The American cockroach is the largest of the house-infesting roaches and a major pest in the United States. It’s also commonly known as the water bug, the Bombay canary or the palmetto bug. Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America. Some evidence suggested that American cockroaches were introduced via ships from Africa in the early 1600s.

Brown-banded cockroaches are a small specie of invasive cockroaches. These pests get their name from the two light brown bands they have across their dark brownish bodies. These bands can be seen across the wings of the adult but are even more prominent across the body of the nymph. This cockroach species entered the United States in 1903, traveling from Cuba into Florida, and are now commonly seen throughout the US.

Believed to be of African origin despite its name, the oriental cockroach is one of the larger species of cockroach. These cockroaches are sometimes referred to as “waterbugs” because they hang out in damp areas, as well as “black beetle cockroaches” because of their smooth, dark bodies. Oriental cockroaches gain entry into households by going under doors and through gaps beneath siding, as well as following pipes, sewers and drains into a structure.