American Cockroach vs. German Cockroach — What’s the Difference

Quick Comparison: American Cockroach vs. German Cockroach

• American cockroaches are often called “palmetto bugs” or “water bugs”. 
• American cockroaches can fly. German cockroaches rarely fly.
• German roaches are ½ to ⅝ inch long, American roaches are 1 ½ to 2 inch long.
• German roaches are reclusive, American roaches explore more.
• German roaches have two stripes, American roaches have a figure-of-eight mark.

The Difference Between American Cockroaches and German Cockroaches

While they look similar, and they can both spread diseases, they have telltale differences. American cockroaches are larger and more adventurous and have different markings behind their heads compared to German cockroaches.

American Cockroach

• Appearance — 1 ½ to 2 inch oval, reddish-brown body, yellow figure-of-eight mark behind its head. 
• Habitat — prefers outdoors or dark, humid, low-level indoor spaces: sewers, basements, floor drains, laundry/ boiler rooms.
• Behavior — more adventurous explorers. Triggered to move by light/vibrations. Can fly.
• Risks — spreads diseases, causes allergy/asthma symptoms from shed skins, droppings, and saliva.

German Cockroach

• Appearance — ½ to ⅝ inch long, light brown/tan with two dark stripes behind the head
• Habitat — prefers indoors: warm, damp kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, and break rooms.
• Behavior — more reclusive; mainly emerges in darkness. Rarely flies, but runs fast.
• Risks — spreads bacteria from crawling through garbage; shed skins/ droppings cause allergy/ asthma symptoms.

Signs of an Infestation

You may smell a musty odor and spot shed skins, egg cases or droppings. German cockroach droppings look like black pepper or coffee grounds, American cockroach droppings are larger and more rounded.

Prevention tips

Seal all cracks and gaps in walls, baseboards, and around pipes. Keep kitchens and bathrooms dry and crumb-free with daily wipedowns and fixed leaky faucets. Store food/ pet supplies in airtight containers. Dispose of trash in sealed bins.