When Is Cockroach Season in South Carolina?

Written by Kaleigh Moore
Published: April 10, 2023
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South Carolina’s sultry and moist subtropical climate allows cockroaches to thrive year-round. The summer months, in particular, are when these filthy insects hit peak populations due to the warmer temperature. This further aids their development and breeding capabilities.

The chill of winter drives cockroaches to find refuge and warmth indoors. With the cold weather keeping them from their usual outdoor activities, they often seek out cozy spots like kitchen stoves or air ducts inside your home – making them more than just a nuisance but an ever-growing problem you need to be aware of.

In winter, cockroaches are not frequently seen due to the cold temperatures which impede their reproduction. On the other hand, during summertime, when it’s warm and humid – a perfect environment for them – they breed quickly and become more visible in homes. Sadly, these pests bring hazardous pathogens and allergens that can harm your health and cause damage around the house.

Furthermore, cockroaches are disgustingly unclean — they rummage through human waste and trash cans. Just the thought of having these critters in your kitchen will make anyone feel queasy. This article will discuss South Carolina’s roach season and how to keep them out of your residence. First things first, let’s take a look at what kind of cockroach season SC has on offer!

German Cockroach

As cockroaches are drawn to the warmth of South Carolina summers, their activity peaks during the summer months.

©7th Son Studio/Shutterstock.com

Cockroach Season in South Carolina

As cockroaches are drawn to the warmth of South Carolina summers, their activity peaks during these months. Here’s an overview of what you can expect regarding your local roach population by month:

  • As the temperature rises during March, cockroach activity increases steadily.
  • As the weather warms up during April, cockroach activity intensifies.
  • During the Spring season, especially in May, cockroaches thrive and multiply due to South Carolina’s warm climate – making it their ideal environment.
  • The warmer June weather signals a surge in cockroach activity; however, as the temperature peaks and intensifies during late summer, their numbers will start dwindling.
  • When the sweltering summer sun of South Carolina intensifies in July, cockroaches can be seen scuttling around everywhere.
  • August: temperature begins to cool off this month, but cockroach activity may still be high.
  • September: cockroach activity may decrease as temperatures continue to cool down.
  • October: cockroach activity typically begins to decline as temperatures continue to drop. 
  • November: cockroach activity is confined indoors as they seek warmth and high humidity. Temperatures have dropped significantly to reduce cockroach activity to a minimum, particularly outdoors.
Types of Cockroaches - Oriental Cockroach

Cockroaches can easily fit their flattened bodies into the tightest spaces to gain access to your home.

©Yuliia Hurzhos/Shutterstock.com

Mistakes South Carolina Residents Make That Attract Cockroaches

During the late summer and early fall seasons, South Carolina residents make mistakes that can lead to cockroach infestations. Here are some of them:

1. Unknowingly Feeding Cockroaches 

Winter may be a time of hibernation for some, but not for the uninvited guests residing in your home. Without proper attention to cleanliness, these insects can make themselves comfortable quite quickly. Leaving leftovers on counters and open bins becomes an irresistible feast. If this scenario is all too familiar, you have passively welcomed cockroaches into your abode without even realizing it.

2. Giving Cockroaches Easy Access to Your Home 

Cockroaches can easily fit their flattened bodies into the tightest spaces to gain access to your home. If they find any cracks, gaps, or openings around windows and doors, holes in door screens and window panes – you better believe these pests will take advantage of them! Don’t let roaches win. Inspect your walls and seal off all potential entry points immediately.

3. Allowing Moisture Build-Up in Your Home 

Cockroaches thrive in dark and damp places. Faulty pipes, dripping faucets, and any other leaking fixture that brings about dampness. It’s no wonder cockroaches are prevalent in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens.

Keeping cockroaches outside your home is critical to preserving your family’s health. Cockroaches are drawn to moist environments, so your goal should be to reduce the humidity in yours. Check for any leaks or standing water and fix them immediately if any are found. If you have any plants indoors, ensure their pots always have enough drainage holes! Additionally, use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to keep your home dry. 

4. Poor Hygiene

A cluttered home is an open invitation for cockroaches. This makes it much easier for roaches to find shelter and food, so be sure to keep your space neat by regularly vacuuming and mopping floors to remove any potential snacks that could attract these pests. Additionally, take out the trash regularly and store food in airtight containers to avoid the temptation of free meals.

Removing any debris, leaves, or wood piles from your yard will make it much more difficult for cockroaches to set up camp outside your home. If you spot any standing water on your property – drain it immediately, as this could be a potential breeding ground for roaches. 

American cockroach crawling

Keeping cockroaches outside your home is critical to preserving your family’s health.

©iStock.com/ViniSouza128

Cockroach Species in South Carolina

South Carolina residents will likely encounter four cockroach species: American, German, Oriental, Brown-banded, and Smoky brown cockroaches.

Smokybrown cockroaches, larvae and adults.

An adult Smoky brown cockroach has a length of 1.5 inches. These cockroaches are strong fliers with wings stretching over their bodies.

©iStock.com/Yusuke Ide

American Cockroaches

Typically, American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) are a dark, reddish-brown species with a lighter brown outline. They are the largest cockroach species in the United States, measuring one and a half to two inches long. American cockroaches have a distinctive figure-eight pattern behind their bodies.  

Interestingly, the American roaches are not native to America. They originated from Africa and landed in America through European explorer ships. In some circles, the American Cockroach is also known as the Palmetto bug, Bombay Canary, or the water bug. Both male and female American cockroaches have wings but can only sustain short-distance flights. 

While they can bite, they rarely do it. Their bites should not alarm you unless they’re infected. In any case, cockroaches transmit the pathogens and allergens they carry through their bodies, removed as excretion. You’ll discover their infestation through the following signs: 

  • They produce a pheromone with a “musty” smell and can be picked up by people with sensitive noses around the home.
  • Occasionally, they’ll leave droppings, particularly in the dimly lit areas of your home. The droppings are similar to mouse dropping.
  • The females produce 8mm long and dark-colored egg capsules.

German Cockroach

German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) are flat, oval-shaped insects measuring 0.5 to 0.6 inches long. They have a light brown to tan color and two dark stripes on their back. Compared to American cockroaches, they’re relatively small. Despite this, don’t underestimate their destructive ability. Ironically, German cockroaches are not originally from Europe. These critters sneak homes via second-hand appliances, grocery bags, food packaging, etc.

German cockroaches feed on anything, including toothpaste, soap, and glue. Even though they have wings, they can’t fly. They instead scurry away quite fast, especially when they sense danger. You’ll notice their presence through their droppings, among other factors: their droppings resemble coffee grounds or black pepper. 

While they might not cause any damage to your items like other insects, German cockroaches carry allergens and bacteria through excretion. To see whether there’s an infestation by German cockroaches, you can watch out for similar signs as those shared on American cockroaches, including droppings, egg capsules, shed skins, etc.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches originated from the Caspian and the Black Sea. They have a deep dark brown hue that gives off a black color. An adult oriental cockroach averages 1.4 to 1.6 inches long and is classified as large, especially on American soil. They have a short lifespan enjoying an average of fewer than 180 days as adults. Female oriental cockroaches produce eight egg cases in a lifetime, each with 16 eggs. Upon mating, the female cockroach carries the eggs for one day and 6 hours before dropping them at a safe and secure place. 

Cockroach eggs hatch after two months. Oriental cockroaches have an attraction to damp areas such as drains and sewers. Also, they’ll live near water sources, particularly moist areas from faulty pipes, leaking fixtures, etc. Females are longer than males by a quarter inch. Generally, oriental cockroaches are slower and smaller than other species, such as the American species.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches

An adult Smoky brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa) has a length of 1.5 inches. These cockroaches are strong fliers with wings stretching over their bodies. Smoky brown cockroaches have a mahogany, deep dark brown, almost black hue. Nymphs have a similar color pattern to the parents, but in their early stages, they have white-like colored stripes on their thorax and antennae tips. 

They’re most likely found in leaves, litter, and mulch. Their color plays well into their camouflage against predators. Smoky brown cockroaches are prone to wooded areas and might be seen in tree holes. Usually, they’ll live in areas with high humidity and warmth.

They’re nocturnal, hide from humans most of the day, and only come out to feed at night. Unlike most species discussed above, smoky brown cockroaches prefer non-dwelling areas such as shacks, gardens, tree cavities, greenhouses, gutters, etc. If they enter your house, they’ll be in the attic for reproduction. They can eat any of the following: feces, starches, meat, sweets, dead insects, etc. Both adults, male and female, live an average of 218 days.

Interesting Facts About Cockroaches

The german cockroach (Blatella germanica)

Over 4,600 species of cockroaches inhabit our planet, with 70 found in the typical home.

©Erik Karits/Shutterstock.com

To help you understand cockroaches better, we’ve compiled these ten interesting facts

  1. Over 4,600 species of cockroaches inhabit our planet, with 70 found in the typical home. In the United States alone, 46 varieties are present; however, the four most common include American, German, Brown-banded, and Oriental types.
  1. Cockroaches have existed since the time of dinosaurs, a truth uncovered through scientific studies that found evidence in caves dating back 66 million years – long before their extinction.
  1. With their three pairs of legs, flattened bodies, and dark hues ranging from reddish brown to black, cockroaches are designed to survive in just about any environment. These resilient pests can be found on every continent except Antarctica! 
  1. Cockroaches can survive for up to seven days without their heads. Because of their open circulatory system and tiny breathing holes distributed throughout its body, a severed head is not necessary for these resilient creatures. The only thing that prevents them from living longer than one week is the inability to consume water without a mouth – truly remarkable!
  1. Roaches boast an impressive ability to hold their breath underwater for up to 40 minutes, aiding them in the process of regulating water loss from their bodies.
  1. Impressive as it may be, cockroaches’ ability to run three miles per hour indicates that they will spread disease throughout your home at an alarming speed.
  1. On average, adult cockroaches can live up to 206 days. The German nymphs take 36 days to reach full maturity and be able to start terrorizing your home – they can run just as fast as their parents! Furthermore, even though typical baby cockroaches are the size of a speck, it doesn’t make them any easier to track down.
  1. Scientists theorize that American cockroaches are irresistibly drawn to the hop and sugar in beer, as they have a demonstrated affinity for alcohol. Such an attraction could explain why these critters skitter around bars or pubs.
  1. Did you know that some of the world’s largest cockroaches can reach up to six inches long? These enormous insects are exclusive to South America and dwarf U.S. varieties like American Cockroaches, which only achieve a maximum size of two inches and are brown-banded at one inch!
  1. Cockroaches can last an entire month without food. Even without food, these resilient critters can withstand long durations due to their ectothermic nature. They cannot go without water for extended periods; cockroaches typically survive up to a week before succumbing to dehydration. These relentless pests frequently inhabit damp areas within homes like cellars, bathrooms, and kitchens. Existing insecticide treatments have proven largely ineffective against these persistent pests – making it a struggle to rid them from your property!

How To Prevent And Get Rid of Cockroaches

What Do Cockroaches Eat-pest control

A pest control contractor getting rid of an infestation of cockroaches.

©Elnur/Shutterstock.com

Prevention is the first line of defense regarding cockroach control. It starts with maintaining a clean home. Cockroaches thrive in filthy environments; for good measure, sweep, vacuum, and mop regularly. Secondly, please pay close attention to food prep and consumption areas since crumbs and food particles attract roaches

Remember to store food in air-tight containers and keep floors and countertops free of particles.

Next, fix any leaks and repair them promptly to eliminate stagnant water sources. Cockroaches like damp areas, so fixing leaky faucets and pipes is vital in infestation prevention. Seal entry points to prevent cockroaches from entering your home. Their flattened bodies can squeeze through small crevices and cracks. Consequently, sealing gaps in windows, doors, and walls will keep cockroaches out! 

If you have a cockroach infestation, there are various treatment options available. You can use sticky traps or baits that effectively capture and kill roaches. Strategically place the traps and baits where cockroaches are most active such as the bathroom, basement, and kitchen. You can also use insecticides to get rid of cockroaches in your home. 

However, you need to follow all the instructions for maximum effect. In severe cases, contacting a professional pest control company may be necessary to treat your home. The experts have specialized tools and expertise to eliminate cockroaches safely and effectively.

Be Ready For Cockroach Season In South Carolina

With South Carolina’s warm climate persisting all year round, it offers perfect conditions for cockroach infestations. But by being proactive and understanding how to prevent or fix an invasion quickly, you can be sure to stay ahead of any potential problems before they arise. Read on for expert advice on combating a cockroach crisis! From optimizing your home hygiene habits to taking precautionary measures outside – regardless of whether there are only a few cooler months in SC – these tips will give you insights on how best to prepare for any potential pest problems.

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


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