American cockroaches are one of the largest cockroach species you can find in North America. These tough pests have learned to live comfortably around humans, which makes them a real problem for homeowners.
Size is one of the biggest differences between American cockroaches and other species: They grow to about 1.3 to 2.1 inches long, which is significantly larger than other cockroach species. They are reddish-brown in color and adults have wings.
It’s worth noting that the American cockroach’s flat, oval-shaped body is particularly deceptive – it can somehow squeeze into spaces that seem way too small for it.
For more details on how these cockroaches compare to other species, check out our cockroach information page.
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Learning about the American cockroach's characteristics can help you better understand how to keep them out of your home.
These cockroaches like warm, wet places. That’s why you'll often find them in basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. They're attracted to places with moisture, rotting food, and garbage. They also love hanging out near pipes, under sinks, and inside walls where they can stay hidden during the day.
Outside, they prefer mulch and leaf piles. They also like areas around storm drains where it's damp.
American cockroaches will eat almost anything. This includes plants, rotting food, soap, leather, paper, and fabric. They're not picky eaters, which is one reason they survive so well in human environments.
The life cycle of an American cockroach has three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Female cockroaches lay eggs in cases called oothecae, and each case holds about 14 to 16 eggs. These cases hatch in about six to seven weeks, which is when the baby cockroaches, called nymphs, emerge.
The nymphs have to shed their skin several times before they become adults; this whole process takes between 6 and 12 months, depending on conditions.
Once they reach adulthood, American cockroaches can live for one to two years, and during that entire time, females keep laying new egg cases (this rapid reproduction cycle is why infestations can spiral out of control so quickly).
These cockroaches are nocturnal. They're also incredibly fast runners and can move quickly across surfaces when they get scared, reaching speeds of up to three miles per hour. They use their long antennae to find food and navigate in the dark.
They’re also pretty social and often gather in groups in dark, damp areas. They communicate with each other using pheromones, which is why if you see one cockroach, there are almost certainly more hiding nearby.
In the wild, these cockroaches have several natural predators that keep their populations in check. Spiders, centipedes, and parasitic wasps all hunt them, and some bird species eat them, too.
Interestingly, dehydration is one of the few ways they can die naturally, so keeping your home free of moisture makes it less attractive to these troublesome pests.
If you think you might have American cockroaches, there are several warning signs to watch for.
To start, these cockroaches are large – much bigger than any other cockroach species. They’re reddish-brown and typically measure 1.3 to 2.1 inches long. They also have glossy bodies, long antennae, and many have a yellow band behind their heads.
American cockroaches don't bite, but they can pinch if threatened.
Like most cockroaches, American cockroaches enter through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes and windows, or hitchhike inside in boxes and used furniture. Once inside, they're attracted to warm, damp areas with food and water sources, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
They can be. American cockroaches may carry bacteria that can contaminate food and cause illness.
The answer is: fast. Adults tend to live 1 to 2 years and keep reproducing, so small infestations can become major problems in just a few months.
Keep your kitchen clean and store food in sealed containers; fix leaks, and reduce moisture in your home; make sure to seal cracks around pipes, doors, and windows. Also, remove clutter, take out trash regularly, and inspect used furniture before bringing it inside.
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