When Is Cockroach Season in Louisiana?

Cockroaches are some seriously interesting creatures. While they can be disturbing, making your skin crawl when you spot one (especially when there’s more than one), they are also wildly interesting. They can live for long periods without any food or water and can even survive without their heads. There are many different types of cockroaches found throughout the world — for everything you need to know about them, head on over to this page. In this article, we focus specifically on the cockroach season in Louisiana.

Cockroach Season in Louisiana

If you’re familiar with the state, you know there is a high cockroach population. They’re not usually the type of crawlers that languidly make their way around — their movements are often fast and erratic. If you’re not familiar with them, they do startle you. New students at Louisiana State University (LSU) that arrive from other states, for example, often share the shock they feel when they realize they’ll be cohabiting with these creatures. There aren’t just a couple of cockroaches found throughout the state. Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cockroach species.

Aaron Ashbrook from the Department of Entomology at LSU chimes in to explain why cockroaches seem to thrive in the state. They love the environment because of its high precipitation. Most of the year is swamp-like in the state, which allows cockroaches to survive outdoors. Additionally, Louisiana offers up some of the best food sources for these critters, especially decaying plants. When the weather is hot and there’s constant rain, you can expect to see roaches. When the weather cools down during the winter season, they’re much less prevalent.

Types of Cockroaches in Louisiana

Since cockroaches are nocturnal, you may not always be privy to all the different types. They also scurry when you flip on the lights, and unless you’re interested in getting up close and personal with these creatures, it doesn’t matter what type of it is! But knowing which ones are roaming about your home or maybe even inside your home is important. This way, you know how to clear an infestation effectively. Below are some of the types of cockroaches in Louisiana.

American Cockroach

Scientific name: Periplaneta americana

The American cockroach has one of the largest bodies, which means you’re much more likely to spot it compared to some of the other species. Their bodies are a reddish-brown color, and they have wings. Although they’re super speedy on the ground, they’re not that great at flying. Their neck area is paler than the rest of their bodies, and despite their names, they’re not native to North America. You’re likely to spot them throughout the year, and yes, even inside your home.

Oriental Cockroach

Scientific name: Blatta orientalis

Oriental cockroaches also have a reddish tint to them, but they’re darker brown, sometimes appearing black at first glance. The males have wings, but they do not fly. You may have also heard them referred to as “waterbugs.” They’re the laziest of the bunch, walking about sluggishly, unable to use their wings, and not very adept at climbing. They usually hang out where they can enjoy moisture and darkness around drains and sewers, but they may also cozy up around your damp porch or basement.

German Cockroach

Scientific name: Blattella germanica

The German cockroach is lighter in color, more of a tan or pale brown. These are the ones you have to worry about. If you spot one, you likely have an infestation, and you need to act fast. They don’t do well in the cold, so they seek out warm environments, including your home.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

Scientific name: Supella longipalpa

The brown-banded cockroach is unique looking with two light-color marks that run across its wings. The rest of its body is a light, almost translucent brown. It’s the smallest of the roaches you’ll find in the state, and you’re unlikely to see them because they don’t like bright environments — though choosy about light, they’re not picky about food. They’ll eat anything!

Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Scientific name: Parcoblatta pensylvanica

This cockroach prefers the outdoors, usually around tree trunks. They’re dark brown with wings and won’t find your home particularly interesting. You might accidentally invite one inside if you are bringing in wood from outdoors, however. Unlike some other cockroaches on the list, these roaches prefer cooler weather.

What To Do When Cockroaches Are Prevalent in the Home

If you’ve noticed you may have a cockroach problem, there are some do-it-yourself tactics you can employ. Roach traps, for instance, can attract roaches, poison them, and then they end up dead in a corner somewhere, so you can sweep them up and out of your home. Sprays can be effective as well, not just for prevention but also for on-the-spot spraying. When it’s an infestation, however, it’s best to get a local pro to take care of it!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © PitukTV/Shutterstock.com