Cockroaches, insects of the Blattodea order, are ancient survivors, with over 4,500 species thriving globally in diverse habitats from forests to urban homes. Known for flattened bodies, long antennae, and rapid movement, only about 30 species are household pests. Their resilience stems from surviving extreme conditions, eating almost anything organic, and reproducing quickly.
These nocturnal creatures prefer warm, humid environments like kitchens, sewers, and basements, where they feed on food scraps, plants, or decaying matter. Their diet flexibility makes them adept at invading human spaces, contaminating surfaces with pathogens like Salmonella, posing health risks, and triggering allergies or asthma.
Cockroaches reproduce via oothecae (egg cases) or, in some species, live birth, with females producing dozens to hundreds of offspring in months. Species like the German cockroach mature in weeks, fueling rapid infestations. Their ability to develop pesticide resistance complicates control efforts.
Control requires integrated pest management: sanitation, sealing entry points, reducing moisture, and using baits or insecticides. Regular cleaning and proper food storage deter infestations, while professional help targets severe cases. Outdoor species rarely invade but may enter via lights or debris.
Some cockroaches, like Madagascar hissers, are kept as pets for their unique traits, requiring warm, humid enclosures. However, pest species dominate public perception due to their disease-spreading potential, making vigilance key in urban settings.
Types of Cockroaches
German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)
The German Cockroach, the most common household pest, measures 0.5-0.6 inches with a light brown body and two dark stripes on its pronotum. Found worldwide, especially in U.S. homes, restaurants, and hotels, it prefers warm, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Females carry oothecae (egg cases) with 30-40 eggs until hatching, producing 200-250 offspring in a 100-day life cycle. Rapid reproduction and pesticide resistance make control challenging; baits like gel formulations and sanitation are key. They spread bacteria, triggering allergies and asthma.
American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
The American Cockroach, often called a palmetto bug, is the largest house-infesting species, growing to 1.5-2 inches. Reddish-brown with a yellow figure-8 pattern on its pronotum, it inhabits sewers, basements, and commercial kitchens across the U.S. Both sexes have wings, with males occasionally flying in warm conditions. Females produce 6-14 oothecae, each with 14-16 eggs, in a 210-day to two-year life cycle. Control involves sealing entry points, reducing moisture, and using baits. They contaminate food and prefer fermenting materials.
Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
Brown-banded Cockroaches, smaller at 0.5 inches, are light brown with two yellowish bands across their wings. Found nationwide, they prefer warm, dry areas like cabinets, electronics, and ceilings, avoiding water sources. Males fly when disturbed, while females glue oothecae (10-18 eggs) to hidden surfaces, producing up to 250 eggs in a 210-day cycle. Less moisture-dependent than German roaches, they’re controlled with sticky traps and baits. Their rapid spread in homes and ability to carry pathogens make them a concern.
Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
Known as the “water bug,” the Oriental Cockroach is 1-1.25 inches long, shiny black or dark brown, and thrives in damp, cool areas like basements, drains, and sewers. Common in the U.S., especially in older buildings, females have short wing pads, and males have wings covering three-quarters of their body; neither flies. Females produce 8 oothecae with 16 eggs, developing over 300-800 days. Control requires reducing moisture and using baits in humid areas. They emit a strong odor and spread filth.
Smokybrown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
The Smokybrown Cockroach, 1.25-1.5 inches, is dark red-brown and shiny, with fully developed wings allowing flight. Common in the southeastern U.S., like Florida and Texas, it prefers moist, warm outdoor areas like tree holes and attics but enters homes via lights. Females produce oothecae with 20 eggs, hatching in 45 days. Control involves sealing entry points, reducing outdoor lighting, and using residual sprays. Requiring constant moisture, they’re less common indoors but can infest attics with leaks.
Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae)
The Australian Cockroach, 1-1.4 inches, resembles the American but has yellow markings on its thorax and wings. Found in tropical U.S. regions like Florida and greenhouses, it thrives in warm, humid outdoor areas but enters homes seeking food. Both sexes fly, with females producing oothecae of 16-24 eggs. Control includes sanitation, sealing cracks, and baits. Often mistaken for American roaches, they prefer plant material but contaminate kitchens, posing health risks in homes.
Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai)
Asian Cockroaches, nearly identical to German roaches at 0.5 inches, are light brown with two dark stripes but are strong fliers attracted to lights. Common in the southeastern U.S., they live outdoors in leaf litter and grass, entering homes at night. Females produce oothecae with 30-40 eggs, similar to German roaches. Control focuses on outdoor treatments, reducing lighting, and sealing entries. Their outdoor habits and flight distinguish them, but they still carry pathogens indoors.
Florida Woods Cockroach (Eurycotis floridana)
The Florida Woods Cockroach, also a “palmetto bug,” is 1.2-1.6 inches, reddish-brown to black, with a slow-moving, wingless body. Native to the southeastern U.S., it lives in wood piles, sheds, and gardens, feeding on decaying plants. Rarely indoors, it may enter via garbage. Females produce oothecae with 20-24 eggs, developing over 150 days. Control involves removing outdoor breeding sites. Known for a foul odor when disturbed, they’re less of a health concern due to outdoor preferences.
Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta pennsylvanica)
The Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach, 0.7-1 inch, is chestnut-brown dark brown with white-edged pronotum and wings in males, who fly to lights. Females have short wings. Common in the eastern U.S., they live in forests under bark and logs, entering homes via firewood. Females produce oothecae with 10-20 eggs, developing over a year. Not indoor pests, control involves checking firewood and sealing entries. They feed on organic matter, posing minimal health risks indoors.
Surinam Cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis)
The Surinam Cockroach, 0.75-1 inch, is dark brown with a glossy black head, found in the southeastern U.S. Only females exist in the U.S., reproducing parthenogenetically with oothecae of 14-48 eggs hatching inside the female. They burrow in soil, feeding on plants, damaging gardens. Often in greenhouses, they’re controlled with baits and soil treatments. Their nocturnal habits and plant-based diet make them indoor pest, less significant indoors but a nuisance in agriculture.
Turkestan Cockroach (Blatta lateralis)
Turkestan Cockroaches, 1 inch, are reddish-brown with cream-colored markings, competing with Oriental roaches in the southwestern U.S. They prefer dry outdoor areas like yards, and compost piles, piles but enter homes at night. Females produce oothecae with 14-18 eggs, yielding up to 350 eggs yearly, in her lifetime, maturing in 13 months. Control involves outdoor baits and sealing entries. Their rapid reproduction makes them an emerging pest in urban areas.
Cuban Cockroach (Panchlora nivea)
Cuban Cockroaches, 0.5-1 inch, are light green and strong fliers, found in tropical U.S. regions like Florida. Preferring outdoor areas like leaf litter and trees, they’re attracted to lights, entering homes at night. Females carry oothecae with 20-30 eggs, hatching in 40-60 days. Control focuses on reducing outdoor lights and sealing entries. Their striking color and flight make them noticeable, but they’re less invasive indoors, posing minimal health risks.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)
The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, 2-3 inches, is dark brown, wingless, and known for hissing when disturbed. Native to Madagascar, it’s a popular pet in the U.S., rarely a pest. Living in forest leaf litter, they feed on decaying matter. Females are viviparous, birthing 20-40 live nymphs. Control is unnecessary, but escaped pets are managed by recapture. Their size and sound fascinate enthusiasts, but they don’t infest homes or spread disease.
Death’s Head Cockroach (Blaberus craniifer)
The Death’s Head Cockroach, 1.5-2 inches, is dark brown with a skull-like pattern on its pronotum. Native to Central and South America, it’s found in the U.S. as a pet or in zoos, living in leaf litter and feeding on organic matter. Females produce oothecae with 20-30 eggs, hatching in 50 days. Not a pest, control isn’t needed, but escaped individuals are recaptured. Their unique appearance makes them a favorite among exotic insect keepers.
Dubia Cockroach (Blaptica dubia)
The Dubia Cockroach, native to Central and South America, grows to 1.6-1.8 inches with a dark brown, segmented body and short wings in males; females are wingless. Popular as a feeder insect for reptiles due to high protein content, they’re rarely household pests. Found in leaf litter and forests, they feed on decaying matter and fruits. Females produce 20-40 live nymphs via internal oothecae, maturing in 4-6 months. Control is unnecessary, but escaped pets are managed by recapture. Keep them in secure containers with ventilation, as they don’t climb smooth surfaces, making them ideal for pet owners.
Discoid Cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis)
Discoid Cockroaches, from Central and South America, reach 1.5-2 inches, with a shiny, dark brown body and faint yellow markings. Another favored feeder insect, they’re non-invasive, living in forest floors and feeding on organic debris. Females produce oothecae with 20-30 eggs, hatching in 60 days, with nymphs maturing in 5-7 months. Not pests, they’re controlled by securing breeding setups. Their robust size and low maintenance suit reptile keepers, but they require warm (80-90°F), humid (60%) conditions. Their calm nature makes them a staple in the pet trade.
Giant Cave Cockroach (Blaberus giganteus)
The Giant Cave Cockroach, one of the largest species at 3-4 inches, is native to Central and South America’s rainforests and caves. Dark brown with long wings, both sexes fly in warm conditions. They feed on decaying wood and plant matter, living in humid, dark environments. Females produce oothecae with 20-30 eggs, maturing in 6-8 months. Rarely a pest, they’re kept as exotic pets, needing large enclosures (80-85°F, 70% humidity). Control involves recapture if escaped. Their impressive size and wingspan fascinate enthusiasts, but they’re not suited for beginners.
Lobster Cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea)
The Lobster Cockroach, from Northeast Africa but widespread in the U.S. pet trade, grows to 1-1.2 inches with a mottled grey-brown body. Named for its lobster-like appearance, it’s a feeder insect, not a household pest. Living in dry, warm areas, they feed on grains and organic matter. Females give birth to 30-40 live nymphs, maturing in 3-4 months. Control isn’t needed, but secure enclosures prevent escapes. Their rapid breeding and hardiness make them ideal for reptile feeding, thriving at 75-85°F with low humidity.
Hissers (Elliptorhina javanica)
Javan Hissing Cockroaches, from Madagascar, reach 2-3 inches, with a shiny black body and orange markings, known for hissing via spiracles. Wingless and non-pest, they’re popular pets, living in forest leaf litter and feeding on decaying plants. Females birth 15-30 live nymphs, maturing in 5-7 months. Control is unnecessary; escaped pets are recaptured. They need warm (80-90°F), humid (60-70%) enclosures with hiding spots. Their unique sound and docile nature make them educational pets, especially for children.
Green Banana Cockroach (Panchlora sp.)
Green Banana Cockroaches, from Central and South America, are 0.8-1 inch, with vibrant green, translucent wings, resembling Cuban roaches. Found in banana plantations and forests, they feed on fruit and plant debris, often transported via produce. Females produce oothecae with 20-30 eggs, hatching in 40-50 days. Rarely indoor pests, they’re controlled by inspecting imported fruits and sealing entries. As pets, they need humid (70%), warm (80-85°F) setups. Their striking color and flight make them a favorite among exotic insect keepers.
Harlequin Cockroach (Neostylopyga rhombifolia)
The Harlequin Cockroach, native to Indo-Pacific regions, grows to 0.8-1.2 inches with a colorful black, yellow, and orange pattern. Found in leaf litter and urban areas, they feed on organic matter and are occasional home invaders in tropical U.S. regions like Hawaii. Females produce oothecae with 16-20 eggs, maturing in 4-6 months. Control involves sanitation and baits like fipronil. Their vivid markings make them a pet for enthusiasts, requiring warm (80-90°F), humid (60%) enclosures, but they’re less common than hissers.
Argentine Wood Cockroach (Blaptica argentina)
Argentine Wood Cockroaches, from South America, reach 1.5-2 inches, with a dark brown body and short wings. Living in forests under logs, they feed on decaying wood and rarely enter homes. Females produce oothecae with 20-25 eggs, hatching in 50-60 days. Not pests, they’re used as feeder insects, needing warm (80-85°F), humid (60%) setups. Control isn’t required, but escapes are prevented with secure tanks. Their hardy nature suits reptile owners, though they’re less popular than Dubia roaches.
Boll’s Sand Cockroach (Arenivaga bolliana)
Boll’s Sand Cockroach, native to the southwestern U.S., grows to 0.5-1 inch, with a tan, oval body adapted for desert burrowing. Females have short wings, males longer, but neither flies. They feed on organic debris in sandy soils, rarely entering homes. Females produce oothecae with 10-15 eggs, maturing in 4-6 months. Not pests, they’re controlled by removing debris near homes. Rarely kept as pets, their burrowing fascinates researchers studying desert ecosystems, requiring dry, warm (75-85°F) setups.
Cape Cod Cockroach (Aglaopteryx gemma)
Cape Cod Cockroaches, found in the southeastern U.S., are small at 0.4-0.6 inches, with a light brown, translucent body and long wings in males. Living in leaf litter and pine forests, they feed on plant debris and avoid homes. Females produce oothecae with 10-12 eggs, hatching in 30-40 days. Not pests, they’re controlled by clearing yard debris. Rarely kept as pets, their delicate appearance suits enthusiasts, needing warm (75-80°F), humid (50-60%) enclosures. Their non-invasive nature makes them ecologically benign.
Three-lined Cockroach (Luridiblatta trivittata)
The Three-lined Cockroach, from Mediterranean regions and introduced to California, is 0.3-0.5 inches, with a pale brown body and three dark stripes. Living in dry, urban areas under debris, they feed on organic matter and rarely infest homes. Females produce tiny oothecae with 8-12 eggs, maturing in 3-4 months. Control involves sanitation and sealing cracks. Not pets, their small size and outdoor habits make them minor pests, manageable with basic yard maintenance.
Spotted Mediterranean Cockroach (Ectobius pallidus)
Spotted Mediterranean Cockroaches, found in Europe and introduced to the northeastern U.S., are 0.3-0.4 inches, light brown with pale spots. Living in grasslands and leaf litter, they feed on plant debris, rarely entering homes. Females produce oothecae with 6-10 eggs, hatching in 30 days. Not pests, they’re controlled by clearing debris. Rarely kept as pets, they’re studied for ecological roles, needing warm (70-80°F), dry setups. Their non-invasive nature minimizes human conflict.
Domino Cockroach (Therea petiveriana)
The Domino Cockroach, from southern India, grows to 0.8-1 inch, with a black body and white spots resembling dominoes. Found in leaf litter, they feed on decaying plants and are popular pets, not pests. Females produce oothecae with 12-16 eggs, maturing in 4-6 months. Kept in warm (80-85°F), humid (60%) enclosures, they’re controlled by secure setups. Their striking pattern and burrowing behavior make them a favorite among insect hobbyists.
Horse-field Cockroach (Hemithyrsocera histrio)
Horse-field Cockroaches, from Southeast Asia, reach 0.6-0.8 inches, with a black body and yellow-orange markings. Living in forests and fields, they feed on plant debris and rarely invade homes. Females produce oothecae with 10-15 eggs, hatching in 40 days. Not pests, they’re kept as pets, needing warm (80-85°F), humid (60%) setups. Control isn’t needed, but escapes are prevented with secure tanks. Their vibrant colors attract exotic insect enthusiasts.