American Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Warm, humid environments; commonly found in basements, sewers, drains, and steam tunnels. They can also infest homes, restaurants, grocery stores, and other human dwellings.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers. They eat almost anything, including decaying organic matter, starches, sweets, grease, wallpaper paste, books, and even other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, hiding in dark, secluded areas during the day and emerging at night to forage for food. They are fast runners and can fly, especially in warm climates. They are social insects, often found in groups.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include spreading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) to humans through contamination of food and surfaces, triggering allergies and asthma attacks, and causing an unpleasant odor in heavily infested areas. They can also cause structural damage to books and other household items. No significant benefits to humans directly, though they play a role in decomposition in natural environments.

Identified on: 9/12/2025