American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Prefers warm, humid environments, often found in basements, sewers, drains, kitchens, and bathrooms. Outdoors, they inhabit areas like leaf litter, tree holes, and woodpiles.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers, feeding on a wide variety of organic matter including food scraps, decaying plants and animals, paper, fabrics, and even starchy materials like book bindings.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, typically found scurrying away when disturbed. Known for their rapid movement and ability to hide in small crevices. They are gregarious insects, often living in groups. Males are good fliers, while females typically have shorter wings or are wingless.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can be pests, contaminating food surfaces and food products, and acting as mechanical vectors for various pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa). Their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. Benefits: In natural ecosystems, they play a role in decomposition, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 8/17/2025