American Cockroach

American Cockroaches in Albuquerque NM

With some more than 2 inches long, the American cockroach is the largest common species of roach in the U.S. When you think of cockroaches, these are typically the ones that come to mind: long antennae, reddish-brown bodies, and impressive speed for their size. They prefer to stay in very warm, dark, damp areas where they can feed on food scraps and other organic matter. Despite their name, American cockroaches are believed to have been brought into the states via cargo ships from other countries. The American cockroach is omnivorous and an opportunistic feeder. It consumes decaying organic matter but is a scavenger and will eat almost anything. It prefers sweets, but has also been observed eating paper, pet food, soap, hair, fruit, book bindings, cardboard boxes, cloth and dead insects.

American cockroaches are not typically found outside in cooler climates; instead, they migrate through steam pipes and sewer systems in urban and suburban settings. If they enter your property in New Mexico, they can bring potentially harmful bacteria with them, which can be transmitted to humans through infestations of food preparation areas in your home or business.

American Cockroach Environment

American cockroaches prefer warm, damp environments and can often be found outdoors around drains, garbage bins, trees and wood piles. When these roaches venture inside homes in search of food, they often live in damp areas such as basements, garages, kitchens and bathrooms. Outside, they are frequently found in bat caves and hollow trees. In more urban cities and areas such as Albuquerque, they are commonly found in sewers, storm drainage systems, prisons, factories, hospitals, and hotels.

American Cockroach Habits and Threats

American cockroaches have the ability to bite, although they rarely do. These cockroaches are considered dangerous pests because they breed and feed in unsanitary areas close to humans, such as garbage storage, sewage systems, and septic tanks. American cockroaches have a characteristic odor when present and can contaminate human foods and surfaces with their feces and body parts. Foraging cockroaches can also be vectors of disease, depositing germs or bacteria in areas they inhabit and causing asthma attacks in some people sensitive to cockroach allergens. For these reasons, always contact your local cockroach exterminator when you have an American roach problem in or near your property.