What are Roaches?
Cockroaches are the most common insect pests infesting homes, food service establishments and other structures in the Northeast. They are large and omnivorous insects that are capable of transmitting disease, which causes food poisoning. Recently, cockroaches have been found to be the source of a highly common allergen in people, second only to house dust. There are many species of roaches but the German cockroach is by far the most common roach found in homes. Other types of roaches include the Oriental and American cockroaches that usually prefer dark, damp areas such as basements, floor drains, crawl spaces and utility closets. Cockroaches typically become established in homes after being introduced in grocery bags, with laundry, or, in some cases, wandering in from outdoors. Once cockroaches become established they are prolific breeders, capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year.
The American cockroach is about 30 millimetres (1.2 in) long, the German and Asian cockroaches are about 15 millimetres long and the Oriental cockroach is about 25 millimetres. Tropical cockroaches are often much, much bigger.