Oriental Cockroach

Actual Size: 1 ¼”

Characteristics: Shiny; dark reddish-brown to black.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Habitat: Primarily outdoors in sewers, under porches, and under debris, leaves, and stones. Inside, they inhabit basements and crawl spaces.

Habits:

  • Often found on the lower floors of homes and buildings.
  • Usually travel through sewer pipes and drains.
  • Can emit a strong odor.

Oriental Cockroaches in Vermont

Oriental cockroaches are often confused for other types of bugs altogether, usually beetles. They are often known as “water bugs”. This species is attracted to wet and shady perimeter areas and prefers the dark and dampness of basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. Oriental cockroaches are known to climb water pipes and garbage chutes to access the upper floors of apartment buildings. They feed on all kinds of filth, debris, and other decaying organic matter and seem especially fond of garbage and the contents of discarded tin cans.

The oriental cockroach is a seasonal species. Adult roaches usually appear in the months of May, June, and July.

Oriental Cockroach Habitat

Oriental cockroaches are common outdoors and live in warm, damp shady areas near the ground. Outside the house, these cockroaches will gather near or under trash cans. When temperatures drop, they may seek shelter indoors but can tolerate cooler weather. Oriental cockroaches may enter homes in food packages from grocery stores or gain access under exterior doors, garage doors, air ducts, and ventilators. Inside, they tend to remain on lower floors and move more slowly than other species. The most common areas to find oriental cockroaches in homes are toilets, bathtubs, sinks, radiators, and pipes.

Oriental Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Oriental cockroaches are not dangerous in that they do not bite and will generally leave you alone. However, these roaches do present a serious threat to your health and the health of your family. Cockroaches are known for spreading disease and have been discovered to carry 33 different kinds of bacteria, including E. Coli and Salmonella. Cockroaches contaminate food items and the surfaces in our homes with harmful bacteria as they forage for food. They also pose a major threat to people with allergies or asthma as their shed skins and feces can cause serious reactions in these individuals.

If you are dealing with an oriental cockroach infestation, it’s important to contact your local cockroach exterminator for help.