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Cockroaches in Tennessee (Fear THESE ones!)

The state’s humid subtropical climate throughout the year is no less than heaven for cockroaches in Tennessee.

Moreover, with every passing year, the number of visitors visiting Tenessee and especially Nashville exceeds at an unprecedented rate bringing new varieties of cockroaches.

Therefore, the types of roaches in Tennessee are also increasing at an alarming rate.

Although there are many types of cockroaches in Tennessee, three of them are most common which includes German Cockroach, American Cockroach and Brown Banded cockroach. Oriental Roaches, the Australian cockroaches, and the Wood Roaches are abundant in Tennessee but they rarely infest indoor spaces.

The American cockroach is also known as Palmetto Bug.

Amoung these cockroaches, the German Cockroach and Brown Banded is highly infectious and will grow into large colonies over a short period of time. Its extremly hard to erdicate them.

From Nashville to East Ridge, cockroaches in Tennessee have adopted themself to live everywhere throughout the state. However, some roaches, such as wood cockroaches, are seen mainly in suburban parts of the state and the timberlands of Franklin.

However, the infamous German cockroach loves humid and warmer cities like Memphis.

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)

How common are roaches in Tennessee?

Tennessee’s wild hot temperature and humidity favor insects, including beetles, stink bugs, and cockroaches. However, an infestation with cockroaches in Tennessee is a major domestic problem.

Cockroaches in Tennessee were mainly introduced through road trade routes and the International Port of Memphis. Moreover, tourists across the US and other countries also introduced species of cockroaches to Tennessee.

However, a few cockroaches, such as the wood cockroach, are native to Tennessee but do not commonly infest homes.

Therefore, Cockroaches are very common in Tennessee and are seen infesting highrise buildings, apartments, homes, hotels, and restaurants.

Do you know where roaches hide? Read this article: Cockroach hiding places, to know more!

Types of roaches in Tennessee

Tennessee has at least 15 types of cockroaches, but only some of the cockroaches are found in abundance and can infest homes.

Here are the types of roaches found in Tennesse,

German Cockroach

The German cockroach is the most common Tennessee roach that infests indoor spaces. It measures 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 Tennessee, infesting houses, buildings, basements, and restaurants. Moreover, they also love to infest bedrooms and kitchens.

Hotels in Nashville and Memphis are the hotspot for German roaches because the tourists visit them each year and bring German roaches, their babies, and eggs.

German cockroaches spread disease and trigger allergies because they visit sewerage more often. Moreover, German roaches reproduce very quickly and infest very heavily.

American Cockroach

Besides wood cockroaches, this is among the few flying roaches in Tennessee and is the most common among other TN roaches. However, it rarely infests homes.

American cockroaches live inside gutters and sheds but can sometimes infest indoor spaces in Tennessee when the outside conditions compel them.

The American cockroach measures one and a half to 2 inches in size and has brown color with a flat body. It has flight-capable wings and reproduces quickly. The American cockroach has a life span of up to 2 years.

The American or the flying Tennessee cockroach flies towards bright light flashes or when feeling threatened.

Oriental cockroach

Interestingly, Oriental cockroaches are found in moderate numbers in Tennessee. It is 0.71–1.14 inches with a dark brown to the glossy black oval body.

Interestingly, the female Oriental cockroaches resemble Florida Wood Cockroaches more closely than males.

The male and female both have short wings, but none fly, excluding them from the group of flying roaches in Tennessee.

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 indoor spaces in Tennessee but sometimes in damp basements in hot and humid cities like Memphis.

Other types of roaches in Tennessee

Smokey Brown, Wood, Brown Banded, and the Australian cockroaches are also abundant in certain cities of Tennessee. However, these roaches mostly love to live outdoors and rarely infest indoors.

Therefore, these roaches do not impose a significant infestation problem in Tennessee. However, it doesn’t mean that these roaches will never infest indoors in Tennessee.

When unfavorable outside conditions, these roaches may move indoors and cause infestation, mostly during heat waves.

Preventing Cockroach infestation in Tennessee

The difficulty of preventing cockroaches in Tennesee is because the environment favors infestation throughout the year due to high humidity and temperature. Therefore, you must take extra precautions to prevent cockroach infestation.

To prevent roaches in Tennessee from infestation, follow these guidelines,

  1. Regularly pick up clutter and spilled food indoors and keep garbage covered.
  2. Cover bathroom drains when not in use, especially at night.
  3. Use Natural Repellents to keep roaches from entering the house or at restaurants
  4. Keep mothballs inside your luggage when traveling to Tennessee from other states or cities.
  5. Cover crevices and gaps in doors and windows with masking tape.
  6. Use mesh screens to prevent flying Tennesse roaches from flying inside.
  7. Use IGR spray or device inside the house. This prevents roaches from maturing into adult bugs.
  8. Keep lights dim on the patio and backyard to prevent Wood and Asian roaches from getting attracted.

Additional Read: Why Ultrasonic Pest Control Devices Does not Work on Roaches? 

Getting rid of Roaches in TN

After successfully preventing Tennesse cockroaches from entering indoors, it’s time to kill them.

Follow these three simple methods to get rid of cockroaches in Tennessee.

Step 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 that infest 90% of the homes in Tennessee.

Baits are better than sprays, as baits will kill the entire colony. Therefore, this is the perfect method to get rid of cockroaches in Tennessee.

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.

Step 2: Using an IGR

Using an IGR helps ensure the roach nymphs don’t grow into adults. The American cockroach is a notoriously fast breeder among roaches in Tennessee. Using an IGR spray will keep it in check for you.

An IGR alters the internal hormones of roaches to molt. This way, the roaches can not transform into adults and fail to reproduce. 

Gentrol Growth Regulator (Amazon Link) is the only and the best IGR device for roaches. It’s easy to use. Just purge one of them and place it in a hidden place inside your bathroom.

Step 3: Close all openings

The next step is closing all openings in your home; else, it will be impossible to stop an infestation. Use Loctite Foam Sealent (Amazon Link) to close gaps and openings like a pro.

Additional Method: Insecticide Spray or Roach Bombs

Insecticide spray or roach bombs are quick solutions for getting rid of cockroaches in Georgia. However, Insecticide spray kills roaches but does not destroy eggs; hence, we often start seeing roaches again after a few weeks.

To get rid of Tennessee cockroaches, 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.