When Is Cockroach Season in Texas?

Written by Doug Shaffer
Updated: June 4, 2023
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For many people in Texas, seeing a cockroach causes screams or looks of horror and disgust. However, these little insects play a vital role in the ecosystem around our home as a food source for many organisms. They are also a significant factor in nutrient cycling, including decomposing dead organic material. 

Even though cockroaches serve an essential role in the environment, few people welcome them in their homes. Therefore, it’s important to understand what types of cockroaches you’re potentially battling and when they’re most active to help prevent the bugs from entering.

The following guide will offer a closer look at the different types of cockroach species throughout Texas and the seasons they’re most likely to find their way into your house. 

Are Texas Cockroaches More Active in the Summer or Winter?

Even though Texas cockroaches are more active during the spring and summer months, there’s a chance you could see them all year round. Most cockroaches prefer warm temperatures and thrive when the humidity increases, making them more prevalent when the weather starts to turn in March or April. 

However, since Texas has mild winters, there isn’t a huge decline in the cockroach population during the colder months. Generally, preparing against a cockroach infestation all year round is best. 

What Types of Cockroaches Live in Texas?

Texas is known for having one of the largest cockroach populations in Texas, with over 30 different species calling the state home. However, you’re most likely to encounter five types of cockroaches in your house or around the property. Here’s a look at these indoor and outdoor roach species in Texas.

Indoor Texas Cockroach Species

There are many indoor cockroach species, but the two most common throughout Texas are the German and brown-banded. These roaches tend only to thrive when close to human dwellings and aren’t as common in the wild. 

German Cockroach

Without question, if you see a cockroach in your home, it’s most likely a German cockroach. The German cockroach has the largest roach population out of all the species in Texas.

Since these bugs are closely associated with humans, it’s common to find them in just about every type of building — houses, hospitals, restaurants, and hotels. Unfortunately, German cockroaches often contaminate human food and spread diseases that can be extremely harmful to humans. 

If you notice cockroaches in your home, you’ll want to call a professional immediately. 

German Cockroach

The cockroach can also go by the name Palmetto bug or wood roach.

©7th Son Studio/Shutterstock.com

Brown-Banded Cockroach

Like the German cockroach, the Brown-Banded cockroach is another type of roach living close to humans. However, while German roaches are more likely to be found on the floor or under objects on the ground, the Brown-Banded cockroach prefers high areas within homes. 

If you see a cockroach behind a picture frame or on the ceiling, it’s probably a Brown-Banded cockroach.

๋Juvenile brown banded cockroach isolated on white floor.

Brown-Banded cockroaches prefer to stay in high areas of the home.

©Chumrit Tejasen/Shutterstock.com

Outdoor Texas Cockroach Species

The odds of running into an outdoor cockroach are less likely than one of the indoor species. However, it is important to know which roaches to look for and what they could mean for your property. 

American Cockroach

The American cockroach is the largest species and can reach lengths of over 1.5 inches out of all the common ones. These reddish-brown roaches love moist areas and often show up in sewer systems. 

Even though American cockroaches are considered an outdoor species, they sometimes venture inside and infest basements or food preparation areas of the home. 

American cockroach crawling

The American cockroach is the largest roach species, reaching over 1.5 inches long.

©iStock.com/ViniSouza128

Smokybrown Cockroach

The Smokybrown cockroach’s distinguished mahogany color makes it easily identifiable. It’s also one of the strongest fliers on the list and often flies from location to location, looking for a new food source. 

The Smokybrown cockroach is susceptible to dehydration and is forced to stay in warm areas with moisture or regions with high humidity. It’s common to find these cockroaches throughout forests or in wooded areas, hiding beneath leaves and hollowed logs.

Smokybrown cockroaches caught in a highly adhesive trap.

Smokybrown cockroaches feature a distinguishing mahogany color.

©iStock.com/Yusuke Ide

Oriental Cockroach

The Oriental cockroach stands out from the other roaches on the list in color and smell. These large cockroaches often have a dark brown or black appearance, making them easy to identify. They also have a very pungent, musty smell that signifies their presence in an area. 

While most Oriental cockroaches tend to stay outdoors and live under leaves, mulch, or bushes, they have been known to gravitate toward water sources and can make their way inside infesting basements, pipes, and drains.

Black Cockroach - Oriental Cockroach

Oriental cockroaches have a dark outer shell and a pungent, musty smell.

©iStock.com/Weber

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


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