Oriental Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and cool areas such as basements, crawl spaces, sewers, drains, and mulch around foundations.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers that feed on decaying organic matter, starchy materials, and food scraps.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal and sluggish compared to other cockroach species. They are often called "water bugs" and travel through plumbing. They go through incomplete metamorphosis: egg, nymph, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are major household pests that can spread pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, contaminate food, and trigger allergies or asthma. Benefits: In nature, they help break down decomposing organic material.

Identified on: 2/15/2026