Common Cockroach Species in New York

German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

  • Status: The most common cockroach infesting indoor spaces in New York.

  • Description: Small (about ½ to ⅝ inch long), light brown/tan, with two distinct dark, parallel stripes running down the shield (pronotum) behind their head. They have wings but rarely fly.

  • Habitat: Strongly prefers warm, humid environments like kitchens and bathrooms. They are often found near sources of food, water, and heat (e.g., behind refrigerators, under sinks, in cabinets).

  • Key Note: They reproduce rapidly and can quickly develop large, stubborn infestations.

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

  • Status: Common, especially in New York City and other urban areas.

  • Description: Large (often 1 ½ to 2 inches long), making them one of the largest house-infesting roaches in the U.S. They are reddish-brown with a lighter, yellowish band bordering the head shield. Both males and females are fully winged and capable of flight, though they prefer to glide or run.

  • Habitat: Often called "water bugs," they prefer dark, damp areas. Indoors, they are typically found in basements, boiler rooms, crawl spaces, and near drains or sewers. Outdoors, they live in dark, moist places like tree holes, mulch, and woodpiles.

  • Key Note: They often enter buildings from the outdoors or through the plumbing/sewer system.

Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

  • Status: Less common than the German or American cockroach, but still a significant indoor pest in New York.

  • Description: Small (about ½ inch long). Males are fully winged and light brown, while females are darker, broader, and have shorter wings that do not cover the abdomen. Both genders have two lighter bands across their wings/abdomen, giving them their name.

  • Habitat: Prefer warmer, drier areas than German roaches and do not require high humidity. They are often found higher up in structures—glued to ceilings, inside cabinets, behind pictures, and in closets or furniture.

Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

  • Status: Common in some areas, particularly New York City, often in basements and crawl spaces.

  • Description: Medium-sized (about 1 inch long). They are very dark brown or nearly black, and their bodies have a greasy, shiny appearance. Males have short wings that cover about two-thirds of their abdomen, while females have very short, non-functional wing pads. They cannot fly.

  • Habitat: Often called "black beetles" or "water bugs." They thrive in very cool, damp locations. Outdoors, they live under debris, rocks, and in wall voids. Indoors, they are common in basements, cellars, and damp utility areas.