Asian Cockroach vs. German Cockroach Identification Tips

When it comes to discerning between Asian roaches and German roaches, it can be challenging. Here are some identification tips to differentiate between the two.

Asian Cockroach vs. German Cockroach Identification Tips
Asian Cockroach vs. German Cockroach Tips
Courtesy of David Schaedel

Editor's note: The following article was written by David Schaedel, digital marketing manager, Walker Pest Management, Greenville, S.C., on identifying Asian cockroaches vs. German cockroaches. 

Asian roaches are becoming an increasingly common pest across South Carolina. These pests are spreading into more areas and confusing pest technicians who have not dealt with them before. When it comes to discerning between Asian roaches and German roaches, it can be challenging. The physical appearance of Asian roaches is almost an exact match to German roaches. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to differentiate between the two.

What Are Asian Roaches and Where Are They From?

Asian roaches, as the name implies, are a species of cockroaches first identified in Asia. Later, in the 1980’s, they were discovered in Florida. Since their arrival here in the states, they have begun to spread across the country. They are particularly well-suited to humid and warm climates. This means the entire Southeast is an ideal environment for them to thrive. They continued to spread across the region year after year. While they are not new to South Carolina, the longer and warmer summers over the last few years have allowed them to spread across the state. They are now found throughout the Upstate and are no longer a rare sighting. These are quickly becoming a normal pest that our technicians are having to dealing with.

What Sets Asian Roaches Apart from German Roaches?

If you don’t know what to look for, distinguishing between German roaches and Asian roaches is nearly impossible. There are three main ways that these species can be distinguished. First, they are almost physically identical, but their lifestyle is completely different. German roaches are a domestic and cryptic pest that needs the warmth, food, and shelter that humans provide to survive. Unlike German roaches, Asian roaches prefer to live outdoors. The Asian roach is still a cryptic pest and prefers to live in sheltered areas such as leaf piles, mulched garden beds, or full gutters, but they will most commonly be found outside. Second, in addition to preferring the outdoors, they set themselves apart from their German counterparts by being able to fly. Third, while German roaches are known for scurrying away from bright lights, Asian roaches are attracted to light. In fact, one of the reasons that they are drawn to houses and are occasionally found inside is because they’re drawn to light.

How to Tell the Difference Between Asian and German Roaches!

As mentioned earlier physically distinguishing between these two species can be tricky due to their similar appearance. They are both small, measuring between 0.5-0.75 inches, and have light brown bodies with two parallel dark stripes running down their thorax. The easiest way to identify Asian roaches will be to check their behavior. If they are found thriving outside, they are Asian roaches. If they are flying in the yard and landing on windows or around lights, they are Asian roaches. If they do not scurry away from new or bright light sources, they are Asian roaches. Occasionally, Asian roaches are found inside, but their flight and lack of light sensitivity will be a sign.

What Can You Do to Help You Customers Handle Asian Roaches?

Thankfully, Asian roaches rarely infest a home like German roaches so the treatment should start outside. While there are a variety of chemical solutions, there are also a few other environmental aspects to consider. If your customer is struggling with an Asian roach infestation, make sure that they have cleaned up all conducive living areas near the home. This will include trimming back bushes, moving debris piles, reducing trash near the home, and cleaning out the gutters. Once those living places have been removed, it will be important to review the home and look for any points of entrance that the roaches may have used. If the customer is especially concerned, you can also recommend reducing outside light sources since that also attracts Asian roaches. When it comes to effectively dealing with an Asian roach issue, you will need to work with your customer to help mitigate areas which the roaches can thrive in.

Even if Asian roaches are not populous in your area yet, they continue to spread every year. So, if your customers call in about a German roach infestation in their yards, you will be better prepared to deal with their Asian roach problem!