Q&A for How to Identify a Cockroach

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Where do cockroaches like to nest and hide?

Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker

Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

Expert Answer

You're going to find them around anything that puts out heat, like dishwashers, ovens, grease traps in ovens, behind mixers in the engines of refrigerators, etc. All insects are cold-blooded, so they need that heat to stay alive. Cockroaches also like to feel a little bit of pressure on them, so you do find them tucked away in cracks and crevices like peeling drywall, or underneath a really tight area.

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Can a cockroach climb up the pipe that is on a toilet?

Community Answer

Yes. It can climb up the out side of the pipe. It would not survive inside a pipe full of water.

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Question

How do I did my home of this pest?

Community Answer

Sanitation is very important. You also need to seal all cracks and crevices that may be found in your home to keep the cockroaches from entering. For more advice, read How to Get Rid of Roaches .

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Do cockroaches have soft or hard shells?

Community Answer

The larvae of cockroaches have soft shells, but adult cockroaches have hard shells.

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Can more than one type infest the same location?

Community Answer

Yes, different species of cockroach are everywhere but some depend on the climate or environment. There are usually more than one species of cockroach in any giving location.

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What do they look like before they've grown fully?

Caeiia

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Babies look just like small adults. Really young ones can be white (right after birth).

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Are there any household sprays or do I need an exterminator for German cockroaches?

Community Answer

You can buy roach sprays from supermarkets or online, but if you have a large population, you will want to call an exterminator. Sprays will only kill the roaches they come in contact with the spray.

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Are cockroaches quick when they move?

Caeiia

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If there is a disturbance (someone walking by), then they can skitter off relatively quickly. In the dark and in red light they are slower.

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Why do some roaches die upside down?

Community Answer

A cockroach has random muscular spasms that cause it to flip onto its back. When it is close to dying, and it has one of these, it is too weak to right itself and eventually dies in that position.

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What attracts cockroaches into the home or kitchen?

Community Answer

Moisture and unattended food or crumbs are two of the biggest contributors to cockroach infestations.

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What do cockroach eggs look like?

Community Answer

Eggs are usually brown or reddish brown sacs. They're about the size of a pinto bean and are ribbed.

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How do I get rid of the American cockroach?

Community Answer

Try Diatomaceous Earth. It is non toxic and dries out the exoskeleton of most insects.

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Do cockroaches bite?

Community Answer

Most of the time, they do not bite.

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Are there orange cockroaches?

Community Answer

There are many species of cockroaches that can range in color depending on your location. You can google information about specific types of cockroaches, or contact pest control if you have a cockroach problem.

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Are cockroaches loaded with bacteria?

Community Answer

Cockroaches contain e. Coli and other common diseases that can infect food and make humans sick. Throw out any food contaminated by cockroaches.

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How long does it take for them to multiply?

Community Answer

American and Oriental roaches, as little as 4 months, with usually 15 to 20 nymphs. German roaches, as little as one month, with anywhere from 16 to 50 nymphs.

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Do some cockroaches move really slowly?

Sam_9

Community Answer

No, all cockroaches move fast when they feel threatened. They only move slowly when they feel safe or are resting.

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Are there purple cockroaches?

Community Answer

No, there are no purple cockroaches.

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Question

Flying bug in my house, about 1 1/2 " long, shiny purplish color. Looked like it might be a roach, so I killed it - did I kill an innocent?

Community Answer

It probably wasn't a roach; cockroaches cannot fly and I do not know of any purple species.

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Are cockroaches purple in color?

Community Answer

Pacific cockroaches may have a purple tint, but generally most common cockroaches found indoors, like the American or wood cockroach, are all brown or light brown in color.

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I have a bug that looks like a cockroach. It has six legs, 2 stinger-like things coming out the back, a small orange stripe on its back, and underneath the top half is light colored and the bottom half has sideways stripes. How can I identify it?

Community Answer

That is probably a cockroach. The stinger-like things cannot hurt you, they are the reproductive organs of male roaches. Search up species of cockroach on the internet. It sounds like an American or red runner roach.

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Can cockroaches climb inside sink pipes?

Community Answer

Absolutely. They need moisture to survive. Sink pipes are favored places for cockroaches.

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Is it true that if I step on a pregnant roach, the eggs can get stuck in the grooves of my shoe and hatch in my home?

Community Answer

This would theoretically be possible, but it's unlikely.

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Are there black cockroaches?

Community Answer

Oriental cockroaches are so dark brown that in some lighting they appear black.

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Do all cockroaches have antennae?

Community Answer

Yes, cockroaches have antennae for sensing and feeling.

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If roaches are coming from inside a wall where a piece of drywall was cut out, would it be best to put poison inside (and if so, what kind) and then patch the opening?

Community Answer

I would recommend calling pest control to spray in the crevice and throughout the house so as to make sure that there are no more cockroaches or potential pests in your home. It's rather hard to kill cockroaches manually with normal poisons, however if you really need a cheap alternative, make a peppermint oil and cypress oil mixture and then spray it in the crevice or throughout your house. It's a good way to repel the cockroaches while also making your house smell nice.

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I saw one that was big and black. I've heard that those are usually the ones that got lost and ended up inside and are not as bad. It was a hot day. Should I be worried?

Community Answer

If you no longer see any cockroaches in your home, you should be fine. If you are really worried, call pest control. Or you can make a peppermint oil and cypress oil mixture, then spray it around your house to repel cockroaches.

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Do brown band roaches fly around outdoor lights?

Community Answer

No. Cockroaches generally avoid light as their eyes are sensitive to it. Cockroaches also don't fly, so you are seeing some other sort of bug, probably some kind of beetle.

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Can roaches be harmful to humans?

Community Answer

Yes, they create indoor allergens that can trigger asthma, and they can spread harmful bacteria into food, causing GI distress if eaten.

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Question

How can I tell different types of cockroaches?

Community Answer

Look at the pictures here to see the differences.

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