Ever Mistaken Another Insect for a co*ckroach? These 7 Bugs Are Easy to Mix Up (2024)

co*ckroaches are common household pests. While they are notoriously unwelcomed guests, several other insects share similar features. It is easy to be confused, as their doppelgangers are equally unpleasant. Yet, to get rid of them for good, proper identification is critical to exterminate any infestations. There are some of the most common bugs that look like co*ckroaches but actually aren't. Here’s how to differentiate them and keep your home pest-free.

What Do Roaches Look Like

Roaches are oval-shaped insects with flat, low-lying bodies. Their six legs are fast-moving. They have wings and two long antennae. Roaches are black, brown, and reddish-brown, and their size ranges from half an inch to almost two inches long.

Their bodies can look shiny, and their wings fold tightly against their backs. There are many types of co*ckroaches, but the most common include the German, American, Oriental, Brown-banded, Smoky Brown, and Wood roaches.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

7 Bugs That Look Like co*ckroaches

Water bugs

“Water bug” is a term often used to describe many types of insects, including water striders, water boatmen, and water scorpions. Water bugs are typically brown or grayish and about 2 inches long. Giant water bugs are easily confused with co*ckroaches. However, true water bugs are their own species.

Mixing them up is easy because they share a similar size and coloring as co*ckroaches. In some regions, oriental and smoky brown co*ckroaches are often mistaken for water bugs.

While roaches and water bugs are dark brown, water bugs have powerful front legs adapted for swimming. Water bugs fly and do not have antennae. Water bugs have pincers to catch prey, like mosquito larvae and small aquatic animals.

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Sometimes confused with co*ckroaches, this beetle variety has a distinct look. The coloring is black with irregular white spots. Their extremely long antennae curl back and appear to encircle the body completely. With its shiny black body and long antennae, the Asian longhorned beetle resembles a co*ckroach at first glance.

However, unlike co*ckroaches, these beetles have distinct spots on their bodies and long, banded antennae. They are often found in hardwood trees and occasionally make their way indoors, particularly in firewood or wooden furniture.

Ground Beetles

Ground beetles are fast-moving insects with a flat, oval shape. Like roaches, ground beetles have similar dark brown or black coloration. There are more than 2,000 kinds of ground beetles.

The key differentiator is that beetles have a more elongated body shape than co*ckroaches and often have ridges or grooves. Also, these beetles have highly developed wings, so they are better flyers than flying co*ckroach species.

Ground beetles hide their wings under a protective shield, while roaches don't. Beetles thrive outdoors in gardens, under rocks, or in leaf litter. While they may occasionally wander indoors, they do not infest homes like co*ckroaches.

June bugs

Adult June bugs are about ½ inch long. Their colors vary from yellow to dark brown. They are both nocturnal insects that invade homes. Both species can be pests when they enter residential spaces, seeking food and shelter during the night.

However, they differ significantly in appearance, behavior, and habitats. co*ckroaches typically have flattened bodies with long antennae.

By contrast, jJune bugs have an oval-shaped body, reddish-brown color, and long antennae. Also, June bugs are attracted to light, but co*ckroaches are more secretive and tend to avoid light sources.

Crickets

Both insects’ color ranges from brown to black. They also both have elongated antennae, but that is where the similarity ends. Crickets prefer the great outdoors, and they are found near water sources. Crickets typically do not infest a home like roaches.

Crickets jump and their hind legs are adapted to jumping. Male crickets make distinctive chirping noises to attract females, while roaches are silent creepers.

While a roach’s six legs are the same size, the cricket has longer hind legs. If you see crickets in your home, check for leaky faucets or pipes, which might be their access point.

Bed Bugs

Bedbugs are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, with a segmented body. They are easily mistaken for co*ckroach nymphs, especially baby German co*ckroaches, because they are reddish-brown and wingless.

However, roaches scavenge and eat just about anything. By contrast, bedbugs feed on blood. Finding blood on sheets, insect droppings, or small insect eggs are signs you have bedbugs, not co*ckroaches.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

These shield-shaped bugs can resemble certain co*ckroach species, especially when seen from a distance. Stink bugs are typically brown or black.

The key difference between these bugs and roaches is that stink bugs secrete foul-smelling liquid when threatened or disturbed, and roaches don't. Also, stink bugs have distinctive marbled brown coloring and shield-like shapes.

While stink bugs primarily feed on plants, they may seek shelter inside during the colder months, often congregating in attics, wall cracks, or other unused areas.

Encountering bugs that resemble co*ckroaches can be alarming, but not all creepy crawlies are cause for concern. Remember to practice good sanitation, seal entry points, and promptly remedy any signs of an infestation.

If you're unsure about the type of bug you've encountered, consider consulting a pest control professional for proper identification and treatment.