Oriental Cockroaches Invade Homes By Traveling Along Pipes, And They Are Commonly Associated With Foul Odors

The most significant cockroach pests found in homes throughout New York state include American, German, Oriental and brown-banded cockroaches. German and brown-banded cockroaches are unique for being two of the very few insect pests worldwide that dwell primarily indoors. In much of the world, the brown-banded cockroach is the most widespread and common domestic cockroach pest, but the German cockroach is by far the most commonly managed cockroach pest in all areas of the United States. Just like German and brown-banded cockroaches, the American and Oriental cockroach cockroach species are non-native pests that originated from the tropics of southeast Asia and Africa. American cockroaches are more abundant than Oriental cockroaches in New York, but the former mainly inhabits sewers and commercial buildings, while the latter is more frequently within homes. Oriental cockroaches contaminate stored foods with dozens of disease-causing pathogens, and this species is notable for being associated with the notoriously bad odor that often accompanies roach infestations.

During summer nights, Oriental cockroaches are commonly seen crawling about on residential lawns and pavement, and they frequently locate shelter beneath concrete slabs, lawn debris, mulch, within cracks in foundation walls, around thick vegetation, and in crawl spaces. Oriental cockroaches are often found indoors, but this does not necessarily mean that an infestation exists. In many cases, one or a few individual Oriental cockroaches enter homes in search of food and water, but they may decide to set up camp in cool and moist areas in basements, cellars and ground-level floors. These roach pests usually enter homes through crawl space openings and by traveling along pipes that lead into wall voids in kitchens and bathrooms, which is where they often remain due to the dark and moist conditions in these areas and the close proximity to stored food sources. Oriental cockroaches are relatively large at around 1 to 1 ¼ inches in length, and they are dark brown to black. They can be recognized by their slow and sluggish movements, and they produce many bodily chemicals that have a musty odor.

Have you ever smelled cockroach odors within your home?