The American cockroach is the largest house-infesting species, about 1 1/2 inches long. Reddish-brown wings with light markings on thorax. Very aggressive. Prefer warm, damp areas, more likely to be seen in daytime and outdoors than other species. Flies more readily than other species. Scavengers; eat almost anything. Commonly found in food preparation areas. Female needs to mate only once to produce many egg capsules; each capsule contains an average of 13 eggs; nymphs molt 13 times, in about 600 days, before reaching maturity; can live up to 15 months. Have shown a marked attraction to alcoholic beverages, especially beer; also known as the water bug.

Smokey Brown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa

Dark brown, up to 1-1/2 inches long. Prefers to live outdoors; populations are relatively immobile compared to other species. Scavengers; eat almost anything; normally feed on plant material. Egg capsules hatch in 24 to 70 days; each contains an average of 20 eggs; females reach maturity in 320 days and produce an average of 7 capsules; adults can live up to 200 days. Particularly numerous in southeastern U.S.; fly towards lights at night.

German Cockroach
Blattella germanica

About 5/8 inch long; light to medium brown, with two dark longitudinal streaks on the thorax. Nocturnal; primarily infest areas close to food, moisture, and warmth; most common roach found in and around apartments homes, supermarkets and restaurants. Scavengers; will eat almost anything. Females produce one egg capsule every 20 to 25 days; each capsule contains from 18 to 48 eggs; newly born become adults in as little as 36 days; adults can live up to one year. Extremely heavy infestations are not uncommon; often found aboard ships; widest distribution of all roaches in U.S.

Brownbanded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa

About 5/8 inch long; wings have two brownish-yellow bands Nocturnal; can fly; may be found throughout any structure, but prefer dry, warm areas, high locations, and inside. Scavengers; eat almost anything. Female carries egg capsule for 24 to 36 hours, then attaches it underneath or on the side of a protected surface; capsules contain an average of 18 eggs; nymphs reach maturity in an average of 161 days; adults live up to 10 months. Sometimes confused with the German cockroach; often hide egg capsules in furniture; not as dependent on moisture as other species.

Oriental Cockroach
Blatta orientalis

Dark brown, about 1 inch long. Common outdoors, often enter buildings through sewer pipes; tend to live near the ground and in warm, damp areas. Eat anything, but often found feeding on garbage, sewage, and decaying organic matter; seem to prefer starches if available. Egg capsules contain 16 eggs; female will produce an average of 8 capsules; nymphs go through seven molts before becoming adults, in about a year; adults can live up to 180 days. Also known as water bugs or black beetles; more sluggish than other species; give off distinctive unpleasant odor.