Oriental Cockroach

Identification

• dark brown to black with wings that are not as long as the body or that appear absent

Nesting Habits

• often found in basements, cellars, crawl spaces and sewers, near drains, leaky pipes and faucets and under refrigerators and sinks
• also referred to as “water bugs” because they can be found in cool, damp, dark areas
• infestations common in spring through fall
• very commonly come up and out of floor drains

Diet

• garbage and decaying organic material

Significance

• cause allergic reactions, similar to asthma, in some people
• may transmit disease

IPM Recommendations

• Prevent roaches from coming out of drains.
• Improve sanitation.
• Store food in pest-proof containers.
• Inspect and monitor all areas where food is prepared, stored, or eaten, and where moisture and heat are present or where floor drains exist.
• Use cockroach traps to determine infestation level, harborage location, movement and control success.
• Repair leaks or plumbing malfunctions.
• Caulk and install weather stripping and door sweeps where cockroaches can potentially enter the building.
• Use cockroach baits and/or boric acid dust to control populations.
• Vacuum (with a HEPA filter) roaches and egg cases.

Additional Resources:

Cockroaches fact sheet

IPM for Cockroaches: Integrated Pest Management in Sensitive Environments (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension)