Oriental Cockroach (Nymph stage)

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and cool areas such as basements, crawl spaces, sewers, floor drains, and mulch around building foundations. They are often called 'water bugs' due to their preference for moisture.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic omnivores that feed on decaying organic matter, garbage, starchy foods, and animal waste. They require a significant amount of water to survive.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal insects that are relatively slow-moving compared to other cockroach species. They enter buildings through gaps under doors, utility pipes, and floor drains, usually staying on lower levels or sub-floors.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include the contamination of food and surfaces with pathogens (such as E. coli and Salmonella) and allergens that can trigger asthma. They are considered a major household pest. In the wild, they benefit the ecosystem by breaking down organic debris.

Identified on: 1/2/2026