Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Cockroaches prefer warm, damp, and dark environments, often found indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and sewage systems. They hide in cracks, crevices, behind appliances, and under sinks. Outdoors, they can be found in leaf litter, drains, and sewers.

Diet & Feeding

Cockroaches are omnivores and scavengers. They will eat almost anything, including food scraps, decaying organic matter, grease, soap, paper, fabric, and even other cockroaches when resources are scarce. They are particularly attracted to starches, sweets, and fatty foods.

Behavior Patterns

Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal and gregarious. They are fast runners and can squeeze into tight spaces. They lay their eggs in a capsule called an ootheca, which is often dropped or glued to a surface. Their lifecycle consists of egg, nymph, and adult stages, with nymphs molting several times before reaching adulthood. They are highly adaptable and can survive in various conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include being a vector for various pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa), potentially carrying diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and staphylococcus. They can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals due to their shed skins and droppings. They can contaminate food and spread unpleasant odors. Benefits are minimal in a human-dominated environment, though in nature, they play a role as decomposers, recycling organic matter.

Identified on: 9/2/2025