American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Prefers warm, dark, and moist environments. Commonly found in basements, sewers, drains, crawl spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. They can also live outdoors in humid areas.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they feed on a wide variety of organic matter, including decaying plant and animal matter, food scraps, paper, fabric, and even other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; they are active at night, foraging for food and water. They are fast runners and can fit into small cracks and crevices. They reproduce quickly, with females laying egg cases (oothecae) containing multiple eggs.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Known to transmit bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, potentially causing food poisoning, asthma attacks (due to allergens in their droppings and shed skins), and other illnesses. They can contaminate food and surfaces. \nBenefits: In some natural ecosystems, they play a minor role as decomposers, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 8/16/2025