The Florida woods cockroach is a large, wingless bug found in damp, outdoor areas of Florida. It doesn’t bite or infest like other roaches, but its foul odor and sudden appearances make it a pest you’ll want to keep far from your home.
If you’ve ever turned on the bathroom light late at night and spotted a massive, dark insect scuttling across the floor, your first thought might’ve been:
“Oh no, the house is infested”
But before panic sets in, let us help you identify the culprit. If it didn’t dart away at lightning speed and left behind a musky stench, chances are, you encountered a Florida woods cockroach, also known as a stinkroach or skunk roach.
Despite their alarming appearance and odor, these roaches are not the kitchen-invading, disease-spreading type that most people fear. In fact, they’re far less aggressive, slower, and much more misunderstood than their more infamous relatives. But that doesn’t mean you want them hanging around your home, especially when they bring an unmistakable odor with them.
Let’s clear up the myths, help you identify the signs, and show you how to keep these swamp-loving stinkers out of your space.
What Is a Florida Woods Cockroach?
The Florida woods cockroach, scientifically known as Eurycotis floridana, is one of the largest cockroach species native to the southeastern U.S. It measures between 1.2 to 1.6 inches in length and ranges in color from dark reddish-brown to nearly black. It has short, useless wings, which means it can’t fly, unlike the dreaded American cockroach.
Sometimes called the palmetto bug, skunk roach, or stinkroach, this insect earned its nicknames thanks to its ability to emit a powerful, foul-smelling spray when threatened. That defense spray can travel up to three feet and is packed with chemicals like E-2-hexenal, which can irritate human eyes and linger long after the bug is gone.
Despite their size and stink, these cockroaches are harmless to humans. They don’t bite, don’t sting, and aren’t known to transmit disease. That said, their sudden appearance can still be unsettling.
These roaches are also commonly confused with others, particularly the oriental cockroach, due to their similar size and dark coloring. However, one key difference is that the Florida woods cockroach has a broader, more oval body and lacks the slick, shiny look of oriental or American roaches.
Where Do Florida Woods Cockroaches Live?
These cockroaches are at home in Florida’s warm, damp outdoor environments. You’ll often find them tucked into palmetto trees, leaf litter, compost piles, woodpiles, or decaying logs. They thrive in areas with high humidity and lots of organic material to feed on, such as mold, moss, and decomposing plants.
Their distribution spans from coastal Florida across the Gulf Coast and even into parts of the Caribbean. But they can’t survive cold climates, which keeps them localized to subtropical and tropical zones.
While they prefer the outdoors, they sometimes find their way inside, especially after heavy rain, yard work, or during the wet season when their outdoor habitats are disturbed. Common entry points include:
Cracks around doors or windows
Gaps in siding or stucco
Dryer vents and AC lines
Unsealed plumbing openings
Crawl spaces with excess moisture
Homeowners often report seeing them after landscaping projects or storm cleanup, when the bugs’ natural hiding spots have been disrupted. These sightings also spike in homes near nature preserves, wooded lots, or undeveloped land.
What Makes Them Different From Other Roaches?
Not all cockroaches are created equal, and the Florida woods cockroach is a perfect example of that. Unlike the fast, winged, pantry-invading species we usually get called about, this one marches to the beat of its own drum.
For starters, it’s slower and less agile than its cousins, like the American or German cockroach. It prefers outdoor environments and rarely infests kitchens, pantries, or other food-prep areas unless it’s brought in accidentally through firewood or potted plants.
Its lack of wings also sets it apart. While American cockroaches can glide short distances, the Florida woods roach is grounded, which is good news for anyone who’s terrified of flying bugs inside their home.
Its defense mechanism is another unique trait. The foul-smelling spray it emits is not just a deterrent, it’s a full-blown chemical arsenal. This spray begins accumulating about 60 days after the insect molts into adulthood and is potent enough to irritate human eyes and repel small predators, like mice.
And while many people confuse it with the oriental cockroach due to size and color, a trained eye can spot the difference: the Florida woods cockroach has a more rounded body, a more matte appearance, and behaves far less erratically.
Are You Attracting Them Without Realizing It?
Florida woods cockroaches are drawn to:
Mulch beds pushed up against siding
Compost piles or garden waste
Damp crawlspaces or shaded corners near AC drainage
Stacked firewood stored too close to the house
Bright outdoor lighting, especially white or blue-toned LEDs
Pet food left outside overnight
Switching to yellow outdoor bulbs or motion sensor lighting can make a big difference. So can clearing leaves and debris from the base of your home. Remember: they don’t want to be inside, they just wander in when the outside gets uncomfortable.
We’ve also noticed an uptick in sightings after garbage pickup days. If you live near a wooded area, the combination of vibrations, odors, and disturbed mulch may draw them closer to your structure than usual.
Another misconception?
That they’re setting up shop in your attic. In reality, they may pass through or hide in attic insulation if moisture is present, but they’re not indoor breeders unless the environment mimics their natural habitat, which is rare in climate-controlled homes.
How to Get Rid of Florida Woods Cockroaches
Here’s how we recommend you tackle it:
Moisture Control
Fix leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and low-lying areas that collect water. These roaches can’t survive dehydration as well as other species.
Eliminate Harborage
Remove leaf litter, thick mulch, compost piles, and firewood stacked against the home.
Seal Entry Points
Use weatherproof caulk around doors, windows, and siding gaps. Install mesh screens over vents and crawlspace openings.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
Apply in dry, undisturbed areas like attics or garage corners to dehydrate and kill roaches naturally.
Vacuum Regularly
Focus on infrequently used areas like closets and attics. Always discard vacuum bags outside the home.
Avoid Ineffective Solutions
DIY foggers are nearly useless here, they don’t reach outdoor harborage areas where these roaches thrive.
Call the Pest Control
When in doubt, contact Hoffer Pest Solutions, we can apply targeted barrier treatments, use professional-grade gel baits, and identify hidden breeding areas you may have missed.
Why DIY Usually Isn’t Enough
We respect a good DIY effort, but when it comes to Florida woods cockroaches, most home remedies fall short. Here’s why:
They don’t live where you spray. These roaches nest outside, in mulch beds, tree stumps, and under leaf litter. Foggers and sprays inside the house won’t touch the problem.
They’re built to survive. Their thick exoskeleton and chemical defenses make them tough to kill with generic sprays or household baits.
Their odor outlasts the roach. Even if you succeed in killing one, you may be left with a lingering stench and invisible egg sacs nearby.
They don't play by indoor rules. Unlike German or American cockroaches, they don’t congregate near food sources or plumbing, making them harder to locate.
Our technicians know where these pests hide, how to treat their outdoor habitats, and which exclusion tactics work best for your home’s layout. We use pet-safe, family-friendly products that are proven effective for South Florida’s year-round pest pressure.
And since Florida woods cockroaches don’t follow seasonal schedules, our proactive prevention plans keep them from returning, no matter the month.
How Hoffer Pest Solutions Can Help
Hoffer Pest Solutions have been solving Florida’s most frustrating pest problems for over 40 years. We’re a local, family-run company that understands what it’s like to live with year-round pest pressure, and what it takes to fight back.
Our Florida woods cockroach control services include:
Comprehensive inspections to locate entry points, harborage zones, and attractants
Targeted barrier applications that keep roaches from entering your home
Moisture monitoring and structural exclusion to eliminate breeding conditions
Safe and effective baiting systems when physical removal is necessary
Ongoing prevention plans tailored to Florida’s unique pest challenges
We’re your neighbors. And when a giant stinkroach shows up uninvited, we treat your home the way we’d treat our own, with urgency, respect, and care.
We’ve helped thousands of South Florida homeowners reclaim their peace of mind. Let us do the same for you. Seen a stinky roach? Don’t guess, get an inspection from Hoffer Pest Solutions today.
When It Comes to Stinkroaches, You Deserve Peace of Mind
Living in Florida means sharing your environment with some unwelcome guests, but that doesn’t mean you have to share your home. The Florida woods cockroach may not be dangerous, but it’s disruptive, foul-smelling, and nearly impossible to keep out without the right strategy.
We have built our business and reputation on eliminating pests, and helping families feel safe, protect homes from long-term damage, and provide peace of mind in a state where pests never take a season off.
If you’ve spotted one of these large, wingless roaches, or just want to make sure you never do, we’re ready to help.
Call Hoffer Pest Solutions today to schedule your free inspection. Same-day service is available, and our team of local technicians knows exactly how to handle Florida’s toughest pests, so you don’t have to.
Let us help you protect what matters most, your home, your family, and your peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do Florida roaches bite?
No. Florida woods cockroaches do not bite, sting, or spread disease. While their size and appearance may be alarming, they pose no direct harm to humans or pets beyond the irritation caused by their defensive spray.
Why am I seeing Florida woods cockroaches during the day?
Daytime sightings are rare and typically indicate overcrowding in their outdoor habitat or recent disruption, such as after yard work, landscaping, or heavy rain. When their natural shelter is disturbed, they may seek temporary refuge indoors.
Are Florida woods cockroaches bad?
They're not harmful in the way traditional roaches are, they don’t infest kitchens or spread bacteria. But their size, smell, and sudden indoor appearances make them deeply unpleasant to live with. And once they spray, the odor can linger for days.
Why does the smell linger after I kill one?
Their defensive secretion is chemically potent and designed to cling to surfaces. If sprayed inside, the odor can persist in HVAC ducts, carpets, or attic insulation. Proper disposal and cleaning are required to fully eliminate the smell.
Are they too big for standard roach traps?
Yes. Their large size and outdoor behavior make them less responsive to over-the-counter baits and glue traps. Professional-grade gel baits and barrier treatments are far more effective at controlling them and preventing re-entry.
How do I get rid of Florida woods cockroaches?
Effective control involves a combination of moisture reduction, yard cleanup, entry-point sealing, and targeted pesticide applications. For long-term protection, it’s best to contact a local pest control provider who understands Florida’s roach behavior.
Is it safe for pets if they eat one?
Not exactly. While not fatal, a sprayed cockroach can irritate a dog or cat’s mouth or stomach. Watch for signs like vomiting or drooling. If your pet shows symptoms, consult your vet and avoid future exposure by removing attractants.