They're everywhere. More than 3,500 species worldwide. Here's where to learn about the kinds of cockroaches that are moving into your neighborhood.
 

German Cockroach
The German cockroach can be found in kitchens and bathrooms of homes and apartments, grocery stores, food processing plants, restaurants and other structures around the world. Where there's a water source, there's probably a German cockroach near by. They are dark brown in color with two dark longitudinal streaks on the pronotrum. Females are slightly darker than males and they both typically measure approximately five-eighths inch. These winged pests favor humid conditions and can breed year-round.
 

Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches are residents of the darkest and dirtiest of places. They harbor in sewers and make their way in food packaging and air-ducts. You can spot them in dark, damp basements, under laundry baskets, and near garbage holding areas. It's less wary and slower than most other species, they measure approximately one inch in length and are extremely dark brown in color. Oriental cockroaches are sometimes referred to as the black beetle.
 

American Cockroach
This invader travels through sewer systems and drain pipes. Occasionally, the American Cockroach will perform a mass migration from trash dumps in warm weather. It primarily infests commercial properties, but is no stranger to the home. Both male and female are reddish-brown with a pale yellow stripe on the wing tips. It’s the largest of the house-infesting cockroach at one-and-one-half inches long. This fully winged pest prefers to feed on fermenting foods.
 

Brown-banded Cockroach
The Brown-banded Cockroach can be found throughout structures, but tends to prefer higher locations such as ceilings, appliance motors and light switches. Of African origin, both the male and the female are about one-half inch long, light brown to brown in color with pale brown bands. While the species is fully winged, only the male can fly. This pest prefers hotter environments, and feeds primarily on table food remains.
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