American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Warm, damp, and dark areas, often found in basements, sewers, drains, steam tunnels, and around pipes. They can also live outdoors in yards and woodpiles during warm weather.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers, eating a wide variety of food sources including decaying organic matter, starches, sweets, grease, and even paper, fabric, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, active at night. They are known for their fast running and can fly short distances when disturbed. They communicate through chemical signals (pheromones) and tend to aggregate in groups.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include spreading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and other illnesses. They can also trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. They do not sting or bite humans and are primarily considered a pest. In natural ecosystems, they play a minor role as decomposers.

Identified on: 9/13/2025