Oriental Cockroach Control Services

What Do Oriental Cockroaches Look Like?

Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis) are a species of cockroach commonly found in households and commercial buildings. Also known as water bugs, Oriental cockroaches are native to Africa but have spread throughout the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Here are some key characteristics of oriental cockroaches:

• Appearance: Oriental cockroaches are approximately 1 inch in length and are dark brown or black in color. The males have wings that cover two-thirds of their abdomen, while the females have shorter wings that do not cover their abdomen. Both males and females have a smooth, shiny appearance.
• Habitat: Oriental cockroaches prefer damp environments and are commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, and sewer systems. They are also found in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Diet: Oriental cockroaches are omnivores and will eat almost anything, including decaying organic matter, garbage, and even other insects. They can also survive for long periods without food or water.
• Life cycle: Oriental cockroaches go through incomplete metamorphosis, which means they hatch from eggs as nymphs and go through several molts before becoming adults. The development time from egg to adult can take up to 6 months, and adults can live for up to 6 months.
• Behavior: Oriental cockroaches are nocturnal and are most active at night. They can move quickly and are known to hide in dark, damp places during the day. They are also attracted to light and may enter homes or businesses through open doors or windows at night.

Oriental cockroaches are a common household pest that can be difficult to eliminate once they establish an infestation. Prevention measures such as proper sanitation, sealing cracks and gaps, and reducing moisture can help to reduce the risk of an infestation. If an infestation is suspected, it is important to contact our pest control professionals for proper identification and treatment.

Learn more: What Do Water Bugs Look Like?

Learn more: Water Bugs vs Roaches

Where Are Oriental Cockroaches Found?

Oriental cockroaches, also known as water bugs or black beetles, are a common household pest. They are known to infest a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, including damp and dark environments. Here are some of the places where you might find oriental cockroaches:

• Bathrooms: Oriental cockroaches are attracted to moist and dark environments, which make bathrooms a common place for them to infest. They can be found around sinks, tubs, toilets, and in the corners of the bathroom floor.
• Basements: The damp and dark conditions in basements make them a perfect habitat for oriental cockroaches. They can often be found near floor drains, sump pumps, and around pipes.
• Crawlspaces: Similar to basements, crawlspaces are often damp and dark, maing them ideal places for oriental cockroaches to thrive. They can be found in the corners, around pipes, and near vents.
• Kitchens: Oriental cockroaches are attracted to food and organic matter, which means that they can be found in kitchens. They can be found around sinks, stoves, and refrigerators, as well as in cabinets and drawers.
• Landscaping: Oriental cockroaches can also be found outside in landscaping areas, especially in moist and shaded areas. They can be found under rocks, in mulch, and around plants.
• Sewers: Oriental cockroaches are known to live in sewers, so they can easily enter homes through drains and pipes. They can be found in the drains and pipes of bathrooms and kitchens.
• Garages: Garages can also be a source of oriental cockroach infestations, especially if there are cracks or gaps around doors or windows. They can be found in corners, around storage areas, and near outdoor equipment.

Oriental cockroaches can be found in a variety of locations, but they tend to prefer moist and dark environments. If you suspect an infestation, it is important to contact a pest control professional to assess the situation and provide treatment.

What Do Oriental Cockroaches Eat?

Oriental cockroaches are scavengers with a very broad diet. They primarily feed on decaying organic matter, which includes:

• Plant material: Rotting leaves, vegetables, and fruits.
• Animal matter: Dead insects, small animal carcasses, and other decomposing protein sources.
• Household scraps: Food crumbs, grease, and leftover human food in kitchens.
• Moist organic material: They are often found in damp areas, so they may eat moldy items, wet cardboard, or organic debris in basements, crawl spaces, and drains.

Unlike some other cockroach species, oriental cockroaches prefer cooler, damp environments and are less likely to be found in high, dry areas of a home. They are opportunistic feeders, so almost any decomposing or starchy material can serve as a food source.

Oriental Cockroach Life Cycle

The life cycle of oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis) is gradual and involves three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult:

• Egg Stage: Female oriental cockroaches produce an egg case called an ootheca. Each ootheca contains 16–18 eggs. The female deposits the ootheca in protected, moist areas like basements, crawl spaces, leaf litter, or near drains. Eggs typically hatch in 60–70 days, depending on temperature and humidity. Cooler conditions slow development.
• Nymph Stage: Nymphs are small, wingless, dark brown to black cockroaches. They molt 6–10 times as they grow, gradually darkening and increasing in size with each molt. Nymphs are slower-growing compared to other cockroach species; growth is heavily dependent on temperature and food availability. This stage can last 6–12 months in cooler environments.
• Adult Stage: Adults are about 1 inch long, dark brown to nearly black, with short, non-functional wings in males and vestigial wings in females. They are less active fliers, preferring to crawl. Adults can live up to 1 year, again depending on environmental conditions. Females can produce multiple oothecae over their lifespan, continuing the reproductive cycle.

Oriental cockroaches thrive in damp, cool environments, making basements, crawl spaces, drains, and leaf litter their preferred habitats. Their slow development make them very different from German cockroaches, which reproduce much faster.