Cockroaches are a common sight in Honolulu. There are 19 species of roaches in Hawaii, and they are often seen clustered on the outside of buildings, or crawling across walls and counters inside homes.

Is your house infested with cockroaches? Or perhaps you’re hoping to prevent an infestation? Kindly, read on to learn more about these nasty insects.

What types of cockroaches are found in Honolulu?

Learn more about some of the most common roaches in Hawaii.

American Cockroach

The American cockroach is the most common type of cockroach you’ll see in Honolulu and throughout Hawaii. The American cockroach is a brown, winged insect with long antennae. Its body can grow up to two inches long.

They prefer warm, humid conditions and will often enter homes during periods of colder weather. They are sometimes found hiding out in basements, in cracked walls and foundations.

German Cockroach

German cockroaches are much smaller than their American cousins, usually around half an inch long. They may also be a lighter shade of brown or tan. They are easily recognizable by dark parallel stripes extending down their back.

The presence of food and water attracts these roaches. They often gather in restaurants and hotels. Because they cannot tolerate cold temperatures, they will escape into any dwelling available during the winter months.

Surinam Cockroach

Surinam cockroaches have oblong, rounded bodies that grow close to an inch in length. They are usually dark brown or black. Surinam cockroaches are known for burrowing into the soil and are sometimes inadvertently brought into the home through potted house plants.

How can I tell if there is a roach infestation in my home?

If you frequently come across cockroaches in your home, you may wonder if you have an infestation. Seeing many roaches is a cause for concern, but keep in mind that most roaches try to avoid human interaction. Unless you have a severe infestation, they tend to stick to cracks and crevices, in corners and under cabinets, usually only making an appearance at night.

One common sign that you may have a roach problem is seeing a lot of cockroach droppings in your home. Cockroach feces may appear similar to coffee grounds, and the more you see around your house, the more likely you are to have an infestation.

Cockroaches also produce a distinctive musty scent. The stronger the smell, the higher the likelihood that you’ve got many roaches hiding out around your house.

How can I keep cockroaches out of my home?

Keep your home clean and dry. Clean up standing water, fix leaky faucets, and dry up moist areas of your house. Wash dishes and take out the trash often. Vacuum and dust regularly. Cockroaches prefer messy, undisturbed areas, so be sure to clean cracks, crevices, and other out-of-sight areas such as basements and crawl spaces.
Put food away. Food that’s left out on counters, uncovered or in open packages, will attract cockroaches. Any foods left on tables and counters should be kept covered in sealed containers.
Use Borax to kill existing roaches. Cockroaches and other common house pests are attracted to the sugar in Borax. Once they eat it, the chemicals kill roaches from the inside out. Sprinkle Borax around in cracks and corners, as well as any place you see evidence of roaches in your home.

How can Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions get rid of the cockroaches in my home?

If you have a cockroach infestation, it is best to get them professionally removed. At Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions, our pest control experts will conduct a thorough inspection of the property to determine the extent of the infestation and the most effective means of removal.

Our goal is to not only remove any existing pests but to prevent further infestation. Call us or fill out the form on this page to get started.