There are few sights more unnerving than spying a cockroach scurrying across the floor of your kitchen. It’s enough to send a shiver right down your spine.
If this has happened to you recently, you might be wondering what type of cockroach it is. Was it an American cockroach? Or perhaps an Oriental cockroach?
In this article, we’ll compare these two common household pests. Using this information, you can accurately identify the kind of cockroach you’ve seen and take action to get rid of them for good.
Let’s explore the differences between American and Oriental cockroaches.
What Are Cockroaches?
Before we unpack the differences between these two pests, let’s first take it back to basics. What exactly is a cockroach?
Cockroaches are a type of insect belonging to the order Blattodea. They are exceptionally resilient and can not only survive but also thrive in many different, often hospitable environments. Worldwide, there are more than 4,500 species of cockroaches. Only a few of these are thought of as pests here in the United States.
Some of the species you are most likely to come across include:
- American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
- Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
- German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
- Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
Each type is slightly different, with its own unique appearance, habitat preferences, and behavior. However, they all share the same attraction to areas and buildings where humans live and work. This includes homes, restaurants, hospitals, and other buildings where food and water are readily available and easy to access.
What Are American Cockroaches?
As the name suggests, American cockroaches are one of the most frequently sighted cockroaches in the United States.
What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?
American cockroaches are large. Their size generally ranges from 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length. They have reddish-brown bodies with a unique yellowish figure-eight pattern on the backs of their heads. Their wings are fully developed, and they are capable of flight, although they much prefer to run.
What Is the Lifecycle of an American Cockroach?
There are three stages to the lifecycle of an American cockroach:
- Eggs: Female American cockroaches produce egg capsules called ootheca. These house about 14-16 eggs each. These capsules are deposited in warm, humid areas. The eggs hatch in about six to eight weeks.
- Nymphs: Nymphs emerge from the eggs and go through several molts—where they shed their exoskeleton—before becoming adults. This stage can last from six to 12 months.
- Adults: Adult American cockroaches can live up to a year. During their life, they continue to reproduce.
What Is the Behavior of an American Cockroach?
American cockroaches are nocturnal. This means they are most active during the evening time. They also prefer warm, moist environments, like kitchens and bathrooms. They are attracted to basements and sewers as well. They are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of food. Crumbs, food scraps, and even paper products all make a meal for the American cockroach.
What Are the Risks of American Cockroaches?
Like many other species of cockroach, American cockroaches come with health risks. They can contaminate food with their droppings, saliva, and shed skin. This can cause the spread of pathogens, which, in some cases, lead to food poisoning.
In addition, American cockroaches might damage your belongings. They chew books, wallpaper, and fabrics for food.
What Are Oriental Cockroaches?
Oriental cockroaches are another common pest here in the United States. Let’s see how they compare to the American cockroach.
What Do Oriental Cockroaches Look Like?
Oriental cockroaches are slightly smaller than American cockroaches. They measure around 1 to 1 1/4 inches in length. They are dark brown to black and have a glossy, almost shiny appearance. Unlike American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches have underdeveloped wings and are unable to fly. They can only run, albeit quite quickly.
What Is the Lifecycle of an Oriental Cockroach?
The lifecycle of an Oriental cockroach also includes three stages:
- Eggs: Female Oriental cockroaches produce egg capsules containing about 16 eggs each. These capsules are placed in warm and sheltered locations that offer protection. The eggs hatch in about 60 days.
- Nymphs: Nymphs go through several molts over the course of six to 12 months before reaching adulthood.
- Adults: Adult Oriental cockroaches can live for about six months to one year. Like American cockroaches, they focus on reproducing.
What Is the Behavior of an Oriental Cockroach?
Oriental cockroaches like cool, damp environments. You might find them hiding out in crawl spaces and underneath bathroom, kitchen, and laundry sinks. They are also nocturnal and tend to be less active during bouts of warm weather.
Oriental cockroaches eat decaying organic matter and can survive on very little food. This makes them a particularly resilient pest species.
What Are the Risks of Oriental Cockroaches?
In the same way as American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches spread pathogens and cause food contamination. That being said, they are less likely to damage property compared to American cockroaches.
American vs. Oriental Cockroaches: Key Differences
Now that you have an overview of these two common pests, let’s compare them side by side. Use this table to figure out which type of cockroach you have in your home.
| Feature | American Cockroaches | Oriental Cockroaches |
| Size | 1 1/2 to 2 inches | 1 to 1 1/4 inches |
| Color | Reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their heads | Dark brown to black and glossy |
| Flight | Fully developed wings, which allow them to fly short distances | Underdeveloped wings, so cannot fly |
| Preferred Habitat | Warm, moist environments, often found in kitchens and basements | Cooler, damp environments, often found in basements and crawl spaces |
| Feeding Habits | Omnivorous, will feed on paper and fabric belongings | Omnivorous, more likely to feed on decaying organic matter |
How to Prevent Cockroaches
A few basic steps can go a long way in preventing both American and Oriental cockroaches. Here’s our advice:
Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy
Cockroaches love finding food crumbs and other debris. This attracts them to your home and encourages them to stay.
Combat this by cleaning kitchen counters, floors, cupboards, and other surfaces regularly. You’ll want to pay extra attention to areas where food is prepared and consumed.
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture too.
Finally, try not to leave dirty dishes lying around. Don’t leave them in the sink overnight.
Regularly Take Out the Trash
Trash cans are full of food scraps. This will inevitably attract cockroaches. So take out the trash each night ideally. Use trash cans with lids, as this can keep cockroaches out.
Finally, don’t forget to give the inside of your garbage can a good clean every now and again. This will remove any residue that might attract pests.
Store Food Smartly
Store food in airtight containers. This helps keep your food fresh while deterring cockroaches from eating and potentially contaminating it. Use containers made of glass, metal, or heavy plastic, as American cockroaches can chew through cardboard and thin plastic.
You don’t want to store food on the counter overnight either. Pop perishables in the fridge. Keep pet food in sealed containers too.
Fix Leaks Fast
Creatures great and small need water to survive. Cockroaches are no exception to this rule. So take steps to eliminate their water source. Fix any leaky faucets, pipes, and appliances fast. You might also like to set a reminder to check your appliances (think fridge and dishwasher) for leaks on a regular basis. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Clean Out the Clutter
Clutter makes for perfect hiding spots. Keep your home organized and free of unnecessary items, especially in rooms like the basement or attic, where you rarely visit.
In addition, try not to hold on to paperwork, cardboard boxes, newspapers, or magazines.
Pest Control for Cockroaches
Whether American or Oriental, cockroaches are not a harmless pest. DIY methods may not be effective enough to combat the infestation. Left untreated, it might get worse. If you live in a densely populated area, it can even spread to your neighbors.
So if you believe you might have a problem, contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible.
Get the Help You Need Today
Both American and Oriental cockroaches pose risks. Both can also be tricky to eradicate. The best path forward is collaborating with a pest control company. They can give you a personalized treatment plan that caters to your unique goals.
In the meantime, be proactive and stay vigilant. Cockroaches are tough, but with the right strategy in place, you can manage the problem.
If you are ready to take the next step, please contact our team at Aptive. Alternatively, get a quote or request a quote online now. We are here to help.
