Seeing a cockroach where you live (and eat) can be horrifying. Especially when you realize how well cockroaches hide from humans. If you’ve seen one, there are likely many more that have successfully remained hidden.

So once you have spotted one of these undesired houseguests, what do you do? It helps if you can identify the species and take swift action—whether that be calling an exterminator, or doing it yourself. Either way, you aren’t alone!

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Arkansas cockroaches 101

Cockroaches are known for their ability to thrive, especially in warmer climates. So if you live in Arkansas, plan on at least a couple of sightings in your lifetime. That said, just because there are roaches in the state, does not mean you are obligated to share your home with them.

Cockroach species are different in the way they breed, the climate they prefer, their appearance, and their ability to fly. Identifying the species you are dealing with is a great first step in solving your problem. Arkansas is home to several varieties of cockroach, and while there isn’t an official list, here are the most common:

American cockroaches

American cockroaches are generally the biggest and most noticeable type of roach. They grow to a whopping 2 inches long, and while they don’t really fly, they do glide from higher to lower ground. American cockroaches can be recognized by the following attributes:

Shiny, reddish-brown wings, paler neck with two darker reddish-brown blotches in the center

Short wings, males’ wings extend beyond their abdomen

Brown-banded cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are the smallest cockroach species in Arkansas. They prefer a drier climate than other roaches, so they may infest different areas in your home—like attics, cupboards, and the areas behind appliances. Typically, brown-banded cockroaches have the following features:

Tan or light brown with two light-colored bands across the wings and abdomen

Males’ wings cover the abdomen and are more slender

Females are darker with shorter wings, and they have broader abdomens

Oriental cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are a major pest and a big problem for Arkansas homeowners. They are known to be disease carriers, often bringing bacteria as they travel throughout the house. They are only about an inch long, and can often be found in drains, damp leaf piles, and other areas with abundant moisture. These roaches can be recognized by their:

Shiny dark reddish-brown to blackish-brown.

Males’ wings cover three-fourths of their abdomen while females have short, almost non-existent wings.

German cockroaches

German cockroaches love living indoors in warm and moist environments, like in bathrooms and kitchens. While these cockroaches are tiny, they breed impressively quickly. Here is what to look for:

Males are tan or pale brown, with two dark streaks on their heads

They have a slender abdomen with a yellow underside

Females are darker brown, and their abdomens are wider

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A guide to cockroach identification

Still not sure which kind of cockroach you have in your house? Here’s a quick guide:

Type of roach	Average Length	Color	Does it fly?	Where to spot them
German cockroach	0.5"	Golden brown with dark stripes on back	Yes, but rarely	Inside homes, restaurants, grocery stores, anywhere food is stored or prepared
American cockroach	2"	Reddish-brown	Yes	Sewers, water meter boxes, storm drains, steam tunnels, farms, dairies, and zoos
Brown-banded cockroach	0.5"	Light to dark brown with light bands on back	Yes	Crevices near electrical appliances, behind artwork or photos on walls, in attics, or ceiling cracks
Oriental cockroach	1.25"	Black exoskeleton	No	Garages, basements, water meter boxes, and drains

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Even though cockroaches are common in Arkansas, there are a few other bugs who are often mistaken for them. If you see these guys, don’t panic:

Crickets: Crickets look similar to cockroaches, but they make noise instead of flying in silence, and they tend to hop instead of running or flying like roaches.

Beetles: Several beetle species look similar to cockroaches, but they have much shorter legs and antenna, and often have rounded backs.

Giant water bugs: These bugs look very similar to a roach, but they tend to stick to bodies of water—so if you’re near a lake, pond, or stream, you’re probably looking at a water bug. They also tend to be much wider than roaches.

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How to get rid of roaches in Arkansas

Now that you can identify them, let's take a look at how to get rid of roaches and keep them out of your Arkansas home for good.

The best way to take care of a roach problem is to never have one in the first place. You can prevent roaches from entering your house with some basic cleaning and maintenance practices.

Make sure that cracks, holes, and gaps around doors, windows, and electrical sockets are all sealed as soon as you see them.

Keep your home and yard free of food, garbage, and debris that can provide food, water, or shelter.

If despite your best efforts, you still discover roaches in your home, there are some tried and true natural roach killers out there, and some baits and poisons specifically developed for the same reason.

Five natural roach killers

Boric acid: Straight boric acid contains boron, hydrogen, and oxygen. It naturally occurs in volcanic areas and dried-out salt water beds. When mixed with sugar, roaches eat it and it attacks their nervous and digestive systems, which kills them fairly quickly.

Borax, which can be easier to find, contains boric acid. Whichever one you use, just mix it with a little powdered sugar and sprinkle it where roaches may travel.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): DE is made of ground-up shells—when roaches walk through it, it clings to their legs and body, damaging their exoskeleton. Ultimately, it will cause the roach to dehydrate and die.

Baking soda: Baking soda acts in the same way as boric acid—it is slightly less potent, but also kid and animal-safe. Just mix it with sugar and sprinkle it where roaches may be looking for food.

Citrus/Essential oils: Citrus (especially lemon) and essential oils like rosemary, mint, yarrow, and eucalyptus may not kill roaches, but they have been shown to deter them. Using these scents in cleaning products can help with your problem.

Chemical roach killers—and when to hire an exterminator

Several chemical options are designed for the specific task of killing roaches. Many of these can be purchased over the counter, but it may be time to call in a professional if you can’t figure out where the roaches are nesting—or if you have tried to get rid of them on your own and are still seeing living bugs.

Professionals will know how to time treatments so that any egg cases that hatch will not be allowed to grow old enough to start reproducing. Here are some chemical options:

Glue traps: Glue traps or roach motels lure roaches in with a sweet scent, and then trap them inside by literally sticking them to the surface of the trap. Glue traps need to be placed where roaches travel and need to be replaced often. They may be less discreet than other options.

Gel Baits: Gel baits are often used by professionals. They contain chemical poisons that roaches ingest, and then return to their nest and die. Because roaches eat their dead, other roaches feed on the carcass and they will die as well

Spray Foggers: Spray foggers, bug bombs, and even tenting and fumigating are on this list, but these tend to have poor results against cockroaches. Because they are great hiders, roaches often find a cover to protect them from spray foggers. And, well-hidden egg capsules will hatch after fumigation, adding to your problem.

Using chemical roach killers is effective, but it also comes with risks. Sprays and bug bombs can leave a residue behind that is toxic to pets and children, and prolonged exposure to these chemicals can have serious or deadly effects.

How to keep cockroaches from coming back

Cockroaches enter your house looking for food, water, and shelter. Restricting safe access to these items is the easiest way to prevent a cockroach infestation.

Here are some things you can do to help keep cockroaches from coming back:

Keep food sources sealed. This includes pet food, dry goods like rice and sugar, and anything else that can be easily accessed. Tightly sealed storage containers are a must.

Clean everything. Even small amounts of food spillage are a feast for roaches. Clean spills, crumbs, and remnants left on appliances as soon as you see them.

Seal cracks and holes in walls, floors, and ceilings. This will help restrict access and eliminate hiding places.

Eliminate standing water in your home and yard. This may include fixing leaky pipes or slow drains.

Keep your yard free of debris like leaves and lawn clippings that retain moisture.

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How to find car and home insurance quotes online

How to save money on home and car insurance in Arkansas

As a homeowner, you’ve got your hands full, even without a cockroach infestation—but that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to find serious savings on your home and

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FAQs

Is it common to have roaches in Arkansas?

Roaches are common all over the United States, and Arkansas is no exception. Several types of roach can be found in Arkansas, including the American, German, Oriental, and Brown-banded.

What attracts roaches in Arkansas?

Roaches are looking for food, water, and shelter. Food isn’t just what we think of it—itcan encompass book bindings, garbage, paper, and many other items you might not think of. Eliminating access to food and water are great ways to discourage roaches from moving in with you.

Is there a roach season in Arkansas?

There is no roach season, per se. Roaches may attempt to come inside more often during cold or rainy weather, but because they thrive and breed year-round, no season is safe.

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