The cockroach is one of the bugs that is hated everywhere in the world. It would be very difficult to find anyone that wants to think of these creepy-crawlies making their way into the home. However, understanding the pest you are dealing with and how to prevent it can be a huge help. Here are the most common types of cockroaches you may see.

- American Cockroach: If the brown banded cockroach is the smallest of the types you may deal with, the American cockroach is the largest. They are usually about 50 centimeters in length, and they tend to be reddish brown in nature. You will notice a yellow band just behind their heads. The nymphs, though, don't have the band, and they are more gray than brown. Sometimes called a water bug, they are actually attracted to alcoholic beverages. While some cockroaches move slowly, this variety moves very quickly. Flip on the lights in the kitchen one evening, and you will see them all scurry away in a hurry. In fact, they can move up to fifty body lengths per second.

- Brown-Banded Cockroach: Easily the smallest of the cockroaches, do not let the size of this one fool you. It can reach just 14.5 millimeters in length, but they're just as invasive and problematic as many of the other types out there. They tend to be light brown in nature, and they are sometimes confused with the German cockroach. They will place their eggs in furniture, and they don't need quite as much moisture as many of the other types out there.

- German Cockroach: These are actually one of the most well-known types of cockroaches indoors. They're dispersed throughout the United States and the world, and once they're in, you're likely to see a very heavy infestation of them. They tend to be light brown in color, but they have two horizontal stripes running down their backs. The youngest ones are almost completely black in color. They have a horribly musty odor and can transmit lots of different diseases. What's more, though, is that they can irritate asthma conditions in children and the elderly.

- Oriental Cockroach: Usually black or dark red, these little guys are the sluggish ones of the bunch. They have a ferocious odor, and they usually get in thanks to gaps in the siding, slightly wider utility pipe openings, or through an open drain. They're mostly an outdoor species, and they love nothing more than to feed on garbage. They can go a full month without food, but they can't go more than two weeks without water.

No matter which type of cockroach you may be facing, contacting Bloomington or Granger pest control professionals is an absolute must. That can of DIY spray you can grab at the hardware store is only going to mask the problem. Contact a professional cockroach exterminator in your area for help now.