Oriental Cockroach

The oriental cockroach, also known as the waterbug, is a large species of cockroach, adult males being 0.71 – 1.14 inches and adult females being 0.79 – 1.06 inches. It is dark brown to black in color and has a glossy body. The female oriental cockroach has a somewhat different appearance from the male, appearing to be wingless at casual glance but has two very short and useless wings just below her head. She has a wider body than the male. The male has long wings, which cover two thirds of the abdomen and are brown in color, and has a narrower body. The odd male is capable of very short flights, ranging about 2 to 3 meters.

The oriental cockroach tends to travel somewhat more slowly than other species. They are often called “waterbugs” since they prefer dark, moist places. They can often be found around decaying organic matter, and in sewers, drains, damp basements, porches, and other damp locations. They can be found outside in bushes, under leaf groundcover, and under mulch. They are major household pests in parts of the northwest, mid-west, and southern United States.

In order to thrive, they need a place to hide. They prefer warm places and a relatively high humidity if possible; they also need a source of food/liquid. They are mainly nocturnal. Oriental cockroaches can be elusive in that a casual inspectionof an infested dwelling during the day may show no signs of roach activity.