Arizona is located in the southwestern part of the US and has a highly variable altitude that makes the climate warm to freezing cold.
On the one hand, cities like Phoenix record ground-breaking warm temperatures, while Flagstaff is among the coldest cities.
This makes the presence of cockroaches in Arizona highly variable.
The number of Cockroaches in Arizona varies from place to place because of the highly variable temperature, with German cockroaches the most abundant, followed by American, Oriental, Brown Banded, and the Red Runner cockroaches.
Although not very common, Wood cockroaches accidentally infest homes located at high altitudes in Arizona.
Phoenix, Tucson, and Scottsdale have hot temperatures in summer with high humidity around monsoons.
Therefore in peak summers when it’s usually dry, the cockroaches in Arizona try to move indoors to avoid extreme heat.
This is the perfect time for the Arizona cockroach to live, breed, and thrive indoors.
Tired of cockroaches? Invest in only these products and follow the guide to eliminate roaches!
Use these products, and you will be roach free in less than a week.
1. Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (Review)
2. Gentrol IGR Point Source (Review)
Other Products to try:
1. Combat Roach Traps (Easy than gel baits)
2. Hot Shot Foggers (To kill in masses – 95%)
3. Pet Safe Killers (Uses Essential Oils)
4. Ortho Defence Outdoor Roach Killer (Prevent Roaches)
Are there Cockroaches in Arizona
Cockroaches are the sturdiest living creatures known to survive a number of environmental insults.
This makes cockroaches capable of living in almost every state of the US, from Arizona and Hawaii to Michigan.
However, it is essential to know that cockroaches do not like cold because they can’t maintain their body temperature and usually die below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Interestingly, the climate of Arizona is highly variable because of dramatic changes in the altitude from one place to another.
This makes some places less hospitable for roaches in Arizona, like Hawley Lake, which has an elevation of 2499 Meters. In addition, the temperature in winter can reach -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, cities in Arizona, including Yuma, Tucson, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, provide favorable temperatures throughout the year for roaches in Arizona to live and breed happily.
Around the monsoon, the humidity in many cities across Arizona rises considerably, favoring cockroaches to infest homes. This is the peak time when cockroaches in Arizona are most active.
Does killing a cockroach attract More? Read this interesting article to get your answers.
Types of cockroaches in Arizona
There are at least 80 to 90 types of cockroaches in the United States. Most of these cockroaches live in the wild and do not infest indoors.
For example, there are at least 12 types of cockroaches in Arizona; most of them do not infest houses.
However, the types of roaches in Arizona that infest homes are the same as those found in other states. These include,
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is among the most common Arizona cockroach. It is a small cockroach half an inch in size with dark strips on the back of the head. German roaches have two wings but do not make them capable of flight.
The German cockroach is mainly found indoors in Arizona, infesting homes, restaurants, and high-rise buildings.
The most commonly live in bedrooms, kitchens, and the basement.
Hotels in Arizona are the hotspot for German roaches because many tourists visit them each year and bring German roaches, their babies, and eggs along with them.
German cockroaches are among the most dangerous because they spread disease and trigger allergies.
After all, they visit sewerage more often and get back to houses. Moreover, German roaches reproduce very quickly and infest very heavily.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the second most common roach in Arizona but rarely infests homes.
Instead, the American cockroach is found mainly inside gutters and sheds to escape the heat of the desert and feed on feces and filth.
However, when conditions compel, the American Cockroach can infest homes in Arizona, especially in Sedona.
Interestingly, the American cockroaches are among the top 5 biggest cockroaches.
It measures 2 inches in size with a light brown and flat body. The American cockroach in Arizona has large flight-capable wings and reproduces quickly. They have a life span of up to 2 years.
Brown Banded Cockroach
Brown-banded cockroaches are different from German roaches because they have two noticeable lighter stripes across their back hence named brown banded.
They measure about ½ inch long, and the male roach has wings covering the whole abdomen.
However, the female Brown Banded cockroaches have tiny wings with no ability to fly.
Brown Banded cockroaches are common in Arizona but rarely infest homes. Instead, they infest restaurants and bars more commonly.
Oriental Cockroach
Interestingly, Oriental cockroaches are among the list of Arizona roaches found in moderate numbers. Although Oriental cockroaches are also known as the Waterbug or Black Bettle, they are different.
The Oriental cockroach is 0.71–1.14 inches large with a dark brown to the glossy black oval body. Interestingly, the female Oriental cockroaches resemble Florida Wood Cockroaches instead of males.
The male and female both have short wings, but none fly. Oriental Cockroaches live in dark and moist places near decaying organic matter, sewers, drains, damp basements, porches, and other damp locations.
Oriental cockroaches rarely infest indoors in Arizona but sometimes are seen in damp basements in hot cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Turkestan Cockroach
Turkestan cockroach is also known as the Red Runner cockroach and is a popular feeder roach for exotic pets, including geckos and lizard dragons.
Interestingly, Turkestan cockroaches are legal in the US, including Arizona, whereas other feeder roaches such as the Dubia roach are illegal in most states like Florida.
Though Turkistan roaches are native to areas between Northern Africa and Central Asia, Arizona’s weather and atmospheric conditions such as humidity have managed them to thrive.
Turkestan cockroaches are dark brown to black slender-shaped cockroaches measuring 1.2 inches in size. They have long wings, which make them good flyers.
Turkestan cockroach is an outdoor Arizona roach that rarely infests homes. However, people who breed Turkestan cockroaches in Arizona should be careful to confine them to boxes.
Otherwise, they can escape into your homes and might turn your place into a roach breeding hub.
When is the cockroach season in Arizona?
Cockroaches are cold-blooded organisms, so they can’t maintain their body temperature within limits. This is why cockroaches hate extreme heat and cold. Moreover, cockroaches do not hibernate.
Winters in Arizona start in November and reach a peak in mid of December. However, the cold stays up to the mid of February. On the other hand, summers in Arizona Start from May and stay till the end of August.
The peak cockroach season in Arizona starts in July and stays up until the mid of October. This is the time of wet summers when the temperature in Arizona stays most favorable for roaches to thrive, breed, and infest.
Cockroaches in Arizona keep infesting homes, restaurants, and apartments during the rest of the year. However, their population is low and is seen less often than during the peak cockroach months.
Preventing Roaches in Arizona
Arizona is gifted with a warm climate and sunshine that stays throughout the year. This is why the buildings and houses in Arizona are designed with many open spaces to allow fresh air to flow inside.
On one side, this adds beauty and a sense of attachment to nature but, on the other hand, allows several insects, including beetles, spiders, and cockroaches, to creep inside.
Therefore, you must adopt a few precautions to prevent roaches in Arizona from infesting indoors,
- Regularly clean the house with floor washing
- Cover the garbage bins sitting outside the house properly
- Cover the bathroom drains when not in use
- Fix any openings in electric boards
- Fix any door gaps or leaking pipes with masking tape
- Use mesh to cover windows and ventilators at night to prevent flying Arizona roaches from reaching inside.
- Avoid the use of too many lightings inside the yard and patio
- You can also use Natural Roach Repellents to keep roaches in Arizona at bay
- Use IGR spray to prevent baby Arizona roaches from transforming into adults.
Read this article Where do Roaches Hide? to learn more about where to apply repellents.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Arizona?
After you have successfully followed the guidelines on preventing the Arizona roach problem, it’s time to get rid of Arizona Cockroaches.
Follow these three simple methods to get rid of cockroaches in Arizona.
Method 1: Using a bait
This method uses bait to get rid of cockroaches inside your bathroom, cupboards, kitchen cabinets, and basement, all the favorite spots of German cockroaches. Baits are better than sprays as baits will kill the entire colony.
You can get your hand on many baits, but these are my favorite ones. Use each of them according to the instructions on the pack.
– Bengal Roach Killer is a dry spray bait, very easy to apply and use. (How to use guide)
– Advion Cockroach Gel Bait is the most effective gel you can buy.
– Hot Shot Liquid Cockroach Trapper and Killer is the best trap you can get for cockroaches.
– Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing Bait is the best bait out on the market.
Method 2: Using an IGR
Using an IGR helps ensure the roach nymphs don’t grow into adults. The German cockroach is a notoriously fast breeder, and cities such as Pheonix and Scottsdale offer an optimum temperature for them to reproduce throughout the year.
Therefore, using an IGR spray will keep roaches in check for you.
An IGR alters the internal hormones of roaches to molt. This way, the roaches will not become adults and fail to reproduce. Gentrol Growth Regulator (Amazon Link) is the only and the best IGR device for roaches.
It’s effortless to use. Just purge one of them and place it in a hidden place inside your bathroom.
Method 3: Insecticide Spray or Roach Bombs
Insecticide spray or roach bombs are quick solutions for getting rid of cockroaches in Arizona However, roach bombs kill roaches but do not destroy the eggs; hence, we usually start to see roaches again after a few weeks.
To get rid of Arizona cockroaches, you must seal all doors and windows, turn off ventilators or air conditioning and spray around all the corners and cockroach hiding places. Then, wait for 30 minutes before you ventilate the room.
Other methods such as using Diatomaceous Earth powder and Boric acid will also kill roaches in Arizona, but these methods are messy and difficult to use.
Additional Read!
