explained →
• One Alabama cockroach species can detect you before you detect it, and by the time you smell it the problem is already far worse than you think. Spot the warning signs →

Alabama is blessed with mild winters thanks to the warm air that flows through the state from the gulf. However, the warm, humid weather can also make household pests become more active. Learn more about common cockroach species in Alabama, including when and where they are most likely to be found, as well as how to prevent an infestation in your home or garden.

Cockroach Season in Alabama

Having warm temperatures for extended periods means cockroaches appear more frequently. So, when is cockroach season in Alabama? Cockroaches are most active during the spring and summer, as they favor the warmth and humidity of the warmer months. Many species thrive best at temperatures between 75°-85°F. However, as long as the temperature stays above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, most common species can remain active all year.

Types of Cockroaches Native to Alabama

There are at least 25 species of cockroaches in Alabama. However, some species are more common than others, including the German cockroach, the American cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, and the Asian cockroach.

German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

Due to the German cockroaches’ name, one would think they are native to Germany, but this pest actually comes from South or Southeast Asia, which is why they are so sensitive to the cold. Identifying a German cockroach is easy. Here are prominent characteristics to look for:

• Their abdomens are slender and taper down, and they have a yellowish underside.
• Males are pale brown or tan, with two dark stripes on their heads.
• Females are darker than males, and their abdomens are wider.
• Adults typically measure 0.5 to 0.63 inches long.

Unfortunately, German cockroaches are a problem all year round in Alabama. They usually only come out at night to scavenge for water and food but will make a quick getaway if you turn a light on or disturb them. They are drawn to sugars, meats, starches, and fatty foods. However, they may eat items like glue, soap, and toothpaste if they don’t have access to food. You can find them in restaurants, homes, apartments, hospitals, hotels, and other institutions.

These insects find refuge in tight spaces around stoves, refrigerators, sinks, and in walls. This makes it difficult to determine whether you have a cockroach infestation. However, one clear-cut sign you have a problem is if you see a German Cockroach during the day. These roaches generally die at temperatures below 45°F.

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

The American cockroach actually originated in Africa and the Middle East. It is the largest species of cockroach in Alabama. In addition, it is an incredibly fast runner. It’s hard to miss an American cockroach because of its large size. Identifying characteristics include:

• They have reddish-brown wings.
• They have short wings, but the male’s wings extend beyond their abdomens.
• These cockroaches have pale necks with two dark brownish-red blotches in the middle.
• Adults measure 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

When inside a warm home, they are active all year round. However, they are mainly commercial pests, often infesting supermarkets, restaurants, warehouses, shipyards, and bakeries. They enter properties through plumbing or sewage systems or air ducts. In addition, you can find them in crawl spaces, basements, and cracks in the foundation. Unfortunately, American cockroaches in Alabama can survive on anything. They usually eat sweets and starches, pet food, and fermented foods, but they will consume any organic matter.

If there is a large population of American cockroaches in your home, you will be able to smell them as they emit a foul odor. These secretions can also change the flavor of food. Furthermore, they can carry disease-causing bacteria on their legs, such as salmonella, which contaminates food when they walk over it and can cause infections or food poisoning. Their feces collected in dust can trigger asthma or allergic reactions. These cockroaches rarely survive long-term exposure to temperatures below 50°F.

Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

Oriental cockroaches are large roaches that are easily recognizable because of their dark coloring. They are believed to have originated in North Africa. To identify the Oriental cockroach, look for the following characteristics:

• They have shiny dark blackish-brown to reddish-brown exoskeletons.
• Males have long wings that cover 75% of their abdomens.
• Females have very short, vestigial wings.
• Adults measure from 1 to 1.25 inches in length.

Because they prefer dark, moist places, Oriental cockroaches are often referred to as waterbugs. Luckily, they are flightless, sluggish, and poor climbers. Oriental cockroaches primarily occur in damp basements, drains, porches, sewers, and other moist locations. However, when outside, they inhabit woodpiles, leaf litter, mulch, and bushes. As a result, you can sometimes spot them eating animal matter, decaying plants, and starchy scraps.

These roaches are major pests. Additionally, they emit a disgusting odor and are considered one of the filthiest cockroaches in Alabama. For example, the Oriental cockroach can spread viruses and bacteria from their legs to utensils, dishes, food, and surfaces like countertops. Unfortunately, they spread diseases like dysentery, salmonella, and E. coli, and they cause food poisoning. So, if you find one of these pests in your home, call an exterminator immediately. Oriental cockroaches tolerate cold temperatures better than other roaches, but they can perish at freezing temperatures below 32°F.

Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai)

Asian cockroaches look very similar to the German cockroaches they are related to, but they have longer wings and tend to fly more often. You can recognize an Asian cockroach by the following characteristics:

• They have long wings.
• These cockroaches are relatively small, with adults measuring from 0.5 to 0.63 inches in length.
• They are brown to tan in color, with two dark stripes on their heads.

Asian cockroaches are typically found outside in composted areas with leaf litter, shaded mulch, and other damp places. Once they have established a preferred habitat, they may form colonies of up to 250,000 individuals per acre. However, they are not as cold hardy as German cockroaches and will die when the weather reaches sustained temperatures of 50°F or colder.

These roaches are different from other species of cockroaches in Alabama due to their attraction to light and excellent flying abilities. Sealing up crevices and cracks won’t keep these roaches out because they fly through open windows and doors. One thing they do have in common with other cockroach species is their diet. They are omnivores and often feed on decaying plant material, organic debris, and agricultural crops, but they will eat anything.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Yes, cockroaches are very dangerous, no matter the species. These pests invade in massive numbers, contaminating food because they carry parasites, bacteria, and human pathogens on their legs and bodies, which they spread to the food and surfaces they walk over.

They can spread bacteria and diseases like:

• E. coli
• salmonella
• dysentery

Their fecal matter also mixes with dust and causes people to experience allergic reactions or asthma. Furthermore, they can damage items in your home. For example, these pests chew through rugs, paper, upholstered furniture, clothing, books, and wallpaper.

Cockroach Prevention in Alabama

While most people believe that a dirty home attracts cockroaches, clean homes are also susceptible to infestation. Any property with food, moisture, and heat is at risk. Cockroaches enter a house in two ways: they come in while searching for moisture and food, or they are introduced by accident. For example, they often enter properties inside boxes, bags, deliveries, electronics, wood from woodpiles, or used appliances or furniture.

Here are some easy ways of preventing a cockroach infestation in your home:

• Install door sweeps, seal around areas where wires and utilities enter your home, and place covers over drains and vents.
• Because cockroaches have flat bodies, they can squeeze through the tiniest gaps. Therefore, inspect exterior walls and seal any cracks or crevices.
• Reduce excess moisture around and inside your home by repairing leaky fixtures, not overwatering lawns and gardens, and installing gutters.
• Inspect all deliveries and used goods you receive before taking them inside your home.
• Limit their food sources by wiping down surfaces and vacuuming your home frequently. In addition, wash dirty dishes before bed, clean up leftover food, including pet food, and only eat at designated spots like the dining room table.
• You can also use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to lower the humidity levels in your home.