American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Warm, humid environments, commonly found in sewers, basements, drains, steam tunnels, and around pipes. Also infests homes, restaurants, grocery stores, and other commercial buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers; they will eat almost anything, including food scraps, decaying organic matter, sewage, paper, fabric, and even other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, active at night. They can run very quickly and are capable of flying, especially the males. They are social insects and often live in large groups. They lay eggs in oothecae (egg cases).

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include spreading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) that can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and other illnesses. They can also trigger allergies and asthma symptoms due to their shed skins and droppings. They offer little to no direct benefit to humans, but in natural ecosystems, they contribute to decomposition.

Identified on: 9/20/2025