Published 2026-10-26 · Waxahachie pest guide
Small, tan roaches in the kitchen are usually German and breed indoors. Large reddish ones are usually American and come in from outside.
German cockroach
About half an inch long, tan with two dark stripes behind the head. They live in kitchens and bathrooms, near warmth and water, and multiply fast. They arrive in grocery bags, boxes and used appliances.
American cockroach
Over an inch, reddish-brown, and able to fly short distances in heat. They live in drains, crawlspaces and yards and wander indoors, especially after rain.
Why it matters
German cockroaches need indoor baiting and follow-up visits. American cockroaches call for sealing gaps and treating the perimeter and drains. See cockroach extermination.
Questions
Do roaches mean my house is dirty?
Not always. German roaches can arrive in packages; American roaches wander in from outside.
