When Is Cockroach Season in Tennessee?

Cockroaches are not the most popular house guests! Most people would prefer it if they did not have to share their home with these creepy crawlies and that includes the residents of Tennessee. Cockroaches can carry many diseases including typhoid and salmonella so you have good reasons for not wanting them in your home. Roaches are adaptable and resilient and have a habit of interfering with your daily life! Here we will explore how these insects behave throughout the year. When is cockroach season in Tennessee and what can you do to keep them out of your home? Let’s take a closer look.

What Type of Cockroaches Live in Tenessee?

There are around 4,500 different species of cockroach worldwide and around 70 of these can be found in the US. Cockroaches are a member of the Blattaria order. They have been on the Earth for over 300 million years (far longer than we have) and of all the species, only 25 or so are considered as pests. The rest play a vital role in their ecosystems and are not a nuisance to us at all.  

Within the Tennessee area, there four major types of cockroaches which are:

• Brown banded cockroach – they grow to around half an inch long and are a dark brown color with a characteristic yellow banding on the abdomen.
• American cockroach – they can reach over an inch in length and are a red-brown color.
• German cockroach – the adults grow to about half an inch in length, they are pale brown with two dark stripes on their thorax.
• Oriental cockroach – they are a uniform dark brown or black color and can be over an inch long.

When Is Cockroach Season in Tennessee?

A ‘cockroach season’ is when you can expect to see more of these insects. In states with colder climates, roach activity decreases in the winter as they hide away or die off. Tennessee, however, has a moderate climate so roaches can be active here all year round. The Tennessee winters are not cold enough to put cockroaches off. That said, cockroach season in Tennessee would still be in the summer as they enjoy the extra heat and humidity. Also, because the state has a varied topography, there is a wide range of climatic conditions which leads to a variation in cockroach behavior.

Is It Common to Have Roaches in Tennessee?

Yes, unfortunately, Tennessee residents have their fair share of cockroach issues. Roaches like dark and moist places with plenty of food and that is why they find our homes attractive. As opportunistic feeders, they will eat almost anything but have a particular taste for sweet and greasy foods.

Tips for Preventing Cockroaches

You can deter roaches from coming into your home by eliminating their food sources, keeping everything clean, decluttering, and carrying out general building maintenance. Here are some top tips for preventing cockroaches in Tennessee:

• Remove leftover food from tables, worksurfaces, and from under appliances.
• Clear up liquid spillages and remove liquids from sinks and bowls.
• Use airtight containers to store food to prevent food odors from being detected by roaches.
• Empty your trash cans located inside the house every day.
• Remove pet food bowls at the end of every day.
• Declutter – it is especially important to remove newspapers and cardboard.
• Fill and seal cracks in walls and check and repair pipes.

Final Thoughts on Cockroach Season in Tennessee

Cockroach season in Tennessee is not as easy to identify as in some other states as it has a moderate climate. Roaches in this state are active all year round. That said, the heat and humidity of Tennessee summers do make roaches more active. The micro-climates within the state are variable and this affects roach activity.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/smuay