Oriental Cockroaches
BLATTA ORIENTALIS LINNAEUS
Color: Shiny black
Shape: Oval
Size: 1 inch long
Region: Found in the northern parts of the U.S.
OVERVIEW
Oriental cockroaches live in sewers and in wet, decaying organic matter. They are sometimes called “waterbugs” because they come out of drains, and “black beetle cockroaches” because of their smooth, dark bodies.
HABITS
Oriental cockroaches can survive quite well outdoors, where they can be found under debris, leaves, stones, and porches or in wall voids. They can enter homes through door thresholds, under sliding glass doors, along utility pipes and air ducts, and from floor drains. Inside homes, Oriental cockroaches tend to hide in crawl spaces, basements, and around utility pies. Oriental cockroaches feed on all kinds of food, especially decaying organic matter and starchy foods.
THREATS
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. Oriental cockroaches’ habit of feeding on filth means that they are likely to pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these onto food or food surfaces.
