Cockroaches are notorious for their resilience and unwelcome presence in homes, but when it comes to their ability to fly, many people are left with one burning question: can cockroaches actually take to the skies? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. While not all cockroaches are strong fliers, some species are fully equipped with wings and can glide or fly short distances.
In this blog, we’ll explore five types of cockroaches that can fly, explaining their unique abilities and how to identify them. Whether you’re dealing with an infestation or just curious about these annoying insects, you’ll find all the details you need right here!
Do Cockroaches Fly?
While all cockroach species have wings, not all of them fly. In fact, most cockroaches don’t fly, and those that can only do it if the heat or colder conditions call for it. Several types of cockroaches fly short distances, while others use their wings to glide across surfaces. Cockroaches are cold-blooded, like other insects, which means their body temperatures aren’t internally regulated, and they depend on their environment for warmth. Cockroaches often prefer to live in temperatures of 75–85℉. Certain cockroach species will fly when temperatures exceed that, seeking cooler spaces to save energy.
Since cockroaches are much larger than other insects, it is difficult for them to fly at high speeds and maneuver easily. Large, slow-flying insects are quick prey for birds or bats, so most cockroaches stick to scuttling across surfaces—and their legs carry them far distances at rapid speeds. Cockroaches are some of the fastest-running insects and can cover several feet in a few seconds.
Two types of cockroaches, the German and Oriental, are widespread household pests in North America but don’t fly. Adult German roaches are light brown or tan with two black stripes on the pronotum behind their heads. Oriental roaches, on the other hand, are about an inch long and dark brown to black with a glossy sheen. If you see these insects in your home, don’t worry about them flying; they can quickly scurry across the floor.
5 Types of Flying Cockroaches
Here are the 5 most common types of flying cockroaches you’ll encounter in the United States:
1. Wood Cockroaches
Male wood cockroaches can fly, but females do not. Wood roaches are adept flyers with fully developed wings. They’re most active during mating season in May and June, traveling in significant numbers across North America.
Habitat: Wood cockroaches live across the United States, especially in eastern and central regions. They’re usually found in moist, decaying areas like leaf litter, rotting wood, plant waste, or wood piles. Wood roaches mostly stick to the outdoors but sometimes can venture inside your home, finding shelter in basements, garages, and other moist areas.
Appearance: Wood roaches are light brown with a slightly flattened, oval-shaped body. They have long antennae and spiny legs, usually about ¾ to 1 ¼ inches long. Males have fully developed wings that cover the length of their abdomen, while females have shorter wing pads.
Behavior: Unlike other roach species, wood cockroaches are attracted to light and will fly towards it. Wood roaches are most active day and night and likely won’t hide when approached by people. Additionally, wood roaches don’t adapt well to indoor spaces. They’re more likely to enter your home on accident rather than intentionally.
2. Smokybrown Cockroaches
Adult smokybrown cockroaches can fly while nymphs or baby cockroaches cannot. With wings that extend past their bodies, smoky brown roaches are strong fliers, especially on warmer, humid nights. Like wood cockroaches, this roach is also attracted to light and will fly towards it.
Habitat: Smokybrown cockroaches live primarily in the Southeastern United States, like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and surrounding areas. They’ve also been found in parts of Southern California. These larger roaches are attracted to warm, humid places, mainly wooded areas where they can hide under mulch or in tree holes. Smokybrown roaches are prone to dehydration, so finding a moist space to call home is essential for survival. They prefer non-dwelling areas like greenhouses and gardens but can occasionally be found indoors. If inside, they’ll most likely be in the attic, where breeding often occurs unnoticed.
Appearance: Adult smokybrown roaches can grow up to 1 ¼ inches long with large wings that grow past their body. These cockroaches are shiny, mahogany or black, and have a hard, flat body to fit through cracks. Nymphs have a white stripe on their thorax and antennae tips.
Behavior: Smoky brown cockroaches are most active at night and hide in small, dark spaces during the day. They may venture indoors in search of food or shelter and usually hang out around well-lit areas. Both female and male smoky brown roaches can fly and use their wings often in humid regions. These pests need consistent sources of moisture as they can lose moisture twice as fast as other cockroaches.
3. Asian Cockroaches
Asian cockroaches can fly up to 120 feet at a time and use their wings when disturbed or moving towards light sources. They’re usually found in the Southeastern United States, in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas.
Habitat: Asian cockroaches usually live outdoors, gravitating toward most areas like mulch or compost. They’re especially common in gardens or other grassy spaces. Large shaded areas with leaf litter are prime places for these roaches to call home. While they don’t usually travel into homes or businesses, if they do, you’ll probably spot them on TV screens, lampshades, or flying to different light sources.
Appearance: Adult Asian cockroaches can appear identical to German roaches. These insects can grow up to ⅝ an inch long and are tan to dark brown, featuring dark stripes behind their heads. Their long, narrow wings extend beyond their body, helping them cover long distances.
Behavior: Once they’ve found a solid location, Asian cockroaches take over. There have been reports of 30,000–250,000 of this species of roach per acre in prime areas. They’re most active at dusk and fly towards homes with lights on. Asian roaches are attracted to light colors and shaded spaces. They’ll eat almost anything they can find, from pet food to waste matter.
4. American Cockroaches
American cockroaches can fly but aren’t very adept fliers. They usually fly shorter distances or tend to glide if they start from a high place. They’ll likely use their strong legs to run when frightened or searching for food. American roaches are found throughout the United States, especially in warm, damp environments and temperatures reaching 70–80℉.
Habitat: American roaches prefer being indoors, usually in warm, damp areas. These pests congregate in restaurants, grocery stores, home kitchens, and other food preparation areas. When outside, American cockroaches are found in sewers or drains. In fact, this type of roach is the most common species found in city sewer systems.
Appearance: American cockroaches are reddish brown and typically 1.4–2.1 inches long but can be larger. Both males and females have wings that extend past their abdomen. They also have a pale brown or yellow band around their pronotum and two long antennae that protrude from their head. American cockroach poop is dark, cylindrical, and has ridges along the side.
Behavior: These pests are most active at night and hide away from people most of the time. American roaches are especially fond of fermented foods like those in the garbage or compost pile. While they can fly, American cockroaches don’t often use their wings and instead jump or scurry quickly using their strong legs.
5. Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded flying cockroaches are found mainly in the Midwest, Southern, and Northeastern regions of the United States. Males fly when disturbed or searching for food, while females do not.
Habitat: Brown-banded cockroaches are generally found indoors, occupying warm parts of homes and businesses. When inside, these pests are usually attracted to dry interior spaces where temperatures peak at around 80℉. They’re often located near the ceiling and away from water sources. Brown-banded cockroaches are typically found in the upper portions of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, hot water tank closets, behind pictures and wallpaper, near furniture and electronics, beneath tables and chairs, and in bedrooms.
Appearance: Adults are about ½ inch long, with light brown or dark brown coloring and two brown bands across their oval-shaped bodies. Brown-banded cockroaches have six legs and two antennae. Males have fully developed wings, while females have underdeveloped ones. Females are also shorter and stouter than male brown-banded roaches.
Behavior: Brown-banded cockroaches are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day unless looking for food. They prefer hidden areas away from people. These pests are great climbers and are often spotted away from the floor in closets or heat-generating appliances. Brown-banded roaches eat various types of food, including human food, dyes, glue, books, stamps, and clothing. Adult males fly occasionally if startled or disturbed, but females do not fly.
3 FAQs About Flying Cockroaches
1. Is a flying cockroach harmful?
Flying cockroaches aren’t dangerous if they’re gliding or flying towards you. They don’t usually bite or cause any direct harm to people. However, cockroaches can carry diseases that can contaminate anything they touch or walk across, possibly spreading salmonella or E. Coli to people. If you’ve seen cockroaches at your home or business, hiring professionals to eliminate them is best to protect you from dangerous potential contamination.
2. What scent do flying roaches hate?
Citronella is a natural way to deter cockroaches and other insects like flies and mosquitoes. Burn citronella candles near outdoor spaces to keep flying cockroaches away, or you could grow citronella plants to ward off these pests.
3. Why am I seeing flying cockroaches?
You’re probably seeing flying cockroaches because they feel scared, seek out food or shelter, or are attracted to warm areas on your property. Flying cockroaches are often spotted near heaters or food preparation areas, leaky pipes, bathrooms, or other dark, warm spaces. High temperatures trigger their flight response, so you’ll probably find flying cockroaches nearby if you live in a warm area.
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