American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark areas such as sewers, basements, and kitchens, but can also be found in wooded areas and hollow trees outdoors.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic omnivore that eats decaying organic matter, paper, sweets, starchy foods, and proteins.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal insects that are fast runners and capable of short flights; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis with nymph stages resembling small, wingless adults.

Risks & Benefits

Potential health risk as they can spread bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, and their droppings or shed skins can trigger asthma or allergies in humans.

Identified on: 6/19/2026