Cockroach Facts & Information

German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

The most common indoor cockroach, German cockroaches are light brown with two dark stripes on their pronotum. They prefer warm, humid environments and are often found in kitchens and bathrooms.

American Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

The largest common cockroach, American cockroaches are reddish-brown with a yellow figure-8 pattern on their pronotum. They prefer warm, damp areas and are often found in basements and sewers.

Oriental Cockroach

Blatta orientalis

Oriental cockroaches are dark brown to black and prefer cool, damp areas. They are often found in basements, crawl spaces, and around plumbing fixtures.

Brown-banded Cockroach

Supella longipalpa

Brown-banded cockroaches are light brown with two lighter bands across their wings. They prefer warm, dry areas and are often found in upper cabinets and behind picture frames.

Droppings

Cockroach droppings look like small, dark specks or coffee grounds. They are often found in areas where cockroaches hide or travel.

Egg Cases

Cockroach egg cases (oothecae) are small, brown, and capsule-shaped. They contain multiple eggs and are often found in hidden areas.

Musty Odor

A strong, musty odor may indicate a large cockroach infestation. This smell is caused by the pheromones that cockroaches release.

Shed Skins

Cockroaches shed their skins as they grow. These shed skins are translucent and can be found near their hiding places.