Do most houses have roaches?

Most houses do not have active cockroach infestations at any given time, but cockroaches are extremely common insects worldwide and many houses may have occasional roaches that wander in from outdoors or neighboring units, with prevalence varying by region, climate, and housing type. Studies estimate that about 63 percent of homes in the United States have cockroach allergens present, but that does not mean live roaches, it indicates past or nearby presence. In warm, humid southern states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, American cockroaches which are large reddish brown about one and a half inches often called palmetto bugs are very common outdoors and frequently enter homes through drains, basements, and gaps seeking moisture, so most houses in those regions may see occasional roaches yearly. In urban apartment buildings, German cockroaches which are small light brown about half an inch are more common due to close quarters and can spread between units through wall voids, so apartment dwellers report roaches more frequently. Single-family homes in northern states with good sanitation and sealed entry points may rarely see roaches. Factors increasing likelihood include older homes with cracks, moisture problems like leaky pipes, clutter, and proximity to sewers. Even clean homes can have occasional roaches that hitchhike in grocery bags or cardboard. So while most houses do not have heavy infestations with hundreds, occasional roach sightings are common, especially in warm climates and apartments, and do not necessarily indicate dirty conditions. Prevention includes sealing cracks with caulk, fixing leaks, storing food sealed, and using gel baits.